Money missteps happen to all of us, especially during a tough economy. All too often, emotions can affect our financial decisions. If you’re doing any of these things now, consider these moves instead to work toward lasting financial well-being.
credit
Demystifying Your Credit Score
These three little numbers can mean getting the best interest rates on loans, credit cards, insurance, buying a car or house, or even landing a job. The higher your score, the lower rates you’ll enjoy, and vice versa. But if you have questions about how your credit score is determined, or why you have more than one, you’re not alone. Here are answers to some common questions.
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How to Protect Your Credit During Tough Times
During financial setbacks, the priority shifts to taking care of the essentials. If your credit health has slid down a few rungs on the priority ladder, it’s time to take action. ignoring your credit now could cause financial harm long after you’re back on solid ground.
Don’t Overlook These Credit Card Perks
If you’ve spent months saving for a big-ticket item like a new refrigerator or a giant flat-screen TV, paying for it with cash might be a mistake. Credit cards offer numerous benefits frequently overlooked in the name of “saving money.” But, not using plastic might wind up costing you big. In fact, your 16-digit account number could be the key to unlocking deep discounts, additional buyer protections, and other money-saving perks.
4 Credit Card Benefits That Save Time and Money
Credit cards offer more than just a convenient way to pay for things in stores and online. There’s also the increased purchasing power and potential for cash rewards that make them attractive. But, it’s the lesser-known and often underutilized credit card benefits that could hold the key to additional savings. A recent J.D. Power study found that only 36% of credit cardholders1 fully understand all their card’s benefits. Surprisingly, such perks can bring the most value to your finances.
Smart Ways to Use your Credit Card
Credit cards offer a convenient way to spend and manage your money. Here are some tips to help you make purchases, stay secure and take advantage of the benefits they offer.
6 Tips to Protect Your Credit Card
For many of us, credit cards are an easy and convenient way to make purchases, doing away with the need for carrying cash or checks. But taking precautions when using them can help guard against credit card fraud.
It’s a Money Thing: 4 Credit Score Myths Debunked
Credit scores are an area of personal finance that seem a lot more mysterious than they actually are. Many people believe that improving them is a matter of trial and error and, as a result, there’s a lot of “credit score advice” floating around that can end up doing more harm than good. Four common credit score myths have been rounded up and debunked below:
How to Play the Credit Card Game
When was the last time you shopped around for a credit card? Here’s why you should. Continue reading
It’s a Money Thing: How to Overcome ‘Credit Card Shyness’
News outlets and credit card companies are quick to label millennials as being credit card-shy. According to a recent survey, millennials apparently fear their credit card debt more than climate change, the threat of war and even death. It may sound like an overreaction, but the underlying trend is substantial: millennials are carrying fewer cards and have lower balances, compared to the previous generation of young adults.