Credit Help

January 13, 2010

Understanding Cash-Back Credit Cards: Good or Bad Idea?

Getting a credit card that offers cash back always sounds like a good idea.  What could be better than getting cash back on all the purchases that you make with your credit card?  It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?  

Well, there are cards that give you free cash, but it is usually only around 1% cash back.  However, free money is free money, right?  Well, sometimes according to the credit-card guides

If you like to buy a lot of things in one month, this kind of credit card probably sounds great to you.  However, you need to keep in mind that they are not going to give you cash back on every purchase that you make.  Even if they claim to give you cash back on every purchase, they will only give you up to a certain amount per transaction.  The company also has a strict limit on the amount that they will give back to their customers.  If you read the little, bitty print on the form that you signed, you will see a paragraph with their limits in the terms and agreements. 

This is another way to try to draw in new customers for these companies.  It is a good credit card to have and sounds great in theory, but they will have to check your credit rating before they will give you their card. 

Research different credit card companies to see what they are offering.  You may be surprised to find a cash back credit card that offers you just what you need and want with a high cash back percentage, few limits on the amount they will give you back, and instant cash deposits when you make each purchase with their card. 

Although these credit cards seem like a great thing to have, some companies will need your credit rating to be great too.  However, there are credit card companies that offer these cards to people with a low credit rating to help them rebuild their credit.  Research all of your options. 

What should your decision be?  If you have a good credit rating, then this card is a great option for you.  Research different card companies – there are cards out there that offer you up to 3% cash back and impose very few limits.  If, however, you have a bad credit rating, you may want to find a credit card that will help you rebuild your credit. 

This article’s author also writes for other sites in which you may have an interest.  They range in topic from affordable insurance quotes to even a site about florida bad credit mortgages.

Filed under Beyond Random Ramblings by Arjuna

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September 26, 2009

Credit Repair Services - 5 Hints

If you are in the market for credit repair services, it’s a good idea to know up front what should be expected. In general, most people don’t know what should be expected from a credit repair company, and this is why they cannot judge what is the best credit repair services they can get. Lots of trustworthy companies will offer you a great deal on the terms of services, but basically you need to look out for the following 5 points:

1.The charges - rogue agencies usually insist that you pay their fees up front. This is because they will rarely deliver what they promise they’re aware you’re not going to pay them once you’ve found out. Normally, a reputable agency will charge the fees in a pre-determined pattern that charges for initial services and subsequent monthly payments.

The fees will always be commensurate to the services offered. Ensure that you research the market closely both at the regional and national level so you will have a good idea.

2.Making sure your credit report is correct - competent credit repair services include correspondence with the 3 major credit bureaus, will correspond repeatedly with the three credit bureaus. until all the erroneous entries are removed from your credit report.

3.Provide financial education - your relationship with the agency will be temporary. This is why you must learn good money management on your own. It’s part of the best credit repair services to help you become self-sufficient..The company will help you along until you know how to regularly monitored your credit report, how to get errors removed, and most importantly educate you in the matters of sound financial principles so you can maintain the highest possible credit score.

4.Individual customization - a lot of agencies will utilize credit repair software in providing your services. But this alone is inadequate. Everyone’s situation is unique, and the “cookie-cutter” approach of a computerized service alone will not do the job. The best credit repair services will shun the “cookie-cutter” approach and individualize their services based on your situation, irregardless of how useful such software can be.

5.Work within the legal framework - reputable credit repair services will always use legal means and tactics. If you have the least suspicion that the company is doing otherwise, dump them posthaste!

Even though you may feel that improvement in your credit score is urgent, or change your credit history to leave out things like debt collections and bankruptcy - it’s important to know this cannot always be accomplished in every case.  Agencies that promise they can do this use illegal means, and if you go along with them, you become an accomplice. This is certainly not in your best interest.

may well provide other services in addition to those stated but you should consider these to be the minimum expected, Talk to others you know and ask if they can recommend a company with which they’ve had good dealings.

Alternatively inquire about references before you register for their services. In addition, check with the “watchdog” of credit repair companies, the Ethical Credit Repair Alliance. Do not be afraid to ask for clarifications until you are satisfied that you are getting the best!

Filed under Beyond Random Ramblings by Arjuna

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June 21, 2009

Uses Of Credit Cards

It is interesting to note how fast things change our world. Credit cards, for example, used to be a privilege to have, but they have almost become a necessity nowadays. In fact, a lot of people carry not just one but many different credit cards. Why do many people find them so necessary?

First is the convenience factor. Credit cards can be much more convenient when compared with cash, because you do not need to carry cash with you in order to make a purchase, just one piece of plastic. Credit cards are now accepted almost anywhere, and unlike cash, they can be used for online shopping.

The second benefit of credit cards is emergency help. If you run into a financial problem or an emergency situation and need immediate money, your credit card is easily accessible for help. Especially when compared to the alternative of waiting for your paycheck, credit cards come in very handy in an emergency.

Not only can credit cards save you in emergencies, but they also offer many options in everyday life. For example, shopping is very convenient, and often offers discounted rates over retail shopping. In fact, many items today are only available online, so you could miss out on opportunities if you do not have a credit card to shop online.

In addition, you can use a credit card to buy something that you need now, but pay it off later. In other words, you will not have to wait for the next several paychecks to save up for something that would be useful to have now.

Credit cards are also much safer to carry than cash. You do not have to show a stack of bills when paying for a purchase, which can be an invitation to muggers or thieves. On the other hand, credit cards are not such an invitation to steal. They can easily be traced, unlike cash. If your credit card is stolen or misplaced, you can get it blocked simply by making a phone call, thus making it unusable. On the other hand, cash can be stolen and used by the thief without you having any ability to trace it or get it back.

An additional benefit to using credit card is the discounts they often offer. Many businesses, including airlines, car rental agencies, and hotels offer discounts when you pay using a particular card. Some cards offer a certain percentage back if you buy certain items on your credit card, and many have affiliations with certain merchants.

Many credit cards now have a membership flexible rewards program, which rewards points based on purchases. These points can be exchanged for goods once enough are accumulated.

Travel insurance, often for free, is another credit card benefit. For people who travel often, this is a very valuable service. Combined with the car rental and hotel discounts, credit cards can be great for travelers.

With so many benefits to offer, it is easy to see why credit cards have become a necessity.

Filed under Beyond Random Ramblings by Arjuna

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