What should you know about the business practices of credit card companies? How do credit card companies change credit card limits? What reasons do credit card companies give for changing credit card limits? How can you protect yourself when using a credit card? Learn more here about credit cards and your personal finance.
Need a Credit Card Fast? Choosing Wisely Reduces Financial Stress Later
Need a credit card fast? If you choose that credit card wisely, it can reduce financial stress caused later by soaring APRs and a multitude of late fees. And remember: While credit cards and credit card debt can be a huge source of financial stress, particularly if you build up a significant balance, they can [...]
How to Build a Black Friday, Holiday Shopping Budget Plan
The holiday shopping season is upon us, and it’s the time of year when your budget (and your pantry) is most strained. But you can limit the damage by building a Black Friday/holiday shopping budget plan. You’ll need to keep your gift list tight and decide in advance how much you’ll spend on each person. [...]
How Pulling Your Credit Report Impacts Your Credit Score, and Other Credit Score Facts
Accessing or “pulling” your credit report allows you to review your credit behavior. You can see what lenders are reporting about you while you monitor your payment history. Checking your credit report should be a regular part of your routine financial behavior, similarly to reviewing your bank statements or creating a budget. Some consumers are [...]
New Year’s Financial Resolutions for 2012
We all should have New Year's Financial resolutions to help guide us in 2012 and improve our financial health during these financial hard times. Are you tired of thinking about your finances? The Great Recession has had a lasting impact on how we think about and manage our money, especially those of us who have [...]
Personal Finance Resolutions You Can Make (and Keep) in 2011
Personal finance resolutions you can make and keep in 2011. Personal finance resolutions for 2011 include: how to make a family budget, how to stick to a budget, pay off your charge card, invest in retirement plans. Make personal finance resolutions in 2011 and keep personal finance resolutions in 2011. Resolutions for 2011 include personal finance resolutions. Savings accounts, budgets, 529 plans and credit rating are part of personal finance resolutions you can make and keep in 2011.
The Numbers: Here’s What 2008 Looked Like
As we end the year, it's hard to picture just how awful a year this was. It's even harder to imagine what 2009 will be like if 2008 was this bad. One...
Today On The Clark Howard Show December 23, 2008
Today on the Clark Howard Show, we'll cover the economy, shopping, and a new scary credit card scam that has made its way to Atlanta. On the Economy:...
Credit Card Consolidation Impacts Credit Score
Does it hurt your credit score if you close credit card accounts? Credit bureaus monitor how long you've had each credit card in determining your credit score so closing a long-held credit card could have a negative impact. But if you're generally responsible with your credit cards by paying them off every month and thus not carrying a balance your credit score may not drop significantly. It's important to know your credit score when you're applying for a home loan.
Credit Card Debt Balance Transfer
If you currently have a credit card with debt and a high interest rate, consider transferring the balance to a lower-interest credit card. Transferring your credit card debt will help you pay off your debt quicker, improve your credit history and increase your credit score. But remember to double-check that your entire balance has been completely cleared after transferring your credit card debt to a new card.
Cyber Monday Deals: How to Find Them
Tomorrow is Cyber Monday, where everyone goes back to work after the Thanksgiving holiday and begins shopping online (instead of working perhaps?). If...