Don’t Get Caught in the Minimum Payment Trap
Smart shoppers know to look for good deals. We look for ads in the Sunday paper, listen for commercials on the radio, and hear from our friends about our favorite stores having a sale. When…
Mary Tomkins
Mary Tomkins is a freelance writer located in Spartanburg, SC, with emphasis on economic news and research on the financial industry.
Get the Most From Your Credit Card
Credit cards can be a valuable money management tool if used properly. We have many choices in card features, perks, and rewards. Getting the most out of any credit card starts with choosing the one…
Variable Rate vs Fixed Rate Credit Cards
Smart consumers know to shop for credit cards based on the cost of using that credit. The card’s annual percentage rate, or APR, is often one of the first factors many consider when choosing a…
Your Credit – Creditors Aren’t the Only Ones Looking
We are all aware that lenders routinely consider our credit report when we apply for credit. We would only expect them to. But do you realize that your credit report can be seen by others…
Your Credit Score
Your credit score is the three-digit number that lenders obtain from a credit bureau in an attempt to sum up your credit risk. Your credit score gives lenders a snapshot of your credit and debt…
Chase Credit Cards, Something for Everyone
Chase Bank History Chase Bank is the consumer and commercial division of JP Morgan Chase, and has a history in the banking business of over two hundred years. The first predecessor in Chase’s history was…
Teach Your Kids About Smart Money Management
It’s funny that many of us moved out of our parent’s home and proceeded to live our grown-up lives without ever learning much about financial responsibility and money management. I remember taking a semester in…
Choosing a Mutual Fund
There are thousands of mutual funds to choose from, with different investment styles, risk factors, and expenses. How do you choose the one that’s right for you? There’s no one size fits all with investing,…
The History of Credit and Credit Cards
The ancient credit and debt system Merchants have been extending credit to buyers since ancient times. Credit was commonly used in Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt thousands of years ago. Since the days when people traded…
Joint Credit Card Accounts
Many happy couples want to share everything…share a meal, share a home, share a credit card. Wait! Share a credit card? Consider the risks and rewards of opening a joint account with someone, before you…