Major corporations are losing massive amounts of consumer information due to data breaches. Most recently, Yahoo reported a breach of more than 500 million accounts. It is the biggest data breach in history (as of September 2016). The impact of having your information exposed in a data breach depends on the type of information stolen. Basic information alone – email addresses, usernames, and passwords – typically enough to commit fraud or identity theft. But if hackers...
Whether or not you carry more than one credit card is a personal decision. While some people like the thought of doing so, others don’t see a point in cluttering their wallet (or purse) with more plastic. Below, we’re going to examine some of the benefits of having multiple cards: • You can have a separate credit card for emergencies, online shopping, or any other type of activity that you want to more easily track. • ...
Can you think of anything worse than finding that you owe the IRS a large chunk of money? If you find yourself in this position, you can’t dwell on the past. Instead, you need to determine what went wrong and decide how you’re going to pay the money you owe. The best option is to pay your taxes in full, with cash, and then move on. Of course, this is not possible for many people. At...
Have you come to the conclusion that your credit card interest rate is entirely too high? If so, you have a few options. First and foremost, you can close the credit card and move on. If this doesn’t work for you, think about paying off your balance and not using the card. Of course, there is one last idea to consider: negotiate a lower credit card rate. This is easier said than done, but it’s definitely...
With so many gas credit cards to choose from, there’s a good chance that you’ll find one that suits your every requirement. Of course, you don’t want to apply for the first offer you find. Instead, you want to compare your options to ensure that you’re making the right decision. Above all else, your gas credit card should save you money at the pump. For example, you could receive 5 cents back on every gallon of...
Are you in the process of applying for a credit card? Are you ready to make your big move in the near future? If you find yourself in this position, there are things you should and should not be doing. Here are five things to avoid at all costs if you’ll be applying for a credit card soon. 1. Let your credit score drop. All in all, this is the one thing that credit card companies...
There are many risks associated with using a credit card. At the top of the list is the inability to pay your bill when the time comes. If you find yourself in this position, it’s not time to panic just yet. Instead, there are a few key steps you should take: 1. Try to collect enough money for the minimum payment. You don’t have to pay your balance in full. As long as you can scrape...
Are you thinking about applying for your first credit card? Before you begin your search and fill out an application, there are a few things you need to know. 1. The benefits of a credit card. In short, you want to know why this is a good idea from a financial perspective. 2. The potential risks of carrying a credit card. Despite the many benefits, you may soon realize that there are some drawbacks as well....
Are you in the process of comparing reward credit cards? If so, you know there are hundreds of options to choose from. While each offer is worth your consideration, there will come a point when you need to make a final decision. If you’re on the fence and unsure of how to move forward, here are several questions to answer: • How do you earn points with the credit card?• What can the points be redeemed...
There are many good reasons to close a credit card account, such as if you are worried about excessive spending in the future. And while this could have a negative impact on your credit score, you may still decide to move forward. If you find that closing an account is the best option, there are some basic steps you should take: 1. Contact the appropriate party. You can find the customer service number on the back...
