Finance Globe

The federal funds rate, set by Federal Reserve, is the basis for the interest rates set by most financial institutions. While the rate directly affects the interest rate that banks loan money to each other overnight, it also indirectly impacts the interest rates for many other types of financial products. If you're carrying a credit card balance, you could be affected. How Fed Rates and Credit Card Rates Are Related Most credit cards have a variable...

If there is anything you don’t like about your credit card company it’s important to understand your options. For example, there may come a point when you call your company, discuss your situation, and ask if there is anything they can do for you. If you ask your credit card company for one or more of the following, don’t be surprised if they comply: •    Bonus points. This one is simple: you tell your credit card...

 There are some rewards credit cards on the market right now. Most rewards credit cards are currently offering a great signup bonus if you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months of having your credit card . Earning credit card rewards gives you an extra benefit for spending you would have done anyway. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your credit card rewards. Pick the right rewards credit card...

Many major credit cards provide car rental insurance, alllowing you to ditch the car rental agency’s expensive daily plan and save money on the cost of your rental. Before you rent, here are a few essential things to know. You must pay for the rental with your credit card . Coverage only applies when you use your credit card or rewards points to pay for the rental. You must decline the car rental agency’s collision damage...

Whether you’re traveling for vacation or for business, the last thing you want is to run into issues with your credit card. That kind of stress can make it difficult to enjoy your trip and worse, leave you without a source of funding. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while you’re traveling to make sure your payment methods are protected. Let your credit card issuer know if you’re going out of the country...

The foreign transaction fee isn't the most common credit card fee, but it’s one you should look out for even if you don’t travel frequently. A foreign transaction fee is charged as a percentage of purchases or ATM withdrawals you make in other currencies. Typically, you’ll pay around 3% of the transaction in a foreign transaction fee. That’s $3 on a $100 transaction. It seems like such a small fee, but if you’re frequently making transactions...

This may be an obvious statement, but since I haven't spoke on credit card debt in a few posts I wanted to reiterate it. Credit card debt is one of the worst kinds of debt! Avoid it as much as possible! People who are not financial savvy or are not informative on personal finances can easily get sucked in by credit card companies. While I put the ultimate responsibility on the consumer, credit card companies know...

When you apply for a credit card , you probably want to know whether you’re approved right away. Thanks to technology, there are many credit cards that can give you an instant approval decision in under a minute. If you apply for a credit card online, chances are, the credit card issuer will be able to tell you right away whether your application is approved. Instant Approval vs. Guaranteed Approval When you’re making an application, keep...

Airline rewards credit cards allow you to earn points or miles that you can accumulate and redeem for free flights. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or you only take an annual vacation, an airline credit card can help you offset the cost of travelling. Here are a few things you should consider when you’re choosing an airline credit card . Look at the signup bonus. A signup bonus is a lump sum of rewards you can...

​Credit card debt is one of the worst kinds of debt you can have. You may have had good reasons to accumulate the high interest debt, but you should try to eliminate the debt as soon as possible. You need to create an action plan to help you reduce and eventually eliminate your credit card debt. Below are several strategies and tips to help you eliminate your credit card debt.  Create a plan of action -...