Finance Globe

Are you interested in applying for a personal loan, but a bit unsure of your chance of obtaining an approval? While you can only do so much to improve your chance of securing funds, there are some key steps you can take to tilt the scales in your favor. Consider the following: •    Check and boost your credit score. As an unsecured loan, lenders take a strong look at your credit score before making a final...

This might be common knowledge to many, but there are people who have asked me what the differences are in debit cards and credit cards. Also if you want to teach your kids, below can be a reference guide to discuss the differences between a debit card and a credit card. Debit cards look and feel similar to credit cards. They are issued by major banks, such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo, and both...

Do you often worry about paying your credit card after the due date? Are you concerned about the impact it will have on your finances, including a late fee and red mark on your credit report? Since these are legitimate concerns, it’s time to strongly consider the many strategies you can employ to avoid late payments. Here are three to consider: 1. Conduct Regular Account Reviews As the month wears on, you should regularly review your...

Have you come to find that the interest rate attached to your current credit card is entirely too high? Do you enjoy everything else about your credit card? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you may want to contact your credit card company to see if there is anything they can do to help. By help, we mean one thing: lowering your interest rate. There is no guarantee that your credit card company...

Remember the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? That goes for your finances too. Whether you have a little money or a lot of it, taking steps to safeguard your finances is important for your future. Here are five easy ways to protect your finances. Choose FDIC-insured banks. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, is a government agency that ensures your bank deposits won't be lost in the event of...

Do you often walk away from the checkout line at the grocery store and wonder what happened? Do you immediately begin to think about the steps you could have taken to save money? In today’s day and age, with grocery prices on the rise, it’s more difficult than ever before to stay within your budget. Fortunately, you can make some basic changes to your strategy in order to save money and feel better about every trip...

Some of your favorite brands and retailers offer co-branded credit cards. These are credit cards that are partnered with a major retailer in addition to the bank who issues the credit card. Co-branded credit cards are similar to closed-loop store credit cards in that you can earn more rewards for shopping with that brand of store. But, co-branded credit cards are partnered with a major credit card processing network - American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Discover...

Having your credit card declined is both embarrassing and inconvenience. It’s not always necessarily your fault - sometimes there’s a problem on the credit card issuer’s end. Even the merchant may have technical issues that can cause your credit card to be declined. Before you panic, here are some reasons that explain why your credit card could be declined. You don’t have enough available credit. Some credit card issuers will allow you to exceed your credit...

In the past several weeks, you’ve probably noticed your gas prices creeping higher and higher each time you visit the gas pump. You’re especially feeling the pinch if you have an SUV or a vehicle that requires premium gas. Crude oil prices are at the highest level in more than three years, which means increasing gas prices may not slow down any time soon. Choosing the right credit card can help you alleviate some of the...

Carrying a credit card is a big responsibility, as there are a variety of potential mistakes lurking around every corner. Knowledge of these mistakes can go a long way in helping you avoid trouble, thus getting more out of your credit card and the many features it offers. Here are six credit card mistakes to avoid at all costs: •    Spending more than you can comfortably afford to pay back when your next bill comes due....