Topic: Credit CARD Act
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Three best ways (and three worst ways) to finance holiday shopping
Consumers tend to rack up a lot of credit card debt during the fourth quarter, largely due to holiday expenses. This year, by one estimate, the average holiday shopper is on track to spend around $800. For many, that means financing, which remains a double-edged sword despite historically low interest rates and an array of new consumer protections. It can either save you a lot of money in interest and fees or trip you up with caveats buried in fine print that drastically inflate your expenses. Here are three of the best and three of the worst financing offers for holiday shoppers in 2012:
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First credit card? Five key tips for college students.
If getting a credit card is a rite of passage for college students, choosing the right plastic and learning how to use it responsibly is a matter of life and debt. Young people age 18 to 24, carry an average credit card debt of $2,002, according to CreditKarma.com. Before you end up as a debt statistic, learn to pick the right card and manage your credit before getting your hands on plastic. Here are five things every new credit cardholder should know:
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Getting bin Laden and five other boosts to Obama's reelection bid
"Yes We Can” was so 2008. Now President Obama is the incumbent, with a record to defend. Here are his top six accomplishments, including the killing of Osama bin Laden.
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Gift cards: Stuck with one? Sell it.
Gift cards are supposed to be the easy answer for that person on your holiday list who has everything. But with $30 billion worth of cards unredeemed, there’s clearly something wrong. Here are four tips if you’re stuck with one you’ll never use – or thinking of buying one for someone else.
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Three best ways (and three worst ways) to finance holiday shopping
Consumers tend to rack up a lot of credit card debt during the fourth quarter, largely due to holiday expenses. This year, by one estimate, the average holiday shopper is on track to spend around $800. For many, that means financing, which remains a double-edged sword despite historically low interest rates and an array of new consumer protections. It can either save you a lot of money in interest and fees or trip you up with caveats buried in fine print that drastically inflate your expenses. Here are three of the best and three of the worst financing offers for holiday shoppers in 2012:
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Parents spending less on students’ college expenses, study says
A new study by student loan lender Sallie Mae finds that parents are spending less to help their children pay for college. Choosing less expensive schools and living at home are two ways families are limiting costs.
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Saving Money
Credit cards: Top 5 cards for gradsCredit cards for high school and college graduates offer cash back and, most importantly, no annual fee. If you're not sure you qualify for regular credit cards, there's an option for you, too.
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Saving Money
Credit cards bring back no-fee, no-interest offersCredit cards offer zero-percent balance transfer with no transfer fees to new customers. Zero-percent credit cards are a good deal, if consumers make sure they stay out of debt.
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First credit card? Five key tips for college students.
If getting a credit card is a rite of passage for college students, choosing the right plastic and learning how to use it responsibly is a matter of life and debt. Young people age 18 to 24, carry an average credit card debt of $2,002, according to CreditKarma.com. Before you end up as a debt statistic, learn to pick the right card and manage your credit before getting your hands on plastic. Here are five things every new credit cardholder should know:
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Credit cards: How high does your card rank?
Credit card companies are getting higher marks from consumers, according to a J.D Power study.
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Getting bin Laden and five other boosts to Obama's reelection bid
"Yes We Can” was so 2008. Now President Obama is the incumbent, with a record to defend. Here are his top six accomplishments, including the killing of Osama bin Laden.
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Credit cards? Nah! Americans moving to cash, debit cards.
Credit cards are losing their luster as a method of payment, especially among young adults.
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Gift cards: Stuck with one? Sell it.
Gift cards are supposed to be the easy answer for that person on your holiday list who has everything. But with $30 billion worth of cards unredeemed, there’s clearly something wrong. Here are four tips if you’re stuck with one you’ll never use – or thinking of buying one for someone else.
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Debit card fees: Senate votes for limits, seeking to aid consumers
Retailers are the ones paying debit card fees, but the idea is that if the costs were lowered, retailers might then pass some of the savings along to consumers.
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Opinion: New credit card rules: a punishment for responsible borrowers
The Credit CARD Act will mean higher fees, higher interest rates, and lower bonus points.
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New credit card laws 2010 still have 'gotchas.' Here are five steps to avoid them.
The most sweeping reforms of President Obama's new credit card laws went into effect Monday. But consumers must take these steps to avoid the 'gotchas.'
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New credit card laws 2010: How will I benefit?
New credit card laws in 2010 will put an end to some confusing billing practices and retroactive interest-rate hikes. They took effect Monday.
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New credit-card rules: How do they affect you?
Provisions in a new consumer-protection law take effect Thursday. Phase 2 kicks in next February.
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