Want to scare your bank this Halloween? Call up and ask some tough questions about how they treat their customers.That suggestion -- which is typically good for frightening lenders year round, by the way -- was the focus of my recent blog, "Posing tough credit card questions to your bank."
Living with credit 330 New , interesting products 80 Research , regulation , industry reports 206 Rewards 32 Protecting yourself 130 The fine print 53 Credit card miscellany 335 Add category 1 Print Email The check is often not in the mail or even in the wallet Connie Prater October 21, 2010 Living with credit How often do you write checks these days A growing number of people have given up check writing as electronic , plastic and online payment methods have expanded . That's why I'm a bit puzzled by a new campaign called : Stand up for your right to write checks A press release about the campaign quotes the results of a telephone poll of 1,005 adults conducted July 17-21, 2010. More than a third of respondents 38 percent said they would consider walking out of or not returning to a
Living with credit 327 New , interesting products 80 Research , regulation , industry reports 204 Rewards 32 Protecting yourself 130 The fine print 51 Credit card miscellany 334 Add category 1 Print Email Oktoberfest-themed carnival includes Southern scores blog post Jeremy Simon October 8, 2010 Credit card miscellany I've never been to Germany , but living in Central Texas can make you feel culturally close to the beer and wurst of Deutschland . And now , one of my blog posts has made a carnival celebrating the country's annual Oktoberfest event . For the latest Carnival of Personal Finance host Alpha Consumer has chosen an Oktoberfest theme for her collection of blog posts from the best of the web's money writers . The carnival includes my recent blog post , The South : We're poor ,
Before making a major purchase -- such as a car, home or costly appliance -- you probably ask the salesperson some tough questions. But do you pose similarly challenging inquiries to the bank when you're applying for a credit card?The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) thinks you should.
: , Living with credit 330 New , interesting products 80 Research , regulation , industry reports 206 Rewards 32 Protecting yourself 130 The fine print 53 Credit card miscellany 335 Add category 1 Print Email Emily's list : Oil spill , six months later edition Emily Starbuck Gerson October 22, 2010 Living with credit It's hard to believe , but it's been six months since BP's devastating oil rig explosion and subsequent leak took place . Although the oil was contained some time ago , the incident is far from resolved . According to USA Today scientists and government officials are still tallying the number of injured and dead wildlife and documenting the damage to shorelines and marshes . They say the work to fully restore the area could take . years Lingering problems such as the oil spill
: Living with credit 328 New , interesting products 80 Research , regulation , industry reports 204 Rewards 32 Protecting yourself 130 The fine print 52 Credit card miscellany 334 Add category 1 Print Email Emily's list : The rise of the Phoenix edition Emily Starbuck Gerson October 14, 2010 Living with credit Since August , much of the world has been captivated with the story of the 33 Chilean miners trapped inside a collapsed mine . From Aug . 5 until this week , the men have lived half a mile below the earth's surface in an area the size of a small apartment . Worker Patricio Sepulveda is lowered in the rescue capsule Fenix to help retrieve trapped miners from the San Jose mine near Copiapo , Chile on Oct . 13, 2010. Source : Hugo Infante Government of Chile At first , nobody was sure
It's a sign of the times. As consumers shy away from making credit card purchases and running up debt, layaway programs at retailers like Kmart and Sears are making a resurgence.
But they aren't alone. Now even some pawn shops are getting in on the layaway act.
Outside one Value Pawn and Jewelry shop in Tampa, Fla., a banner with Santa Claus, one of his reindeer and a Christmas tree proclaims "Layaway now for Christmas." Put 10 percent down, and the purchase is interest free till the jolly old elf arrives.
: Living with credit 326 New , interesting products 80 Research , regulation , industry reports 204 Rewards 32 Protecting yourself 130 The fine print 51 Credit card miscellany 334 Add category 1 Print Email Emily's list : Patience pays off edition Emily Starbuck Gerson October 6, 2010 Living with credit There have been rumors for years that the iPhone would be available to Verizon Wireless customers , but every time consumers and industry experts thought it was about to happen , it never did . Well , the time has finally come . Verizon customers no longer have to flee their cell phone contracts to get the beloved iPhone . A Verizon-friendly version of the iPhone will be on sale early next year , according to The Wall Street Journal AT T's monopoly on the popular mobile device is . ending
Credit Cards Blog Tips Advice Tips and Advice on How To Dispute An Erroneous Charge Tips and Advice on How To Dispute An Erroneous Charge Friday , October 29th , 2010 This month on your credit card statement you notice a charge that either you did not make or one where the total has been reported erroneously . You freak out a little , mad at everyone for messing up your bill and start worrying about how you’ll be able to fix the . mistake What do you do when you find a suspicous charge on your card statement With so many reports of scams and rip-offs related to credit cards consumers are right to wonder if they can effectively prove their case and remove an erroneous . charge Here are some great tips and advice on how to handle and dispute an erroneous charge on your credit card : bill Get
Credit Cards Blog Tips Advice Data Mining and Profiling by Card Issuers Is The Ultimate Mouse Trap Data Mining and Profiling by Card Issuers Is The Ultimate Mouse Trap Thursday , October 28th , 2010 Have you ever questioned the requirement of having to supply your zip code when cashing out on a credit purchase For many consumers , the assumption is zip codes are just a marketing tactic so the retailer can supply you with promotional materials , which many of us seem resigned to . However , it goes far beyond simple mailer coupons . What actually is happening is your zip code is helping the merchant build a profile on how you are . spending Through the simple process of entering seemingly miscellaneous information , card issuers are using data mining and profiling techniques to gain vast
Credit Cards Blog Card Security Credit Fraud Now Rampant in Help Wanted Ads Credit Fraud Now Rampant in Help Wanted Ads Wednesday , October 27th , 2010 The more things change the more they stay the same . It is no different with credit card fraud . Just when officials think they have the fraudsters figured out , the enterprising individuals add a new twist to the fraud ring . Credit fraud is now rampant in Help Wanted’ ads down under and is being used to taken advantage of job-seekers in . Australia Take for example some unsuspecting Australians recently looking of work . Little did they know that the job of dispatch manager’ was a ruse for a local credit card laundry service . The fraudsters posted job openings at legitimate job sites in hopes of landing unsuspecting law-abiding citizens
Credit Cards Blog Tips Advice Money Saving Card Features And Traps To Avoid Money Saving Card Features And Traps To Avoid Tuesday , October 26th , 2010 Before there can be any relief found in a credit card s monthly statement , consumers have to begin to study their spending habits . Some people think of it as a process similiar to weigh loss . If you want to lose weight , use more energy than you eat . That is , find a balance between exercise and proper eating habits and you’ll soon be able to manage a healthy body . weight Likewise if you want to save money . The saving money equation is simple money saved equals the money earned less the money spent . Luckily there are some money saving card features to help consumers establish a balance between their earnings and their spending , but
Credit Cards Blog Credit Card News Top 5 Most Worrisome Trends in the Credit Card Industry Top 5 Most Worrisome Trends in the Credit Card Industry Monday , October 25th , 2010 In today’s society , American’s have certainly grasped on to the security of credit cards In fact , most cardholders have 4-5 accounts and use a credit card for one of every four transactions they make . Even in light of the recent credit card crisis and the newly implemented CARD Act , it doesn’t seem to be stopping anyone from continuing their reliance on credit . cards However loyal people are to their credit cards , there are still some trends in the industry that may be a cause for concern . Experts watching the situation are beginning to forecast what it to come including these worrisome : trends 1. Increasing
Credit Cards Blog Tips Advice Check Out The True Identities of These Credit Card Identity Thieves Check Out The True Identities of These Credit Card Identity Thieves Wednesday , October 20th , 2010 In many ways , the identity thief is the most insidious type of modern-day criminal . It’s an ego boost to realize that somebody actually wants to be you , until they rack up credit card debt and buy an adult bookstore in your . name For those who have been victimized by identity theft , the most helpless feeling is not knowing who these bastards . are That’s all about to change , with the true-life identities including pictures of a few of these notorious credit card identity . thieves The Church Robber Troy Degrote Lakewood , CO DOB : 5 12 1973 Top Count : Identity Theft Meet Troy Degrote .
Credit Cards Blog Debt Consolidation Paying Off Your Card Balances with Your HELOC Good or Bad Paying Off Your Card Balances with Your HELOC Good or Bad Monday , October 18th , 2010 A home equity line of credit HELOC is often used by consumers who need to consolidate big debts . You use the equity built up in your current home to secure a loan . For instance , if your home is valued at 200,000 and you already have 75,000 in equity , you can use that money to consolidate other debts . Credit card balances in particular are one area where a home equity loan is used to eliminate the struggle for paying more than the minimum on each billing cycle . Depending on your financial circumstances , consolidating any debts , including credit card balances with a HELOC may or may not be a
Credit Cards Blog Tips Advice Best Financial Software to Track Your Expenses Best Financial Software to Track Your Expenses Monday , October 18th , 2010 Financial software is a great way to track your expenses and make sure your income is enough to cover them . Financial software will generally help you track all incoming money , expenses , and investments . Many programs will also connect to your online bank accounts and investment accounts , download information , and automatically update your financial software to reduce the time spent entering transactions and make it even easier to keep track of your financial . situation Whichever software you choose to help you monitor and track your expenses , the important thing is to stick with it Make it part of your regular routine for the best
Credit Cards Blog New Card Offers Manage Your Health Care Expenses With The Visa Healthcare Card Manage Your Health Care Expenses With The Visa Healthcare Card Wednesday , October 13th , 2010 Health care is a national concern . Lack of proper health care , expensive procedures or lack of coverage all together continues to be an issue across the country . Many programs such as the health care card are designed to help consumers tackle the growing costs of health . care How Visa Can Help with Health Care Costs Visa has long been known as a preferred choice for many credit card holders , offering a variety of benefits , perks and payment options for individuals , small businesses and employers , Visa now offers a health care card , specifically designed to manage expenses relating to health