Credit Cards

If you have credit card debt, you probably scan your statement for the minimum payment and think, “Great, that’s all I owe this month.”  It’s true: when you make minimum payments, you won’t accrue late fees and you’ll stay in good standing with your lender, but there’s more going on under the surface.  Making minimum […]

You’re at the checkout counter, and your card gets declined. You know your balance has been climbing, but you didn’t realize you’d hit the limit so soon. 

Keeping up with multiple credit card payments every month is stressful enough. Add in varying interest rates, different due dates and balances that barely seem to budge, and it is easy to feel like you’re working hard without making real progress. Consolidating your credit card debt could change that picture.

When you use a credit card, all your purchases are organized into spending categories. These labels help your bank, budgeting tools and credit card rewards program understand where your money is going, accurately apply fees, help you earn rewards or be protected from fraud.  What are Merchant Category Codes? Every time you make a purchase, […]

Ever made a minimum payment on a credit card bill? We’ve all done it, and maybe even made a habit of it. But minimum payments’ convenience can cost you a lot more in money and time, ultimately making it harder to get out of debt. Let’s break down why that is — and what you […]

Getting approved for a credit card can feel like a win. It’s exciting (and tempting) when you’re given access to a high spending limit! Unfortunately, just because you have access to a high limit doesn’t mean you should treat it like spendable income. In fact, that mentality could be part of what’s keeping you stuck. […]

No doubt about it, credit cards are convenient. It’s easier to swipe a credit card at the checkout than it is to pay cash, especially if you’re short at the moment pay day is a week away.  But with credit cards risk is always right around the corner if you’re not cautious. Why Credit Cards […]

Your debt is no mystery, but those extra fees tacked onto your bills are a different story. Deciphering and dealing with the hidden costs of credit card debt can sometimes feel like sleuthing — and lucky for you, we’ve been on this beat for a long time.  Credit cards and personal loans have sneaky interest […]

If you’ve worked hard to pay off your credit cards — or you’re almost there — you’ve already done something huge. But how do you keep from falling into the credit card trap again? Credit cards can be helpful, but they also make it easy to fall back into bad habits if you’re not careful. […]

Maxing out your credit card is frustrating. Not only is it a sign that you’ve been overspending, but it can also damage your credit score. If you’re struggling to pay off your balance, don’t worry – there are ways to rebound from a maxed out credit card.