Credit Card Basics

Credit cards have, somewhat unfairly, developed a reputation as an easy way to pay for something when you may not have the money to do it upfront. In reality, they’re so much more than that when you use them right and they come with many benefits. So, we’ve put together a guide that’ll detail what...

If you have a spending problem or are struggling to keep up with payments, tucking away your credit card once it’s paid off may seem like a responsible and reasonable choice. But there are potential consequences to the “out of sight, out of mind” strategy you should be aware of. Not using a credit card...

Credit cards can make your financial life more convenient and more rewarding. Yet, at the same time, they are serious financial tools. Using credit cards is a privilege, not a right. And no bank is obligated to approve you for a credit card account. It’s also important to remember that your bank can choose to...

Rejection never feels good. But if your credit card application is denied, that uncomfortable feeling of rejection may be laced with some other unpleasant emotions — namely worries about your credit scores. Perhaps you’ve heard that a credit card denial will hurt your credit scores. Thankfully, that is not true. Keep reading for more details...

Whether you’ve got a card collecting dust somewhere or you’re not happy with a card issuer, there may come a day when you decide to close a credit card. But, before you call your credit card company and break the news to them, make sure you understand the potential consequences of your decision. Closing credit...

The main difference between charge cards and credit cards is how much you have to pay off each billing cycle compared to how much you owe: Charge cards generally require that you pay off the full amount you spend on the card each month. Credit cards only require that you pay off some minimum amount of the total balance...

Have you found yourself in credit card debt? Are you paying interest every month? Does it feel impossible to make a dent in your credit card balances because you’re paying so much interest? A balance transfer is a way to move credit card debt from one credit card to another with the goal of saving...

Are you feeling buyer’s remorse about a credit card you just got? Maybe you felt pressured into getting a credit card at your favorite store’s checkout line, but now you’ve changed your mind. You may feel compelled to simply avoid activating the card — after all, if it’s not activated, the account’s not open, right?...

Looking to build your credit fast? Becoming an authorized user on a responsible person’s credit card can be a quick path to building credit without a credit check. If you already have great credit established, adding a trustworthy authorized user to your card can help you earn more rewards more quickly, while helping someone else...

A stolen credit card may sound like a nightmare. But as long as you notice the lost card and act quickly, this situation should be no cause for alarm. If your credit card is used without your permission, your liability for fraudulent charges is limited by law. Plus, the major credit card networks all have...

You’ve heard your friend rave about their travel rewards card, which lets them escape to Hawaii for free each year. And you’ve heard about the money your friend saves with their cash back credit card, which earns them money back on every purchase they make. You’d like to visit Hawaii, and you’d like to get...

Picture it: You get to the cash register and crack open your wallet. If you’re like a lot of us, you instinctively pull out your trusty piece of plastic — it’s either your debit card or your rewards credit card. But have you ever stopped to wonder if your card of choice is actually the...

Consumers these days certainly have no shortage of credit card options available to them. In fact, there are so many choices across credit card networks and issuing banks that it can get downright confusing. But how you fill your wallet with the right credit cards will be a different process for you than it will...

Ever heard of a credit limit? A credit limit is the maximum amount of money you can spend before you need to pay off some of your credit card’s balance. Depending on the credit card and user, the balance can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Your credit limits...

Wanna hear something crazy? There are 10 trillion possible combinations of credit card numbers out in the universe, and card issuers are only using about 65 million of them. With odds like that, the statistical likelihood that a criminal will chance upon a valid account number — and then upon your account number — is very low....

When you look in your wallet, you might find an array of cards looking back at you. While the card colors and designs may vary, all credit cards have consistent information found on them. Let’s take a look at what’s on a credit card. Front of a Credit Card Credit card design trends are ever-changing,...

Ready to kiss your debt goodbye? Or want to avoid accruing debt in the first place? Many financial experts will tell you to completely eschew credit cards, with some going as far as calling them “evil.” While credit cards can certainly lead to unmanageable (and yes, evil) debt, we also believe they can be a...

Do you have too many big bills lumped together each month? Learn how you can move the due date on your credit card bill.