Balance Transfer Credit Card - Debt Consolidation

Balance transfer credit cards can provide an excellent option for debt consolidation. Many Americans are currently in debt and struggling for a way out. Some choose to use a home equity loan to help get themselves out of debt, but not everyone has a home with built up equity to use for this purpose. In addition, putting your home up as collateral for debt consolidation can be a bit nerve-wracking and many banks enforce annual maintenance fees and monetary penalties if you try to close the equity line before a specified period of time.
Rising Interest Rates
Anyone that has been a credit card holder for some time or who pays attention to the financial marketplace knows that credit card rates on many cards have been on the rise. Often, credit card companies are more than happy to increase interest rates when the prime rate is raised, but they are not so quick to bring the rates down when the prime rate decreases. By consolidating your debt with a balance transfer credit card, you can remove your debt from your high interest cards and place it on your card with a lower interest rate. The best balance transfer credit cards offer low introductory rates or low fixed rates on balance transfers, making them a great option for debt consolidation.
What to Look For
When looking for a balance transfer card for debt consolidation, you generally want to find the card with the lowest long-term rate. More than likely, you will be consolidating a debt that you will be unable to pay in a short period of time. If this is the case, your low interest introductory period may be over long before you are done paying off the debt.
You also need to be cautious about fees when looking to consolidate debt with a balance transfer credit card. Many credit cards charge a fee for transferring balances from another card onto theirs. The best balance transfer credit cards will not charge an additional fee. In addition, some balance transfer credit cards require transferred balances to be requested at the time of application for the card in order to be eligible for the special introductory offer. While this may be fine for some people, you might want to have the flexibility to transfer balances. In this case, you will want to select a card that allows you to transfer balances any time throughout the introductory period.
For the very best balance transfer credit cards, you will want to find one that maintains the low APR throughout the life of the balance you have transferred. In other words, a balance you transfer on a card may have a 0.00% APR for the first six months, but then rocket to 19.99% when the period is over. On the best balance transfer credit cards, however, the low introductory offer remains in place until you pay off the entire amount you have transferred.
Self-Discipline
Obviously, a balance transfer credit card cannot do all of the work for you. While you can consolidate all of your bills onto just one card, you will need to be disciplined enough to pay the balance off. If your introductory period expires after so many months, you should create a budgetary plan that will have the balance paid off by the time the period is over. You might need to cut out some of the extras, such as the cup of fancy coffee you grab every morning, to help create a little extra cash flow. It will be well worth it when you find yourself out of debt. In addition, the money you are saving in finance charges should be paid toward your credit card debt

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Bad Credit Credit Cards - Prepaid, Secured, or Unsecured

Bad credit, credit cards are just like regular credit cards but with much higher interest rates and usually an annual fee, sometimes $50 a year and higher. Bad credit, credit cards can save your credit or make it worse if your not careful. Bad credit cards with guaranteed approval are available, but usually these types of bad credit cards charge twice the amount in fees and interest rates. The average consumer needs to be sure they are mentally and financially able to take the responsibility of credit once again, before applying.
Debit Cards
To get a debit card you need to open an account with the bank of your choice and make a deposit to the account. The bank is not actually giving you any credit at all. The purchases that you make with the debit card are taken from the funds that were deposited into the account, be aware that most banks do not report debit card activity to the credit bureaus. Most credit experts recommend that you start rebuilding your credit from secured bank credit cards, and then in time when your credit starts to improve switch to unsecured ones. Orchard bank and First PREMIER bank are just a couple that have great options for repairing bad credit.
Credit Card Deals
Bad credit credit cards are considered the best choice for credit card deals if your credit score is below 550. In today's market there are many companies offering credit cards that are specifically designed for those who have less than a perfect credit score. Make sure you take your time to compare bad credit options thoroughly. once your credit score reaches the 650 range, you will be eligible for some of the best interest rates and lines of credit.
There are a few different types of bad credit credit cards available today: Prepaid, Secured, and Unsecured. Secured credit cards for bad credit usually have much better interest rates than unsecured cards for bad credit. Most APR rates on bad credit cards are very reasonable offered by credit card companies considering the risk they take on bad credit applicants.

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Bad Credit Credit Cards - Choosing The Right Credit Card

If you have bad credit, your credit card options are limited. Aside from many credit card companies denying your application, individuals with bad credit usually receive very low credit limits and additional fees.
When applying for a credit card, choosing the right card is essential. Here are a few tips to consider when selecting a credit card.
Take Advantage of Bad Credit Credit Cards
Before applying for a major credit card with a bank, carefully consider your credit rating. Credit card inquiries will decrease your credit score. Thus, avoiding too many inquiries is important. To do so, limit the number of times you apply for credit. Rather, choose one or two companies that are likely to approve your application.
For example, if your credit rating is bad, it's realistic to assume that the odds of getting approved are slim. With this said, it helps to research bad credit credit cards. Several companies issue unsecured and secured credit cards to people with bad credit. This is a great way to improve credit rating and re-establish a good credit history.
Criteria for Choosing a Bad Credit Credit Card
Although bad credit will stand in the way of obtaining low rates on a credit card, researching various companies and comparing offers is smart. Many credit card companies make claims of offering bad credit credit cards to help individuals improve their credit. However, some companies use this as the perfect opportunity to take advantage of people like you.
Before applying for a bad credit credit card, read the fine print for information pertaining to user fees. If choosing a secured card, you likely need to open a savings account and deposit at least $200. This deposit serves as collateral. Because your credit limit is the same as the deposit, if you refuse to pay the credit card, the lender simply claims your money.
In addition to opening a savings account, most secured bad credit credit cards have several upfront or startup fees. This might include a $50 annual fee, $10 monthly service fee, and $20 startup fee. Thus, there is a balance on the credit card before you even receive it.
Unfortunately, extra fees on a bad credit credit card are unavoidable. However, by carefully researching different online credit card companies, it is possible to find a company with lower fees, and one that offers a lower interest rate.

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Bad Credit Credit Card- Offered By Many Companies

Check-books and paying with cash is becoming less frequent as more people are using plastic to pay for purchases. Checkbooks are being replaced by debit cards and the use of credit cards is rising. Online shopping has helped fuel the need for a credit card. Unfortunately people with bad credit are normally not approved for a credit card. It is not hopeless, there are avenues for those with bad credit histories to enter or return to the world of plastic.
Bad credit - credit cards are offered by many companies. This became a necessity since individuals with low incomes or credit problems would be declined for a low interest, no fee credit card. Many of these companies use what is called Risk Based Pricing. What this does is they have several types of offerings with different interest rates. The rate they offer is based on your credit score. So if you apply for one card you may get declined but offered a card with a higher rate. This is an excellent way for someone with a bit of a negative credit history to be approved for a bad credit, credit card.
So what about those individuals with no credit or extremely negative credit? They may need to look at another type of bad credit, credit card. There are several companies that target these types of people. They offer what is called a starter card. This type of card has a very high interest rate and very low credit limit. There are also a substantial amount of fees normally connected with these cards.
These cards pale in comparison to the more normal type of credit card offers but the acceptance rate is high. By using, one of these bad credit, credit cards and keeping with the terms of the agreement, making payments on time in a period of time your credit rating will be more positive. This will allow you the opportunity to apply with a better chance of acceptance for a lower rate and more favorable term credit card.
There are some individuals with such critical credit problems, a recent bankruptcy for instance, that a starter card would not be an option. If this is the case the only solution that would be left is a prepaid credit card which is sometimes called a secured card. The fact they look like a credit card it the only similarity. They need to have funds deposited to use them. You are virtually guaranteed to be accepted for this type of bad credit, credit card.
They work the same as any Mastercard or Visa but you can only spend the amount of money you have deposited. This leaves very little risk to the card issuer since you can not incur any debt with them. Because the issuer of the card will not be making any money on monthly interest rates for the balance they make their money in other ways. The can charge a fee for applying, a annual fee, an administration fee even a small percentage for every time you purchase something with the card. You will want to research several companies before applying for this type of bad credit, credit card since these fees can vary greatly.
Basically what all this means if even with a bad credit rating, nearly everyone can find a bad credit, credit card. It may take some research but it can be accomplished.

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Bad Credit Credit Card - Research The Company

When you have a bad credit score obtaining a credit card can be some what more difficult. A lot of credit card companies will not approve your request. This then will make finding a bad credit, credit card extremely important. Now when you are applying for a credit card there are several important factors you need to consider.
First, if you have bad credit and are now in a better financial situation do not make the mistake of applying for every credit card offer there is. Your credit score will lower with every credit card request. To eliminate to many inquires, reduce your selections down to two or three companies that specialize in bad credit. The reason for this is that the likely-hood of being accepted is much better than it would be with a regular credit card company. This is a great first step in bringing your credit score back up to an acceptable level.
Before applying or accepting any offers from a credit card Company, it is always a good idea to research that company well and other various offers to compare. Most companies are attempting to help you change your situation, but there are some companies out there that use this as a time to take advantage of your already bad situation and use it for their benefit. Unfortunately, normally you will not be able to obtain a low interest rate credit card at first but some are still better than others when it comes to a bad credit credit card.
You will want to be sure to read all the disclosures and other info in regards to any user fees, penalties, and other possible costs. As an example; if you are applying for a secured card you need to open a savings account with that particular bank. This amount varies and will be the collateral for your credit card. So your credit limit will be the same as your savings account balance and if you do not pay the bank then they can claim it. In addition to the deposit most will have start-up fees, an annual fee and maybe a monthly service fee. Many companies will charge these fees to your credit card so you already have a balance before you actually receive the card.
You will probably not be able to do away with all the extra fees, such as above, that are associated with these types of credit cards. But if you read all the information from several companies you should be able to find the lowest interest rate and least amount of fees.

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Bad Credit, Credit Cards

When you have a bad credit rating obtaining a credit card is more difficult. Most credit card companies will just deny your request. This then makes finding a bad credit, credit card extremely important. Now when you are applying for a bad credit, credit card there are several important factors to consider.
First, if you have a bad credit and are now in a better financial situation do not make the mistake of applying for every credit card offer there is. Your credit score will lower with each credit card inquiry. To eliminate excessive inquires, reduce your selections down to one or two companies that specialize in bad credit, credit cards. The reason for this is the likely hood of being accepted is much better than it would be with a regular credit card company. This is a great first step in bringing your credit rating and history back up to an acceptable level.
Before applying or accepting an offer from a bad credit, credit card Company, it is wise to research the company and other various offers. Most companies are attempting to help you change your situation, but there are some companies that use this as a time to take advantage of your situation for their benefit. Unfortunately as a rule you will not be able to obtain low interest rates at first but some are still better than others when it comes to bad credit, credit cards.
You will want to be sure to read all the disclosures and other information in regards to any user fees, penalties, and other possible hidden costs. As an example; if you are applying for a secured credit card you will need to open a savings account with that particular bank. This amount varies and will be the collateral for your card. So your credit limit will be the same amount as your savings account and if you do not pay the bank then claims it. In addition to the deposit most will have a startup fee, a annual fee and a monthly service fee. Many companies will charge that to your credit card so you already have a balance before you actually receive the card.
You will probably not be able to do away with all extra fees, such as above, that are associated with bad credit, credit cards. But if you read all the information from several companies you should be able to find the two with the lowest interest rate and least amount of user fees.

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Bad Credit? Can't Get a Credit Card?

Most people don't give much thought to the importance of credit until they need it. When they go to apply for a credit card they discover that their bad credit keeps them from getting a card, or a card at a decent rate. Most people want to pay their bills, and remain in good credit standing. Nobody wants to be seen as a deadbeat to the credit card companies, but because of a couple of tight financial situations in the past they cannot get approval for a credit card. There is a way around this problem.
There are a few companies out there that understand your situation, and want to help you to obtain a better credit rating. These companies offer secured credit cards. A secured credit card is a card that you make a deposit to which determines your credit limit. You can use your card just like any credit card, but your purchases are limited to your deposited amount, (similar to a debit card). Before applying for a secured credit card you must make sure that the card reports to the major credit reporting agencies. If they do not report then that card is nothing better than a glorified debit card. In extremely simplified terms when a secured card sends reports to the major credit reporting agencies they are showing that you are paying off your debits, and you are less of a credit risk.
Here's a brief example of how these cards really work. On the surface it works just like a debit card. Let's say you made a $200 deposit to your secured credit card. You then go to the store and make a $20 purchase. Your account balance is almost immediately reduced by $20 to $180. The key to these cards is when the credit card company goes to report your information to the major credit reporting agencies, (the better secured card companies will report monthly). In simplified terms, the credit card company will tell the reporting agency that you made a $20 purchase on your credit card, and it was paid. As far as the reporting agency is concerned you are making good on your charges. This is a sign of a good borrower. Even if you have had problems with credit in the past the reporting agency is seeing that you are now less of a default risk thus bumping up your credit score. After time you become more appealing to other credit card companies and you will more readily be accepted for traditional credit cards.
Improving your credit is not a quick and easy task. There are many other things that factor into your credit score, but this is one action that you can take on your own. A secured credit card may not fix severely damaged credit, but for many people it's a step in the right direction. It will not make your credit score sky rocket into the upper 700's either. It will take some time, but it's better than sitting back, passively hoping that things will get better.

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Avoiding Credit Card Traps

The next time you open your credit card statement, take a closer look at the small insert titled “changes to your credit card agreement”. You know the one I’m speaking about. It’s that small, folded paper written in legalese that you promise to read some other time (but of course that time never comes) or you just discard it with the other “junk” inserts.
First and foremost you must understand that using your credit card after you’ve received this notification results in your automatic “agreement” to the new terms in the notice. To prevent these new terms from affecting your account you must stop using that credit card immediately or by the date given in the notification statement.
The most common modifications to credit card agreements include new APR’s (annual percentage rates), new fees and/or changes to existing fees, or a change to the grace period on your account. The grace period is the number of days during which any credit used for purchases may be repaid in full without incurring a finance charge.
Not knowing or not keeping track of the dollar amount limit on your card is another trap you should avoid. Credit card issuers will allow you to charge a small amount over the limit set on your account. However, don’t be surprised when you get hit with an “over limit fee”, usually around $35.00 or higher, on your next statement. Also, be prepared for your APR to be increased if you go over your credit limit.
You’ll also trigger an increase to your interest rate if you miss your payment due date. Some companies consider your payment late if not received by noon or 1 p.m. on the date due. Along with the higher rate, you’ll also pay a “late fee” of $29 on up. Be sure to use the company’s preprinted envelope when sending your payment. These envelopes allow the pre-printed bar code to be scanned by the post office so that it can be delivered more efficiently.
If you’ve counted on those few extra days from the time you mail your check and the time the check clears your bank, beware! Many credit card issuers have switched from the traditional method of processing checks to a new electronic process. This new system shaves off a day or more from the traditional method it normally takes for your check to clear by electronically debiting your account.
If you’re considering paying your credit card bills online, check to see if any additional fees will be charged for using this type of payment. I recently received an e-mail message from one of my credit card companies announcing how easy it would be to make my payments online. Included in fine print at the bottom of the e-mail was this note - “A fee of up to $14.95 may be charged for this service and will be deducted from your checking account”. Hmmm, spend 37 cents on postage and mail my payment five days before the due date or pay now and get charged an additional $14.95 fee? I’ll bet you can guess which choice I made.
Taking the time to carefully read and understand your credit card agreement now will help you save money by avoiding unnecessary fees or climbing interest rates later down the road.

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Avoiding Credit Card Debt? Preventive Medicine is Best

Credit card debt is one of the most wide spread financial problems throughout many countries of the world. The convenience of using credit cards, combined with the special offers, discounts and reward systems offered by the credit card companies make this method of paying for goods the number one favorite for hundreds of millions of people. However, irrational spending or simply gradual uncontrolled spending habits can lead to a lot of accumulated debt. Preventing this is essential, as it is much easier to avoid credit card debt problems before they grow strong, instead of battling them when they are already at maximum intensity.
The temptation to use credit cards repeatedly a fact that is also supported by the reward systems and lower monthly payments - will often lead to debt problems. Here are a few tips that will help you use your credit cards more wisely and enable you to prevent the unpleasant situations of having to pay off credit card debts: Set your budget create a framework for a monthly budget, as this will enable you to get a better sense of what your earning and spending balance is. Much notice that they simply can't stick with the planned budget in this case you should leave your credit card at home when going shopping, and use cash instead. Try to pay as much of the balance for each month. Don't settle for the minimum payment, as that will gradually develop into credit card debt as you are loosing quite a lot of money to interest rates.
Always remember that your credit card is a cash substitute, nothing more. You can either carry a balance, which comes with a high interest loan or you can make the minimum payments. Although the amount of the minimum payment seems insignificant (it is usually around 3% of the entire balance), this approach will gradually put you in debt. The credit card company accepts such low payments because they get their money back from keeping you in debt for an unlimited period by using high interest rates.
Many studies have been carried out on the psychology of the credit card owner. We tend to spend more than we can afford, own things that are above our financial reality levels and gratify an immediate need with a debt that might take years to pay off. Try to adapt your spending habits to your life style and earnings. If you can't pay off the balance on a monthly basis, then you are going into a vicious circle of overspending and credit card debt. Don't use the credit card anymore, until you pay off the outstanding balance. You should also make sure to pay it off on time, as there might be late fees and different other financial penalties that will further complicate your debt problem. Your credit record will also get damaged if your payments are inconsistent and you are often late with them.
Prevent credit card debt by making sure to keep your finances simple. Use only one or two credit cards, if possible. The more cards you have the higher are the chances that you will not be able to pay them off in time. Never pay off one credit card balance with another credit card. If this happens, you need to drastically change your spending habits and come up with a good credit card management plan. Cash advances might sound attractive, but the truth is that they come with higher interest rates and you don't get a grace period. There are also transaction fees to worry about.
The credit industry is extremely dynamic, and credit card issuers are always trying new ways to convince more people to sign up with their services. Different forms of rewards, life insurances, protection plans or point systems were created to make the credit card plans more attractive. Make sure you don't let your emotional side dictate when you make a credit card related decision. Getting free gifts or free air miles sounds amazing, but is it really worth it? Try to base your choice on hard facts and a realistic financial plan, not on an advertising created fantasy.

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Avoiding Credit Card Penalties

It is a sad fact of life that credit card companies are very willing and fast to slap a penalty charge on your account for every mistake, delay and slip up you cause, immediately and without a second thought. These penalty charges can amount to millions of dollars taken from consumers each month. They are a necessary part of all credit card operations and are fair in the sense that it means that customers who do everything correctly and on time are not penalised for the extra work and expense that other customers cause, but what you will want to do is make sure you are not one of the unlucky customers that is paying for these extra expenses.
The best way to avoid these penalties is to look at the entire situation from the point of view of the credit card company. Really, all they want from you is to keep your card safe, to stay within your credit limit, and to make at least your minimum payment, on time every month. If you manage to do these simple tasks you will avoid ever incurring a penalty on your account.
The problem is that it is very easy to slip up on these things. It’s not easy at all to keep track of your outstanding balance, especially as we use credit cards for more and more things and companies begin placing holds and other such transactions on customers accounts without them necessarily knowing or understanding about them. Then there is the fact that it is very easy to forget or become late on a payment. Every one has busy periods in their life and sometimes we simply have other more important things on our minds than paying our credit card bill on time. Some people are less organised than others and for them it can be very difficult making sure all their credit cards are paid out in full and on time.
If your card is lost or stolen without any fault on your part, and you call your credit card company as soon as you find out, you will only be liable for a maximum of $50 dollars. And if you manage to let the credit card company know before any thing has been spend on your stolen card you will not be liable for any thing. This is also the rule that applies for identity theft and fraud so you can feel safe using your credit card online. Taking a few simple steps can mean you are virtually never subjected to credit card penalties.

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Avoiding Credit Card Fraud.

Credit card fraud is becoming more and more of a problem, and if you are not careful then you could lose money to fraudsters. If you are worried about fraud but are unsure how you can protect yourself and your credit cards, then this article could help you. Here are some useful tips and advice about how to protect yourself from credit card fraud:
Methods of fraud
The methods and types of fraud are increasing as criminals learn new techniques and get improved technology. The most common methods of fraud today include:
·Copying and ‘cloning’ of cards·ATM fraud·Internet card fraud·PIN number stealing
All of these methods are used more commonly than ever before to effectively steal your money. Obviously, it is impossible to totally eliminate the problem of credit card fraud, but there are things you can do to greatly reduce the risks.
Keep cards close
Make sure that you never let your cards out of your sight. Never leave cards unattended, and certainly don’t lend your card to anyone. If you are paying in a restaurant or shop, make sure you pay attention as to where your card is. A common method used to copy your card is to get the details whilst you pay, so keep an eye on your card at all times.
Check receipts
Whenever you get a receipt or a credit card bill, check that all the items and amounts are correct. If there are any amounts that you are unsure about, contact your card issuer immediately. Any paperwork that you throw away should be disposed of properly. Shred documents so that people cannot go through your rubbish and discover your card details.
Look behind you
When withdrawing money from a cash machine, make sure no one is looking over your shoulder to read your PIN. The easiest way for someone to use your card illegally is to see your PIN and then steal the card. Also, make sure you never keep a written record of your PIN, especially near your cards.
Use reputable firms
When buying on the Internet, make sure that you only purchase items from large and well-established providers. Small or unknown providers should be avoided as even if they are genuine, their security and encryption may be poor and allow fraudsters to access your details.
Keep contact numbers
If you have your card stolen or you think you have been the victim of credit card fraud, then you need to sort the problem out as quickly as possible. Keep all the contact numbers for your card issuer in a safe place so that you can call them up and sort out problems immediately. If you are careful and act quickly, you can limit the damage of fraud or prevent it occurring at all.

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Avoiding Credit Card Fees

Credit card bills can be expensive. Sometimes they can be simply too expensive. Depending on how you use your credit cards, and how much you spend, and how disciplined and controlled you are over your own spending, you may or may not have trouble paying your credit card bills when it comes to the end of the month and the bill arrives in the mail. No matter what your situation is however, there is always one thing you will not, under any circumstances, want to see on your monthly credit card bill, and that is a credit card fee.
There are different types of credit card fee and different reasons for incurring them, but the good news is that many of them can be avoided by simply following a few simple rules and keeping on top of your finances and bills. The most important way to minimise the fees you receive from your credit card company is to pay your bill on time and in full each month. Generally if you do this, you will be charged no interest of finance charges at all, and will be receiving all the benefits of a credit card and over a month of credit absolutely free. If you are one of the lucky customers who can manage to maintain your account in this way, you will be very lucky.
However, many people cannot pay their account in full each month, therefore, they incur the most common of all credit card fees, and this is finance charges. Credit card companies actually charge very high interest rates to their customers so if you have the option of borrowing in other ways that may be cheaper it is recommended that you use these methods if you are planning on needing the money for more than a couple of months. It is far cheaper to pay back a short-term loan than to maintain a large credit card balance.
Another credit card fee is a late fee for when you are late in making your monthly payment. Many people who have more than enough money to make their repayments simply through a lack of organisation miss payments and incur large fees. If you are late in making your repayment because you don’t have enough money to make it you may need some debt counselling or other advice to help you manage your way out of this situation.
There are many other fees that your credit card company can impose upon you depending on the company, but being aware of how they are calculated and what sets them off is probably all you need to know to be able to avoid incurring them in the future.

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Are You Worried About Credit Card Debt

Properly every one of us has some sort of credit card debt, but when do we know that it’s spiralling out of control? Well one way is if you’re pay more than 15% of your monthly salary to your credit card bills then start to worry, but a worse way of dealing with this is borrowing cash from one credit card to pay another, this will only put you into more debt.If a light comes on in your head after reading the start of this article then it’s time to sit up and take some action, don’t think for a minute you are the only one dealing with credit card debt, almost 40% of credit card holders are in this position why! I will tell you minimum payments.
Yep-minimum payments if you only pay the minimum payment on your monthly balance, what once was a small credit card bill will turn into a very costly one you’ll end up paying back thousands, and will take years to clear.
How can I help myself sort out this problem!
Well if you have more than one credit card and you pay the minimum payment on them all, then this is what to do get the credit card with the highest APR and pay the most to this card, keep paying the minimum payment to the rest of your cards once the credit card with the highest APR is cleared go on to the next highest APR and so on until all the credit cards are paid off.
Another way to help is balance transfer deals try switching your card with one that has this on offer, they also offer 0% interest free period for 6-9 months great way to save some money.
People with only one credit card try not to use your card if that’s not possible monitor what you spend you’ll be amazed at the silly things you put on your credit card, including groceries, petrol, and night’s-out you’ll be amazed at how much interest is added on. People tend to forget about money I agree that credit cards are handy but they don’t have to be used all the time, I guarantee if you monitor what you spend for a few months you will see the difference.
I know these things sound easy but it’s amazing how many people just use their plastic friend to pay for everything, and really when you sit down and think it really is just common sense, hopefully following these simple steps will get you back on track.

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Applying for Instant Approval Credit Cards Online

Instant approval credit cards are convenient ways in which to get you some instant credit. Apply for an instant approval credit card online and you can find out, within a few minutes if you are eligible for one or not. So an instant approval credit card is fast, its simple, and really a boon if you want some instant credit extensions. The key for getting an approval lies in making your application correctly and wisely. Here are tips that will help you get an instant approval credit card online.
Find the Right Instant Approval Credit Card
You will be spoilt for choice when you go shopping for an instant approval credit card online. It is easy to advice you to research each one of them thoroughly, but you need to know the precise factors to consider during your research. In order to give you immediate credit, the credit card company will take its pound of flesh with the following – annual fees, interest rates, and other miscellaneous fees. A simple Google search will show you a quick comparison of the best rates of interest, annual fees, etc in your local area. If you have good credit, negotiate for a lesser interest rate or for zero annual fees. If you have a less than perfect credit history, find cards that offer a lower interest, less annual fees, etc
Secured Instant Approval Credit Cards
However, in case your credit history is really bad, find an instant approval credit card which offers a secured advance. You need to pay cash upfront in order to get credit. Ensure that the card reports this to the credit bureaus so that it helps you build a better credit history. Clear this point even before you apply for the card or you will have wasted your cash and your time.
Online Formalities for Instant Approval Credit Cards
You will see the online form you are required to fill out is pretty much the same as a regular credit card application form. Generally, the higher your household income, the better your chances of getting an approval. Avoid lying, as this information is useful for avoiding bankruptcy. If you inflate your household expenses, then the credit company will offer a higher credit limit. Anyone will be tempted to use up that credit limit. And if your income does not allow you to pay back your debts, you will find yourself falling quickly into the debt quicksand.
Applications for a secured instant approval credit card does not requires such details - as long as you have the money and the facility to transfer the amount from your bank account, you will be able to get yourself an secured instant approval credit card. Just ensure the site is secure – you can see a small lock appearing on the bottom right side of your browser window. This prevents hackers from accessing and misusing your credit card details.
Status of Instant Approval Credit Card Online
Generally, you will know the status of your application within a minute or two. If your application has been approved, then you can immediately start spending a limited amount. However, if the company needs to have a closer look at your accounts, they may defer their decision for a few days.
However, an instant approval credit card online is still the fastest way for getting a credit card or at least, some credit extension. Instant approval credit cards have their pros and cons and if you are aware the basic formalities of getting such a card, then there is no reason why your application should be rejected. But remember, an instant approval credit card may give you increased credit and may gratify your needs immediately, but they are double edged swords – ensure that your credit history is not wounded in the process of acquiring too many credit cards.

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Applying For Credit Cards Online

More and more people are applying for credit cards online. With the plethora of different means for which you can apply for your desired card, companies really try to make it easy for you to apply for their credit card. Along with online auctions, and shopping, signing up for credit cards, loans and insurance has been one of the fastest growing commercial activities on the net. Part of the reason is the speed and convenience of doing so. Another part of the reason is that you can find out the offers of a huge number of providers all at one place and judge which is the best very easily.
Applying for credit cards online can be an extremely simple process. Most credit card providers have websites that give you all of the necessary information to make your decision. If you are looking for a credit card, all you need do is visit their site and judge for yourself if the terms are acceptable. You have access to a huge number of card providers online so if you want to shop around it couldn’t be easier. There are even websites that specialise in comparing different rates and different categories of card which make your selection process even easier. For example, if you want a credit card that provides a good balance transfer rate, then you can search these specific cards. Or if you want a card that has a good reward scheme, low interest rates on purchases, or any other speciality, then it will all be there at your finger tips.
Once you have decided on a card, click the link to the card providers website or application form and fill in your details. You will be asked for all your personal details, and usually that is all. The rest of the information, the card providers can access themselves through your credit report. They will take your application and review it and do a credit check. If they are satisfied that you are a good risk, they will accept your application. While this is all done in the same way as any other form of credit application, because it is online it is secure, and also a lot faster. You do not have to wait for the application to get to them in the post and it is a lot more difficult for would be fraudsters to intercept the information.
Once the card provider has accepted your application, they will mail out the necessary documents which you should read, sign and return. Within a week, they can have sent you your card, and your pin in two separate letters and the process is complete; you have just been accepted for a new credit card.
There are some rules to credit card use that you should also be aware of, determined by the type of card that you have. Normally 0% balance transfer credit cards when you are transferring balances have the basic rule of not spending on the card – anything that you spend will accumulate interest, while you continue to pay the transferred balance. In effect, negating the point of the 0% transfer.
You may freely reprint this article as long as the author bio and live links are left intact.

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Apply Online For A Credit Card For A Fast Response

There are many different ways for you to apply for a credit card. There is one way to apply for a credit card that is becoming more popular every day. That is to apply for a credit card online. More people find that it is easier and faster to apply for a credit card online instead of waiting for an invitation letter to apply. You can find acceptance letters or denial letters in the mail, but when you are accepted for a credit card online you are going to receive the credit card faster than when you apply thru the mail.
There is an abundance of places to apply for a credit card online. For the most part each website will even let you know what the credit card company is looking for as far as your credit report. They are going to let you know if they are looking for people with good or excellent credit and they are even going to let you know if they will accept people with poor for no credit at all as well. If you know, what your credit report is like that will help you decide which credit card to apply for online. When you are going to apply for a credit card online you may want to check to see what is all on your credit report. Do this because that will help you find a credit card company online to apply to, and perhaps this will include a credit card you don’t have, or if you should be seeking a credit card with a lower credit line, or a secured line of credit...
If you find that you are having a hard time finding a credit card online to apply for or that will accept you, you may want to check on some of the department stores online that will help you rebuild your credit.
If you are able to rebuild your credit with a department stores credit card then you are going to be able to apply for a credit card online with one of the major credit card companies that are out there offering credit cards for almost everyone.
You are going to notice that once you are able to acquire credit from applying online for a credit card then you are going to start to receive more and more letters stating that you are guaranteed credit from a credit card company. When you start to receive those letters you are going to start to check out the different offers online and if you see that you do qualify for the credit card standards you may start to apply online for some of the credit card offers that you are receiving.
You are going to want to take your time and check out all the different offers that you are receiving for credit cards. Once you have check out the different credit card companies then you are going to have the options to apply online for the credit card. You are just going to want to make sure that when you are apply for the credit card online that it is a secure location that you are filling out all the information that the credit card company wants so they are able to grant you credit with them.

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Introduction To Affinity Credit Cards

Affinity credit cards are one of the most popular kinds of plastic we carry today, especially as the fashion for balance transfer deals and the like continues to fade. Where once the focus was on how we could save money by shifting our credit card debt around, now more and more of us are looking to profit from our card use, or at least to benefit in some way from our everyday spending habits. This change of emphasis has led to a vast increase in the number of rewards and cashback cards on the market, but where do affinity cards fit in to the picture?
At its simplest, an affinity card is one which identifies the cardholder with a particular company, organization, or field of interest. The card will generally have a visual design to reflect this link, and will also offer some benefit related to the affinity topic in question. A good example is a hotel chain affinity card. If a credit card account holder travels a lot on business or for pleasure, and has a favorite chain of hotels to stay in, then a credit card linked to these hotels can offer benefits such as discounts on room reservations, a points program which lets you build up credits for free meals or use of facilities, or even access to advanced concierge services to make your stay in a new city more enjoyable.
A hotel card such as this is an example of where affinity cards and rewards cards meet and overlap, but the affinity card will have a more tightly focussed reward scheme than the general card.
Another kind of affinity card which has grown in popularity over recent years is a charity credit card. In many ways, these cards can be viewed as variations on cashback credit cards, where a small percentage of everything you spend using the card is refunded. The crucial difference with a charity card is that instead of the cashback being credited to your account or sent to you in the form of a check, it is instead donated to the charity or charities linked to the card. Animal charities are popular, as are health research charities, but the range is huge and you're sure to be able to find a charity card supporting a non-profit that you'd like to support.
Closely related to charity cards are sports affinity cards. These operate in much the same way, but instead of donations being given to charitable organizations, they're instead passed on to the card holder's favorite sports team. By holding one of these cards, you can help support your team financially, while also declaring your support with your teams logo or badge emblazoned on the card itself.
The final kind of affinity card could be loosely termed a lifestyle card, and rather than giving you direct rewards or supporting your favorite organization, they are simply run of the mill credit cards that visually reflect an interest or hobby - for example, your favorite TV show, or work of art. For obvious reasons, these cards are not overly popular these days, as cards offering more concrete benefits have overtaken them in usefulness.
So are affinity cards worth using? In general, they probably won't offer such a great range of features as a market leading general credit card, but if you can find one that closely fits your lifestyle, then they can be very attractive and well worth applying for.

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Anyone Can Qualify For A Major Credit Card

You may have seen the following ads or something similar:
Separated? Divorced? Bankrupt? Widowed? Bad Credit? No Credit?
No Problem
Make the call NOW and get the credit you deserve!
- Even if you've been turned down before, you owe it to yourself and your family.
- Your major credit card is waiting.
If you have no credit or a poor credit history, this ad may appeal to you. Using a secured credit card can be an effective way to build or re-establish your credit history. Be aware, however, that some marketers of secured credit cards make deceptive advertising claims to get you to respond to their ads.
Secured and unsecured credit cards work the same way; both can be used to pay for goods and services. A secured card requires security for your line of credit; an unsecured card does not. The savings account for a secured card may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Your credit line will be a percentage of your deposit, typically from 50 to 100 percent. Usually, a bank will pay interest on your deposit.
Also, you may have to pay application and processing fees that sometimes amount to hundreds of dollars. Before you apply, be sure to ask what the total fees are and if they will be refunded if you are denied a card. A secured credit card also often requires an annual fee and has higher interest rates than unsecured cards.
The Federal Trade Commission has taken action against companies that deceptively advertise Visa and MasterCard through television, newspapers, and postcards. The ads may offer unsecured credit cards, secured credit cards, or not specify a type of card. The ads typically are phrased to make you believe you can get a credit card simply by calling a telephone number listed in the ad.
Sometimes the number is not toll-free. A "900" number service, for which you will be billed just for making the call, may instruct you to give your name and address to receive a credit application, or it may give you a list of banks offering secured cards, or direct you to call another "900" number at an additional charge to get more information. Be aware that deceptive ads often leave out important information.
They often omit the cost of the "900" telephone call, which can range from $2 to $50, or more.
The ads often do not mention a required security deposit, and application and processing fees for the secured card.
The ads frequently fail to say anything about income and age requirements.
The ads may not mention the annual fee for the secured card and a higher than average interest rate on any balance.
To avoid being victimized by a secured credit card marketing scam, look for the following signals.
Beware of offers of easy credit. No one can guarantee to get you credit. Even if you maintain a sterling record on your account, that is only one factor other creditors will consider. Any unfavorable history will be considered also.
Be wary of credit cards offered by "credit repair" companies or "credit clinics." These businesses also may offer to clean-up your credit history for a fee. However, you can correct genuine mistakes or outdated information yourself by contacting credit bureaus directly. But remember; only time and good credit will repair your credit report if you have a poor credit history, and any suggestion that you acquire a new social security number or other federal ID may be illegal.

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Analyze Reward Credit Cards Thoroughly

Travel has its payback in the form of reward credit cards. Choosing the best reward credit cards for yourself can be intimidating, and you should be guided by some factors that are personal to you. How do you choose and analyze THE travel reward credit card that suits your needs and lifestyle best? How do you, in fact, analyze reward credit cards in the first place?
Reward Credit Cards Should be Tailor Made for You
For one thing, the travel rewards companies work on the assumption that you want something – and they can give it to you. The problem is that most of us don’t know what that ‘something’ is and tend to lean towards fat, attractive packages that we may never use. For example, a travel reward credit card that offers you discounts on airfares might not be very attractive to a traveler whose airfare is paid for by his company. Then again, a reward credit card that offers exotic holiday cruises may remain unutilized in the hands of someone who does not enjoy sailing!
On the other hand, a frequent traveler might actually benefit from free upgrades on board if his card gives him that facility. Choosing a card according to how you would use it and benefit from the rewards would be most important. Are the rewards offered suited to your lifestyle?
Best Reward Credit Cards Offer Value and Usage
To begin, analyze your travel patterns. If a particular airline gives you special privileges on a particular rewards credit card, and if you frequently use that airline, it makes sense to go in for that credit card. Being faithful to a particular airline would result in accruing rewards that might actually result in much higher value in the form of points, cash back etc. Other credit cards may offer fancy rewards on airlines that you would prefer to avoid or which do not service the destinations you frequent. So choose a reward credit card where the value increases with usage.
Hidden Costs of a Reward Credit Card
The hidden costs need to be worked out too. Travel reward credit cards often come with hefty fees attached. * Does the reward that you are likely to earn over a year cover the cost of maintaining the credit card? * Are you going to be able to cash your rewards? * Is there a time limit for earning and cashing the rewards? * How easy is it to redeem your reward points? * Is there a complicated process or is there an online or phone-based system? The answers to these questions will dictate the kind of card you want.
Research Reward Credit Cards
Do not hesitate to ask such probing questions to the sales rep of the card company. Most prospects will not hesitate to ask for references from existing cardholders. Check forums and blogs online about the public opinion about the card. Do everything in your control to ensure that you are signing up for what you expected.
Reward credit cards come in several shapes, sizes, colors, and forms. It is easy to be tempted by a ‘once in a lifetime offer’. However, try to keep a sensible view of what YOU need from the reward credit card of your choice. The bottom line is - if you are going to travel you might as well make it work for you through the best reward credit cards you can find for yourself. Truth is, if you do not make a reward credit work for you, you may soon see that is working against you. Then, a reward credit card becomes almost equivalent to a penalty card – which should be avoided at all costs.

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Applying For a 0% Intro Rate Credit Card

When it comes to credit cards, the reward credit cards are usually much more popular because more often than not, consumers are dazzled by the concept of earning points and winning prizes for themselves just by using their credit cards. But you see, that’s simply considering one side of reward credit cards – and that’s the nice side, by the way. The other side would be the high interest rates that reward type of credit cards charge its users. So you see, you’re not winning those prizes for free – or at least not completely – unless you have the means to pay for your purchases before the cut-off period or before you get charged with interest.
This article, however, shall enlighten consumers about the less popular type of credit card and that would be the non-reward credit card. A non-reward credit card does not allow you to earn air miles or win gift certificates and other cool prizes for yourself just by swiping your credit card as often as you can. Rather, a non-reward credit card lets you purchase everything you want with a lower interest rate compared to reward type of credit cards.
Of all non-reward credit cards being offered in the market, it’s the 0% intro rate credit card that creates the most buzz because of two magic words – zero percent! And that’s right – credit card companies kid you not with their zero percent interest rate offer! But of course, that’s not all there is to it. Though we have nothing against 0% intro rate credit cards, we do suggest that you apply for a 0% intro rate credit card only when it’s the type of credit card that would best suit your needs.
A 0% intro rate credit card would be most suitable to a type of user who can not afford high interest rates like what’s being charged by reward credit cards, that’s for sure. Secondly, a 0% intro rate credit card would also be most suitable to someone who has pressing needs to buy or acquire something but has not enough money to go through with the purchase. Because of their very situation, having a 0% intro rate credit card would be of most help since even with the required monthly payments, they still wouldn’t pay as much as they would with other types of credit cards.
Of course, all good things must come to an end and a 0% intro rate credit card is unfortunately no way different. As it is only an introduction rate, once the time allotted for it elapses, you shall revert to paying for normal interest rates.
But that’s a long time coming and you don’t have to worry about that yet. What’s important is to be able to buy what you need and applying for a 0% intro rate credit card is the key!

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Applying An Instant Approval Credit Card Online

Instant approval credit cards are a convenient way to apply for a new card. With these cards, you can usually find out in less than a minute if you are instantly approved for a card. Better yet, applying for an instant approval credit card online is really quite simple.
Finding the Right Card
The first step in applying for an instant approval credit card is deciding which card you want. There are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of instant approval credit cards for you to choose from online. Be sure to thoroughly research them all to find the one that is best for you. Things to look out for include: annual fees, interest rates, and additional fees. If you have good credit, be sure to only apply for an instant approval credit card without associated fees or a high interest rate. If you have a poor credit history, be sure to compare instant approval credit cards met for those with a less-than-perfect credit history and find the one with the least amount of fees and the lowest interest rate.
If your credit is really bad, you might want to consider a secured instant approval credit cards. These cards require you to pay money up front. The money you spend with one of these credit cards is actually your own money that you put on the card. Make sure the card reports to the credit bureaus before wasting your time applying. If the card does not report, then it will not help you rebuild your credit. If you have good credit, you shouldn't even bother with a secured instant approval credit card, unless you are a parent looking to get a card to use with your high school or college student child.
Completing the Form
Instant approval credit card online forms are the same as the forms you would complete for a traditional credit card. You will be expected to give the potential lender your social security number, name, and address. You will also need to supply the potential lender with employment information, such as the name, address, and phone number of your employer. You will also be asked to provide your annual household income. It is up to whether or not you want to include income such as child support or spousal support when reporting income. In general, the higher your household income, the greater your chances of getting approved and of receiving a higher credit limit. Never lie, however, as this information is really needed mostly to protect you from putting yourself at risk of going bankrupt.
If you are applying for a secured instant approval credit card, you might not need to supply quite as much information. Many secured instant approval credit cards, for example, do not require employment information. As long as you have the money to place on the card, the lending company isn't much concerned about verifying your employment. Often, however, you will need to have a bank account in order to electronically transfer funds from you bank account to the secured instant approval credit card.
No matter what type of card you are applying for, be sure you are submitting the information on a secured site. You will know if the site is secured because there will be a small icon of a lock located either in one of the top or bottom corners on your computer screen. A site that is secured prevents hackers from being able to access your personal computer. Any reputable credit card company will have a secured site. If the site is not secure, do not do business with the company.
The Moment of Truth
After you complete the online application form, you will generally find out in less than a minute whether or not you qualify for the instant approval credit card. Don't be disheartened, however, if lending company does not instantly approve your card. Often, this is simply because the company needs to look more closely at your credit history. Generally, this process will only take a couple days. Therefore, an instant approval credit card is still a faster way to get approval for a new credit card than a traditional credit card, which can take up to eight weeks to be approved.

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Underestimating What We Spend On Credit Cards?

An investigation organized by Egg says consumers have greatly underestimated the amount that credit cards are used throughout the United Kingdom, what this means is consumers are spending a lot more than they think. The investigation revealed that when consumers thought they had spent was £236billion was in fact £437 billion, some difference!
How come there is such a big difference?
Well most of us usually pay for everything with the plastic card and find it hard to keep track of what we spend.
Most people have more than one credit card and a lot of them transfer their balances from time to time to get the best interest rate, so when you are working with two or more credit cards it’s easy to miscalculate how much you’re spending, and with so many different payment options for you to choose from you can see how there can be such a difference in what we spend, over £200billion! scary or what?
Another question you have to ask is, if we do not know what is in our accounts how do we know we are not getting ripped off?
Six out of ten consumers didn’t know how much was in their accounts so money could be taken out and they would have no idea. Mind you some would say (not me you understand) if you don’t keep track of your money you deserve to have it pinched.
The British Bankers Association revealed that by the end of September, sales had fallen for the last two months indicating that consumers are being careful, but with Christmas around the corner I am sure the credit card sales will be up and we will have another bumper spending spree with the plastic cards.
So the question was, are we underestimating what we are spending? well the facts definitely say yes!
So what should we do about it well keep a tighter grip on your accounts, double check what’s coming in and out and make sure everything balances at the end of the month.
good luck!

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Advantage Platinum Business – Secure Business Expenses With One Credit Card

For years Advanta has ingeniously utilized its financial knowledge and great managerial, promotional and customer service expertise to erect a long-term strategic client partnership. Now, they have a special Advanta business credit card on offer.
Business owners tracking for a credit card that would take care of all their business expenses will end their search at Advanta Platinum Business Card MasterCard. It’s a better alternative for your Business Card enclosing rewards you’d love to add to your kitty.
Special features
Just go through the features to find out for yourself, what is so special about Advanta Platinum Business Card MasterCard
-The platinum credit card has no annual fee on the card and for the first twelve months you’ll get an attractive 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers.
-The actual reward associated with this card is the exceptional credit line of up to $50,000. Now, this is a good option for those who charge on just about everything, yet are not willing to be restricted by lower credit line.
-When the introductory tenure ends, the interest rate is a variable 13.49% for both cash advances and purchases, although the rate for cash advances is directly tied to the cardholder’s credit and will be 5.99% or 12.49% plus Prime Rate.
-With minimum of $5 you can access a cash advance of 3% and with convenience checks a maximum of $50.
Supplementary Services
-Through Credit Line request –you can manage your account online
-You’re given a free primary vehicle rental insurance
-Your money is secured with an automatic theft and damage protection cover
-Special Savings On Business Products and Services will help you to enjoy benefit of discount of up to 25% or more with subsequent companies and others as listed below:
1) Palo Alto Software 2) IBM 3) Ramada Inn 4) Penny-Wise Office Products and more
Additional benefits and services
Advanta Platinum Business Card MasterCard is always a handsome bargain in terms of the additional benefits and services you’re allowed. If you have planned to manage maximum benefits from your credit card, scamper your eyes over the additional benefits below, which you could derive as a cardholder:
-You can do free online bill payment. So, you can save your time and money by making payments to your online Advanta account
-Have your personalized and billing date and checks.
-You can avail online Statements and Management reports
-Authentic protection for purchases and extended warranties with your card
-You are getting services and products discounts from participating retailers and merchants outlets
-Attuned to both Microsoft Money software and Quicken
These are some standard business account benefits enjoyed by any average business owner resorting to Advanta Platinum Business Card MasterCard. Even though you find the rate a little high as compared to that charged to an individual with good credit, well it’s sensible if your account doesn’t carry a balance always.

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Advantage Business Credit Cards: A Closer Look

The credit card wars continue to heat up and that spells “good news” for consumers. Despite rising interest rates, many issuers are continuing with their popular 0% introductory APR plans, giving new card holders a great way to save money and pay off their debts. One issuer, Advanta, has thrown the gauntlet down and is now offering an extremely low APR on balances until the debt is paid off. Let’s take a look at three Advanta offerings to find the one that has the best advantage for you and your wallet.
Advanta Platinum Business Card With Rewards
There just aren’t too many cards out there offering 0% APR beyond the first 12 months of issuance. And why is that? Because, credit card issuers know that interest rates will continue to head up. Fortunately, Advanta is not letting interest rate trends dissuade them from making an important marketing decision: the
Advanta Platinum Business Card with Rewards extends the 0% APR period through 16 months, a rarity in the credit card business. What’s more, as the name of the card implies, it comes with a rewards program too. Consumers can get 5% cash back on many purchases or use their points for travel rewards. For a $35 annual fee the card can be transformed into an airline miles accumulator.
Advanta Platinum Business Card
An alternative to the Business Card with Rewards is the Advanta Platinum Business Card. No, you don’t get rewards with the card, but you do get a 12 month 0% APR and a beefy credit line of up to $50,000! This can be the perfect card for business people who must charge just about everything, but don’t want to be restricted by a lower credit line.
Advanta Life-of-Balance Platinum Card
Perhaps one of the most unusual cards in the Advanta arsenal is the Advanta Life-of-Balance Platinum card. If you have balances to transfer, this card can be extremely beneficial as the 2.99% fee on balance transfers stays in effect until the card is paid off. In addition, the card pays you 6% cash back on many purchases or you can redeem your points for travel rewards. Best of all, there is no limit on earnings so you can accumulate an unlimited amount of points every year. A truly unusual offer for a truly exceptional card!
So, which business card is right for you? Well, only you can make that determination. Each of the three Advanta cards has its own special features, so weighing what is important to you against what doesn’t matter is one way to go about selecting a new credit card. Still, each Advanta card has so much to offer and getting an Advanta card gives you advantages over many ordinary business cards. Regardless, offers such as these are certain not to last forever, so taking action now will ensure that you get the best card that meets your needs.

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Advantage Business Credit Card

In the competitive business credit card market, some financial institutions have opted to become niche players. This decision to specialize is primarily driven by the need to gain market share.
One of these niche players is the Advanta Bank Corporation. Advanta is touted to be among the largest issuers of business credit cards for the small business market. That is quite possibly an accurate observation since Advanta is known to have focused exclusively on the small business market, and its business credit cards simply reflects this focus on the requirements of small businesses.
You are clearly reminded of this when you visit the Advanta web site to look at their business credit card offerings: there is only one featured card, the Advanta MasterCard Platinum Business credit card. This is a cash back rewards business credit card which offers you 5% discounts on certain items and a 1% general discount, on others.
There is an ongoing drive from their side to partner with more companies that sell products and services which form a part of the normal operating expenses of small businesses, to increase the appeal of their credit card offering.
The Advanta business credit card packages are competitive from a pricing point of view. The zero-percent introductory annual percentage rate on balance transfers runs for fifteen (15) months, which is longer than most other business credit cards. Just as important to the small business owner, the APR on balance transfers after the introductory period is also one of the lowest, at 7.99% fixed interest. The market average is a full percentage point higher. Most other business credit cards have both higher APRs and variable interest rates.
To add luster to their small business offering, Advanta business credit cards distribute the cash back bonuses earlier than many other business credit cards. There is an automatic cash back payout feature which means you start receiving your cash back checks for every $50 you have accumulated immediately. This could help support cash flow to a small measure.
There is, if you prefer, an opportunity to convert to travel rewards instead. Where many other business credit cards will allow free travel only upon reaching 15,000 or even 25,000 rewards points, Advanta business credit cards allows free travel upon reaching 10,000 rewards points.
In keeping with its niche strategy to cater to the needs of the small business credit card market, Advanta – like many other large banks - make a comprehensive library of small business resources available to their business credit card holders where they can access small business guides and small business tools.
Small business guides typically offer business credit card holders assistance in the preparation of business plans and marketing plans, and provide information on specific financial products. There are normally tips on how to win lucrative government contracts as well as tips on how to protect your personal assets. The latter is something most small business owners consider important.
Small business tools generally provide business credit card holders with easy-to-use templates of various official government forms (for tax purposes or for government contracts), samples of business documents such as business letters, contracts, forms, generalized statements of policies, as well as financial spreadsheets to help them manage their finances.

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Accepting Credit Cards Over the Phone

There has been a huge growth in the number of cold calls, and unsolicited offers that people receive on their home and business phones. The process can be very intrusive and frustrating and is the subject of a growing number of complaints. Many of these calls come from phone companies, especially mobile phone providers but they are also for new windows, for insurance and for credit among other things.
If you are offered credit over the phone, it can be quite tempting, especially if you have poor credit or have had difficulty in getting credit in the past. However, there are some risks involved and you should be careful. The primary concern with these types of calls is that at the end of the day, if you are the recipient of the call, you do not know who is calling you. Just because someone says they are from a respectable bank or credit card provider does not necessarily mean they are, and you should accordingly be cautious about what information you give out over the phone. Of course, if you have made the call, or have requested it from a reputable lender, then this will be far less of a concern.
Do not, under any circumstances, be pressured into giving out sensitive information over the phone or accepting credit if you are not comfortable doing so. If you do think you want to accept a phone offer for credit, then give out as little information as possible over the phone. They will probably need your address, but any other information can be sent to them through the post, in an application form. You should become very suspicious of anyone who calls you and starts asking for your payment details, bank account number or any other similar information. If they are a genuine company, then they should be more than happy to send you an application form through the post.
Also, make sure you ask who you are speaking to and which company they represent. Ask them for their website address so that you can look up the company on line. Also, when the application form does arrive by post, read it carefully and satisfy yourself not only that the offer is one you would like to accept, but also that the company is one that you would like to be dealing with. Finally, look at the address carefully and make sure that it all appears above board.

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Accept Business Credit Cards: Empower Your Business and Your Clients

Businesses today are increasingly making use of business credit cards to transact, both as vendors and as buyers. This trend in spite, there are still a number of vendors who do not accept business credit cards from their business clientele. The truth of the matter is that if such a vendor wishes to achieve higher trading volumes and increase its client base, accepting business credit cards changes from being an optional, to a must.
Accounts receivable is not only a nasty trap, but also creates a vicious cycle. Vendors that do not accept business credit cards, often agree to extending credit to their clients in order to retain their custom. Although this may be a necessary business practice, it does place unnecessary strain on the business’ finances: Unnecessary, because by accepting business credit cards, you can retain your clients and mitigate your cash flow risk at the same time.
The benefits of accepting business credit cards are numerous and include:
Boost Your Sales: When your clients are in a position to purchase what they want immediately, most of them will. When they make that immediate purchase, your sales are boosted. A simple browse - either in your store or on your web site - may turn into a profitable visit if you enable your clients to make payments with their business credit cards.
Bolster Your Cash Flow: Many merchants who do not have sufficient cash flow with which to support growth, may be victims of high accounts receivables. One of the quickest ways to free your business from this trap is to start accepting business credit cards. Stop billing your clients and start billing their banks instead! When you accept business credit cards, the revenue from the sale will reach your bottom line much sooner than accounts receivables would.
Put Smiles on Your Clients’ Faces: Clients obtained their business credit cards for a variety of good business reasons and will want to use these. Don’t allow your clients to find alternative suppliers purely because your business is not able to process business credit card transactions. When business clients are searching for a supplier, and they want to pay by means of their business credit cards, they will search until they find a supplier who does. Accepting business credit cards places you in the running for their business – and that is a good place to be!
Put Smiles on Your Financial staff’s Faces: Your accounting department will be very happy when you decide to accept business credit cards as payment for purchases. They will be freed from the hassles of paperwork and the headaches of collecting all your accounts receivables on time. If one compares the collection of outstanding accounts from many of different clients to collecting from the relatively few merchant services that issue business credit cards, the latter is a walk in the park.
Accepting business credit cards may be necessary to enhance and grow the business relationship you enjoy with your clients. It affords your clients the opportunity to make use of their preferred method of payment and liberates you from the accounts receivable trap at the same time.

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Tips To Improving Your Credit Card Reports

Credit is something that some take lightly or give little thought to until it’s really needed. There are 10 things that you can do to make sure that your credit is always in good standing so it will be available when needed.
1) Pay your bills on time. A consistent history of timely payments will greatly improve your credit profile and will, therefore, make you more desirable to lenders. In many cases, a strong payment history in your credit reports will also result in better interest rates.
2) If possible, pay your bill in full every month. This will help to save you money in finance charges, especially credit cards with high interest rates, and will make your credit reports even stronger.
3) Avoid carrying a balance of more than 50% of your total credit limit on any credit card.
4) If you notice any incorrect information on your credit reports, dispute it in writing with the credit bureau immediately. You may also find it helpful to contact the creditor directly, notify them of the incorrect information and ask that they correct it with the credit bureau and on each of your credit reports.
5) If you have recently filed for bankruptcy, start rebuilding your credit with either a secured credit card or one that is known to be bankruptcy-friendly. The latter often requires higher interest be paid, but your credit score will begin to rise after three months of a steady payment history is listed in your credit reports.
6) If you have old accounts that are listed as being open, but are actually closed, call the creditor and send a letter to the credit bureau. Often times, creditors simply never report an account as being closed with the credit bureaus. If you have a lot of available credit on your report, potential lenders may wonder why you need all of this open credit and what your plans are for it’s use. A large number of apparently open accounts with a zero balance may put you in the high risk loan category if the lender suspects you plan to increase your debt load substantially with your unused credit.
7) Avoid excessively applying for credit as this may lower your credit score because of multiple inquiries.
8) Use your credit cards for necessities only and avoid spending more than you could repay within six months.
9) If your credit cards have excessively high credit limits that you never plan to use, call the creditor and ask that they reduce your credit limit to an amount that you are comfortable with. This will not only reduce the temptation of overspending, but will also prevent potential lenders from seeing that you have a lot of available credit and suspecting that you plan to go into serious debt.
10) The best way to improve your credit reports is to review the information filed with each of the three major credit bureaus every six months. These include TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

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Tips To Improve Your Credit Card Score

These days most of us avail loans to buy a house, set up a business, or buy a car. Many students take loans to further their education. How soon the loan is sanctioned, the rate of interest, and the amount sanctioned will all depend on your credit score which is based on your credit report. People with scores of 700 and more are the beneficiaries of lower interest rates and quick sanctions. Imagine if your score is greater than 700 and another person has a score of 698 then the person with score 698 will have to pay interest that is higher by one-half percentage point. And, this means over a year a person with a lower score will pay USD 19,000 and more as interest on a loan of say USD 165,000.
A credit score takes into consideration: payment history, current earnings, current debt, length of credit history, types of credit utilized, and your new credit. If two or more members of your family are earning then apply for a loan jointly.
You can take a few simple steps and ensure that your credit score is higher than 700.
• Maintain a long healthy credit history. Keep alive your oldest credit card and be sure to pay all bills in time. Never keep bills pending over a 30 day period. If in a crunch at least pay the minimum charges due.
• Do not have too many credit cards. Learn to say “NO,” to offers of free credit cards. And, maintain a good credit limit. Avoid using all the available credit on the cards.
• Ensure that the credit report you have is accurate and that there are no errors clerical or otherwise.
• Plan your finance such that it is healthy. Consider debt consolidation.
• Never suddenly close or open accounts. This leads to suspicion that you are trying to manipulate your credit report.
• If you are having problems speak to your creditors well in advance and work out a stage wise repayment. Request the creditor to refrain from reporting the late payment.
• Late or delayed payments drive your score down so always pay bills dead on time. Keep a tab on due dates and ensure that all bills are paid.

Learn all you can about credit reports and scores and keep the criteria in mind while managing your finances. Maintain the debt-to-credit limit ratio and, if need be take the help of a finance planner. A useful source to learn about managing credit is provide in depth coverage on money management, debt management, and credit report review.
Even if advised refrain from filing for bankruptcy. All you need to do is to sit down and curtail expenses, plan you income-expenditure , and avoid spending what you have not earned.

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Credit-Free Card: What Is A Prepaid Credit Card?

In this high-tech era of computers and machines, the purchasing power of people is mostly based on credit. Nowadays, credit cards are almost indispensable in almost any business transaction. For one, nobody can purchase anything online without a credit card.
People who have a poor credit history though, will have a hard time getting or renewing their credit cards. This is where prepaid credit becomes useful.
There are lenders that offer prepaid MasterCards and/or prepaid Visa Cards. Both these cards can be used like a regular credit card. It is even hard to distinguish which card is prepaid or not, by simply looking at it or even using it.
This is basically how prepaid credit cards work. When an account is opened, the card should be “pre-loaded” with cash up-front. This is like paying for a pre-paid calling card. Prepaid MasterCards or Visas can be used anywhere as long as these cards are accepted.
The prepaid credit card advantage:
1. Prepaid credit card can be easily obtained. It can be purchased online or in local retail stores. It does not require any credit check or proof of income.
The only thing to do is to fill out an application, pay a small fee for setting-up the account and load the card with cash. The amount of cash loaded will be the “credit limit”
2. No interest charges.
When a prepaid MasterCard or prepaid Visa is used, there is no interest charge unlike the regular credit card. The reason for this is that the money used is the owner’s actual money therefore no interest is needed.
3. Prepaid credit cards are free from financial or credit problems.
4. Prepaid cards can be used almost anywhere. Prepaid MasterCards and Visa cards are almost accepted anywhere in the world.
Disadvantages of Prepaid Credit Cards:
1. Usually a set-up fee of 5 to 50 dollars is needed when an account is opened. Then another fee of $5 or more is paid every time more money is loaded onto the card.
Regular credit cards usually do not charge a set-up fee or annual fees.
2. Cash up front is needed before any purchase could be made with the prepaid card. This could be an advantage since compulsive spending can be avoided.
3. There are some prepaid credit cards that cannot be used to pay regular payments such as monthly electric consumption or online services.
The Conclusion:
The prepaid credit card is a definite help for people who have past credit problems. It is just a matter of choosing the right prepaid credit card that suits ones’ needs.

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