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Build Credit in your Name
If you have delinquent credit and are married, you might want to
build your credit in your name instead of using your spouse.
Somebody has to have stability. Also if you are divorced and all
the credit cards of credit information are in your...
Consumers, Beware The New “Wave” Of Credit Cards
J.P. Morgan Chase About the Author
© 2005, http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com Author: James H. Dimmitt James is editor of "TO YOUR CREDIT", a free weekly newsletter with tips to help you manage your personal finances. Subscribe today and...
Credit Card Dirty Tricks
There are many of us that have been badly stung by credit card companies that have charged exorbitant fees to use their credit cards. Several years ago an APR of 25% to 29% was common place which in simple terms means that if you borrow £1,000 your...
Credit Card Vs. Debit Card - What Are The Main Differences?
With our electronical cards fortunately the days of the mad rush and long queues to get cash from the bank before weekends are long gone. We now enjoy the convenience of using a nearby automatic teller machine (ATM) or you can even get "cash back"...
Credit Repair and Avoiding Court
If you ever entered a courtroom, you know that the stress
elevates, even if you are in the room for someone else. Courts
are an automatic source for lifting stress. Moreover, to avoid
the courts means we have to abide by laws and pay our debts....
Fixing Your Credit Score Doesn't Have To Cost You
Credit repair advertisements claim to guarantee a quick fix on your credit report. They promise for a fee (not always disclosed at first) to clean up your credit history so that you can qualify for a new home, car, insurance, a job, or premium...
How To Get A Great Credit Card With Bad Credit
Credit Cards For Consumers with Poor Credit Ratings
Ever wondered how and why you can go online and be approved for credit within seconds? Or receive a pre-qualified loan or credit card without anyone asking how much money you make? Or why one...
Small Business Loan With Bad Credit
"Initially, it was difficult to get small business loans if you had a bad credit record. But today the scenario has changed, there are many organizations that offer you small business loans even if you have bad credit. However, before you make your...
The Three Factors of Credit-Worthiness
Between the Internet, well-meaning family and friends, and
know-it-all articles in the print media, it's hard to know where
the facts end and the nonsense begins. Facts are everywhere, but
so are urban legends, hidden agendas, and opinions posing...
Why You Should Use A Prepaid Credit Card?
Prepaid credit cards have been growing in popularity over the past few years. But despite the 'credit card' name, no credit is actually involved. Here's how it work's.
When a standard credit card is used, you pay for the convenience of being able...
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Credit Cards Without Late Fees? What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
Americans know all too well how much it costs to use credit cards. The average household in the U.S. now has nearly $10,000 in credit card debt. Carrying such debt is fine, as long as you realize that there are costs associated with it. The interest rates aren't particularly low and the fees charged for paying late or going over your limit can be steep. Late fees of $39 aren't uncommon, and they are assessed if your bill fails to arrive by the due date, even if it was delayed in the mail.
The credit card companies have been listening to consumer complaints about expensive late fees and several of them have responded. American Express and Citibank have both recently introduced cards that are both advertised as having no late fees. There may be a twist involved; Citibanks's Simplicity card carries no late fees as long as you make a purchase each month within the billing period. But no late fees? Aren't late fees the card company's way of making sure that you pay your bill at all? What happens if you don't pay your bill?
That's where the fine print comes into play. Your agreement requires you to pay your bill on time. With the Citibank card, paying late carries the usual fee of up to $39 if you pay late and haven't made a
purchase during the billing period. If you have made a purchase within the billing period, but you have still paid late, Citibank may, at its option, raise your interest rate. In fact, they can raise your interest rate as high as 23.99% above the prime rate. American Express will also raise your interest rate if you pay late twice in a year, though not as high as the 30% or so that Citibank will charge.
With interest rates potentially rising to nearly 30% and applying to your outstanding balance, you'd be much better off keeping an existing card and paying the late fee than the hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars you'd pay on a large balance after the penalty interest rate is applied. Of course, you can avoid both late fees and interest rate hikes by simply paying your bill on time and maintaining a small balance or no balance at all. If you want a card with no late fees, you probably already have one. Don't pay late, and there is no fee.
About the Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling.
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