Category Archives: Credit Cards

Equifax(r), Experian(r), and TransUnion (r). They’re three major credit bureaus which gather data to create your credit reports and determine your scores. Consumer reporting agencies sell your information to lenders, employers and landlords – but how exactly do they collect it all? What they do Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are three credit bureaus that collect […]

Maintaining an excellent credit score offers many advantages. It can help you qualify for loans, mortgages and credit cards at lower interest rates; lower the cost of car insurance; and make renting an apartment or purchasing real estate easier. Raising your credit score takes time, but consistency is key. Making payments on time and lowering […]

Most secured credit cards require an initial security deposit when opening. This amount serves as your credit limit and will typically be returned when closing or upgrading to an unsecured card after showing responsible use over time. Your deposit payment options generally include bank account transfer, check or money order. How much you owe will […]

Citi Diamond Preferred Card provides one of the longest 0% APR periods available for balance transfers, making it an excellent way to reduce debt. Plus, it comes equipped with great perks such as FICO score monitoring and cell phone protection when used to pay bills! 1. Long introductory APR on balance transfers Balance transfers offered […]

Business credit cards are an ideal way to separate personal and professional spending, and may offer special perks tailored to small-business owners. But the way in which you use it matters as business purchases will be reported to different credit bureaus, which could have different impacts on your score. Furthermore, business cards may offer enhanced […]

International students studying in the US can use credit cards as an effective tool to build their credit history, making accessing other financial products such as loans or mortgages much simpler in the future. Most credit cards require an SSN for approval; however, some card issuers accept an ITIN as an acceptable alternative. Eligibility requirements […]

Credit card companies tend not to permit customers to directly pay off their debt with another credit card as it can be cost prohibitive and lead to debt revolving through accounts indefinitely. Balance transfers and cash advances offer solutions, and can potentially save money while earning rewards – however they should only be used with […]

WalletHub reports that most colleges charge fees for credit card payments. Notable exceptions are part-time students at Boston University who accept them without charge and schools using third-party payment systems such as Plastiq that assess an additional percentage fee on payment amounts. Credit cards provide rewards, but paying tuition with plastic may not be your […]

The OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card can be an ideal solution for borrowers who cannot qualify for traditional credit cards due to poor credit or ineligibility, making approval easier and quicker for applicants with bad credit histories. Additionally, this service reports to all three credit bureaus, helping you build up a positive payment history with […]

Metal credit cards offer an exclusive look in your wallet, yet their fees can be steep. Luckily, many credit card issuers provide prepaid envelopes so you can return it safely for disposal. But you should avoid simply tossing it away or running it through a home shredder – this could leave personal information vulnerable to […]