Credit Cards

Outstanding credit card debt and average credit card interest rates are both at the highest levels ever, which means consumers are paying a lot of money in credit card interest. Credit card issuers charge monthly interest in the form of a finance charge each month a cardholder carries a balance past the credit card date.…
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There may come a point when you realize that one credit card isn’t enough. Maybe you come to this conclusion because you need more buying power. Or maybe you end up here because you’ve maxed out your other card (more on this below).

There are several benefits of a second credit card, including the following:

• Access to rewards: If your first credit card doesn’t have a rewards program, you may be enticed by one that does.

Credit cards aren’t holding back when it comes to credit card rewards. They’re beefing up rewards, raising the signup bonus, and packing their cards with perks on top of perks. Rewards credit cards are more attractive than ever, giving a chance to earn cash back, points, and travel rewards for your everyday spending.…
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There are those who swear off credit cards because of the risk of getting into too much debt. That’s a fair point. If you’re not diligent about using your credit cards wisely, you can get in over your head. But, charging what you can afford and paying your full balance each month allows you to safely avoid the risks of credit card debt.…
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Even if you strongly believe that you qualify for a credit card, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should move in this direction. Before doing so, it’s imperative to review both your situation and what you’ll get in return should you decide to proceed.

Here are a few things to think about as you ponder this question:

• Employment status: It’s never a good idea to apply for a credit card when you’re unemployed.

When you’re shopping for a new credit card, it’s smart to choose a credit card based on your spending habits. If you travel a lot, the best credit card to have in your wallet is one that offers a ton of travel-related rewards and perks. Taking advantage of these benefits allows you to offset you travel expenses, sometimes even earning free flight and hotels stays.…
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Credit card issuers are constantly rolling out new credit cards with attractive rewards programs. Yet millions of consumers never switch credit cards. If you’ve loyal to the same credit card for several years, you could be leaving hundreds of dollars in rewards and other valuable benefits on the table. Here are a few signs it’s time to switch to a new credit card.…
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There may come a time when you realize that your current credit card limit isn’t enough. If this happens, you should turn your attention to the steps you can take to increase your limit.

While there are many factors that impact whether or not you receive a limit increase, there are several steps you can take to make this happen.…
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If you’re planning to make a large purchase soon, maybe for a family vacation or major home improvement expenses, choosing the right credit card can make all the difference. Knowing what to look for can help you get the best deal and may even earn some credit card rewards.

Look for a credit card with a promotional interest rate.

It’s understandable why some consumers shy away from applying for a credit card. Above all else, they have concerns about running up debt that they can’t afford to pay.

According to CNBC, this remains a major problem throughout the United States:

“The average American has a credit card balance of $6,375, up nearly 3 percent from last year, according to Experian’s annual study on the state of credit and debt in America.