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It can be tempting to use your credit card when unexpected expenses put a strain on your wallet. However, you should avoid using a credit card to cover costs when faced with a financial emergency. If you use your card and can’t pay off the expense quickly, you could end up paying expensive interest charges […]
Should I Use a Credit Card as My Emergency Fund? Read More »
Welcome to the magical-yet-confusing young adulthood phase! With that entry-level salary and growing collection of expenses, your life is getting more complicated. The way you pay for things is going to need to keep up. Before, you may have stuck to cash or a debit card to make purchases. Perhaps you were an authorized user…
Best Credit Cards for Young Adults Read More »
Dear Experian, My wife and I disagree on whether a finance charge is already included in the minimum payment required. She says that we should pay both the minimum amount and the finance charge on time to maintain a good credit score. I say that you only need to pay the minimum amount on time
How Finance Charges and Minimum Payments Affect Your Credit Score Read More »
Ideally, a credit card is a convenience. It allows you to avoid carrying cash and can buy you some time before you need to pay off your purchases. A credit card can also help you manage your money, cover emergency expenses, build credit and earn rewards. But it could tempt you to buy on impulse,
The Best (and Worst) Ways to Use a Credit Card Read More »
So you’ve been approved for a credit card, you’ve received it in the mail, maybe you’ve even opened the envelope — but what happens if you don’t activate it for some reason? Short term, maybe not much, especially for cards with no annual fee. You could keep the card in your sock drawer, never bothering…
What Happens If You Don’t Activate Your Credit Card? Read More »
By now, your wallet is probably feeling the effects of rising costs of gas, food and other essentials. While you can’t dodge inflation, it’s possible to strategize and keep more money from getting away. If you celebrate Easter, Ramadan or Passover, or plan on going on spring break, the expenses may be higher this month….
NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for April 2022 Read More »
The interest you pay on your credit card is calculated based on the APR of the account and your account balance. But the balance your card issuer uses in the interest calculation isn’t the balance shown on your statement. Instead, it’s the average daily balance for the billing period. The credit card issuer calculates the…
Average Daily Balance Credit Card Calculator Read More »
Applying for a credit card is usually pretty easy. But it helps to be aware of what information you need to provide. That way, you’ll know what to expect and can quickly learn whether you’re approved. » MORE: How to apply for a credit card so you’ll get approved What questions will I be asked…
How to Apply for a Credit Card: Questions You’ll Be Asked Read More »
To stand out in the highly competitive credit card market, issuers often load up their advertising with features and perks that sound impressive. But the truth is, some just aren’t. Take “zero fraud liability,” for example. This isn’t so much a feature as it is U.S. federal law. Essentially, all cards have it. Free credit…
10 of the Most Overhyped Credit Card Features Read More »
Cash-back credit cards range from straightforward to complex, but each can be rewarding. Every time you use a cash-back credit card to make a qualifying purchase in store or online, it earns a percentage of the amount paid. That means if you spend $500 on a card that earns 1.5% cash back, you’ll earn $7.50…
How Do Cash-Back Credit Cards Work? Read More »
The credit card market is highly competitive and constantly evolving. Lately, that means new cards that give consumers more choice. As this trend continues into 2022, credit card shoppers will need to know what to look for. What does a good credit card look like these days? Annual fees, sign-up bonuses, rewards rates and 0%…
Best Credit Cards of 2022: 4 Features to Look For Read More »
The holiday season has finally arrived and, hopefully, this year you’ll be able to safely partake in some of the festivities instead of tuning in over a video call. This time around you might be sitting next to someone over Thanksgiving dinner or snagging deals in a store. Before spending, though, use this month as…
NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for November 2021 Read More »
October is the gateway to the holiday season. The first few weeks tend to be the calm before a storm of nonstop shopping, travel and festivities. By taking the time right now to employ a strategy for your credit cards, you can stay true to financial goals, like paying down debt and scoring good deals…
NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for October 2021 Read More »
When Dawne Novinger’s go-to gym in Portland, Oregon, was ordered to close amid COVID-19 shutdowns in spring 2020, she assumed she wouldn’t be charged the regular monthly fee. Surprised to see the full $159 monthly membership charge on her credit card statement, she called the gym to request a refund. Unsurprisingly under the circumstances, no one…
It’s Not Too Late to Reclaim Money ‘Lost’ to COVID Disruptions Read More »
Chase is using a new and expanded definition of “cash-like transactions,” which for Chase credit card holders refers to purchases that trigger the penalties of taking a cash advance. Cash advance rules can vary by card, but they often include expensive fees and interest while also disqualifying the purchase from earning rewards, such as cash…
What to Know About Chase’s New Policy on ‘Cash-Like Transactions’ Read More »
If you’re celebrating the holiday season at home this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, then you probably aren’t using up your travel rewards points. Instead of watching those points languish, consider turning them into holiday gifts — you can stretch your budget while taking advantage of new offers from credit card issuers. Amid the pandemic,…
How to Turn Unused Credit Card Rewards Into Holiday Gifts Read More »