Q&A: How Can I Close Credit Card Accounts Without Hurting My Credit Score?

Mary writes: Since turning 18 (I’m now 26), I have already amassed nine different credit cards with a combined credit limit of around $30,000. I’m paying down a combined credit card debt on four of these cards of about $20,000. I’d like to … [Read more...]

The Advanta Kiva BusinessCard: A Credit Card for the Socially-Conscious Entrepreneur

Advanta, proprietors of super low-rate credit cards specifically marketed to small business owners, recently introduced the Kiva BusinessCard, a 7.99% APR credit card that will match users' grants to Kiva, the Web’s first person-to-person … [Read more...]

Student Loans Drying Up: What You Must Know About Borrowing This Fall

Many students nationwide may find themselves scrambling to find student loans to pay for tuition this September. According to an ABC News report, more than 100 lenders nationwide have announced they will cease offering student loans due to the … [Read more...]

Avoid Credit Card Foreign Currency Transaction Fees

American credit cards—Visa and MasterCard in particular—are increasingly accepted all over the world. Although these credit cards can be a convenient way to pay while traveling aboard, be prepared to pay foreign currency transaction fees of up to … [Read more...]

Business Credit Cards

Business credit cards are the credit card industry’s best-keep secret. They often feature lower APRs, better rewards, higher credit limits, and better introductory terms than consumer cards—and anybody with good credit can get one. No business? … [Read more...]

American Express Launches Text Message Balance Inquiries

American Express announced a new service allowing holders of American Express credit cards the ability to review credit card balances on their mobile phones by sending a text message to “MYAMEX”. Consumers with Chase credit cards already … [Read more...]

Your First Mortgage: How to Apply and Get Approved

Mortgage crises or not, it’s still a great time to buy your first home. Be smart, however, and have a pre-approved mortgage in hand before going house hunting. Applying for (and getting approved for) a mortgage before you shop could save you time, … [Read more...]

Credit Karma: A Truly Free Credit Score

Want to know how your credit score stacks up? Check out Credit Karma, a site that lets you check and track your credit score for free without subscribing to anything...REALLY. No, it's not a scam. You'll have to create an account and provide your … [Read more...]

Personal Loans vs. Credit Cards

If you had to tap unsecured credit to meet an unexpected expense, you would probably turn to your credit cards without much thought. There is, however, another option. Personal loans – also called signature loans – may or may not be a better … [Read more...]

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Transferring a Credit Card Balance

Struggling with credit card debt? Low-rate balance transfers can save you wasted cash. But before you transfer a balance, double check to be sure moving your balance won’t do more harm than good. … [Read more...]