Advice & Expertise Blog

Articles in May 2017

1. 

   What happens to credit card obligations when a loved one dies?

   Natalie Hollingshead May 31, 2017  •  3 Minute Read

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   One of the last things you want to deal with after the death of a loved one is his or her credit card debt. Depending on the type of account and laws where you live, dealing with credit card obligations after the death of a loved one may be a fact of life. The sooner you know what you’re dealing with, the better.

2. 

   6 Credit Myths That Won’t Go Away

   Jason Steele May 30, 2017  •  3 Minute Read

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   Do you find your credit score and credit reports to be a little bit mysterious? If so, then you’re not alone. The companies that create credit scores use secret formulas, and everyone else is left to guess what’s in it. Furthermore, there are many aspects of credit scores that are counterintuitive and seem to defy common sense. As a result, there are plenty of myths that have persisted about credit and credit scores.

3. 

   Best Credit Cards for a Large Purchase

   Holly Johnson May 26, 2017  •  6 Minute Read

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   If you have a large purchase coming up and don’t have the cash, you have myriad options at your disposal. You could spend months saving small sums to reach your goal, or you could take out a personal loan. If neither of those options seem appealing, you could sign up for a new credit card instead.

4. 

   4 Signs a Credit Card Offer Is Too Good to Be True

   CreditSoup Staff May 25, 2017  •  4 Minute Read

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   Credit card offers are everywhere. Boot up your computer, type "credit card" into your favorite search engine, and you'll be inundated with hundreds (if not thousands) of options. Some cards are objectively better than others, but how do you spot the truly terrible ones?

5. 

   Using Credit Cards Rewards for Vacation Expenses

   Natalie Hollingshead May 24, 2017  •  3 Minute Read

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   The only thing better than a vacation is a free vacation. Sound too good to be true? Well, for many savvy credit card users, free, nearly free, or on-the-cheap vacations are a way of life. Using travel credit cards can help you earn that summer vacation of your dreams without putting a luxury-vacation-sized dent in your wallet.

6. 

   How to Score Credit Card Incentives Without Going Broke

   Kat Tretina May 23, 2017  •  3 Minute Read

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   When it comes to shopping for a new credit card, there are hundreds of bonus offers and sign-up incentives. Sometimes worth hundreds of dollars, credit card companies tempt thousands of airline miles or cash back rewards to convince you to apply for their card.

7. 

   Is There Such a Thing as Too Many Credit Cards?

   Kirsten Thuringer May 19, 2017  •  4 Minute Read

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   Since the dawn of credit cards, man has struggled with one nagging question: Cash or credit? Some people claim you should ditch cards altogether to avoid debt, while others argue it’s smarter to responsibly use credit to rack up rewards. Regardless of your spending habits, most financial experts would say it’s a good idea to have at least one card to build your credit history.

8. 

   How to Boost Your Odds of Credit Card Approval

   CreditSoup Staff May 18, 2017  •  4 Minute Read

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   Finding a credit card that's a good fit for your lifestyle is hard enough, but getting approval can seem like an impossible challenge. Rejection is never fun, and it's particularly painful to be rejected because of something as personal as your financial history.

9. 

   What You Should Know Before Doing a Balance Transfer

   Kat Tretina May 16, 2017  •  4 Minute Read

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   Most Americans have credit card debt, and the average household has a balance of $5,700. With the mean interest rate on credit card debt rising to 13.6% percent, your balance can quickly balloon out of control. You can end up paying hundreds or even thousands in interest fees, making it difficult to ever get out of debt.

10. 

    Keeping Your Credit Card Safe On Vacation

    Natalie Hollingshead May 12, 2017  •  4 Minute Read

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    All your bags are packed and you’re ready to go. However, before you head on that vacation, make sure you’ve packed more than one way to pay for all that fun you’re going to have. True, cash is king, but on vacation using a credit card is easier and offers more protection than toting around a wad of cash.

11. 

    Should You Pay Your Card’s Annual Fee? Here’s How to Decide

    Holly Johnson May 9, 2017  •  4 Minute Read

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    The best travel and rewards credit cards really can offer the unthinkable – something for nothing. By using your card for all your purchases, you can earn points redeemable for cash back, travel rewards, gift cards, or merchandise. The catch, however, is that you must avoid carrying a balance if you want to avoid credit card interest.

12. 

    4 Rewards Credit Cards That Can Maximize Your Memorial Day Weekend Plans

    Kat Tretina May 4, 2017  •  3 Minute Read

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    Memorial Day is just around the corner. This national holiday has become an occasion to enjoy summer cookouts, long weekends, and time with family and friends. If you’re planning an epic Memorial Day weekend, these 4 credit card offers can help you get valuable rewards to maximize your budget.

13. 

    Consider These Factors Before Choosing the Right Credit Card

    CreditSoup Staff May 3, 2017  •  3 Minute Read

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    Let’s face it: Sifting through credit card offers can be stressful. There are hundreds of available options, and each one offers different rates, terms, perks, and rewards. It’s overwhelming.

14. 

    Credit Score Vs. Credit Report, What’s The Difference?

    Jason Steele May 2, 2017  •  3 Minute Read

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    Credit can be very confusing. Americans can be granted or denied a loan and have very little understanding why. In addition, you have to make a special request to view your own credit report, and it can be dozens of pages long and almost appear to be written in a different language.

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