3 Reasons People Use Interest Free Credit Cards
Posted on November 9th, 2011
Interest free credit cards are one of the most popular types of credit card around and so, if you are thinking of applying for a card, it is certainly worth knowing at least a little bit about them. This article looks at three reasons people use interest free credit cards and some of their key features.
Interest free payments
As you might expect, it is the ‘interest free’ component of this type of credit cards that helps to make them so popular with so many people. For those who are unfamiliar with them, when you are accepted onto one of these credit cards you get an initial period where you don’t have to pay any interest on your purchases.
This means that if you want to spread out paying off your balance over a few months, you will be able to do so without any interest building up.
Competitive APRs
Once the initial introductory interest free period has ended on your credit card, it will switch to the standard APR associated with the card. Typic Read full post…
Low-limit credit cards ‘can help to avoid overspending’
Posted on July 18th, 2011
Low-limit credit cards may be ideal for those who are looking to reduce their reliance on such products but wish to keep a card with them for emergencies.
This is according to Loren Baxter, writing for Lifehacker, who outlined a number of ways people can avoid overspending on credit.
She advised such individuals to make sure the card “has a low limit of no more than $1,000″ in order to minimise the risk of spending too much.
Those who are also concerned about the rates that apply to their credit card may wish to seek consumer advice on how to switch to a cheaper or more competitive product.
A growing number of Australians may be being more cautious with their credit cards and other financial products, as department store chain David Jones recently expressed its surprise that consumers are not spending more given the countrys relatively solid economy, ABC reports.
Tags: Cards, Credit Cards
No Comments »
Aussies ‘should pay off credit cards promptly’
Posted on July 18th, 2011
People who plan to compare credit cards and new plastic should ensure they pay off their bills promptly at the end of each month, according to one expert.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, director of Anise Consulting Heather Smith said this form of payment can be very convenient for Aussies to have in their wallets.
Indeed, she observed that when “times are tough” a credit card can be a valuable tool to aid cash flow.
However, the expert added a word of caution that those going online to compare credit cards may want to heed.
“If you let payments slip, it can be a real effort to get it back to a zero balance,” she asserted.
Aussies were recently warned to be alert to online scams designed to get credit card details and money.
Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully cited as an example of this a recent spate of emails offering recipients £2 million ($3.28 million), which were distributed to inboxes across the country and purported to be from British prime minister David Cameron.
Tags: Cards, Credit Cards
No Comments »
Cash Back Credit Cards: Eat This, Not That Analysis of the Chase Freedom Visa
Posted on July 16th, 2011
After the pronounced period of uncertainty that followed the credit crisis, it is now clear that cash back credit cards have returned in full force. Since the fall of 2010, credit card companies have been ramping up not only the quality and size of bonus incentives, but also, the overall quality of the underlying reward programs. This trend has accelerated in 2011 as credit card companies have upped sign-up incentives to unprecedented levels.
In many ways, today’s cash back credit card offerings are as good, if not better than they were before the credit crisis. Nevertheless, there are vast differences in the terms and conditions of these offers, many of which share the same name and rewards structure.
This article is the first in a series of posts that will adopt the approach to food taken in the popular book Eat This, Not That and apply it to credit cards. T
Tags: Back Credit, Back Credit Cards, Cards, Credit Cards
No Comments »
PlayStation users urged to stop their credit cards
Posted on July 9th, 2011
PlayStation owners in Australia may want to go online to compare credit cards after the New South Wales (NSW) Police fraud squad warned customers to cancel their plastic.
Sony revealed that hackers stole personal data, which may have included credit card details, for up to 77 million people.
Among the details taken were names, addresses, email addresses, birthdates, passwords and logins.
NSW police detective superintendent Col Dyson told the Sydney Morning Herald that with enough information, fraudsters could do almost anything that a legitimate person could.
“Personal or financial information is a valuable commodity and generally these days we find organised groups harvesting information and then selling it to other groups to use,” he warned.
Those affected by the security breach may want to consider taking the opportunity to compare credit cards and opt for a different deal.
This comes after Police Credit Union marketing manager Christie Brock told Your Mortgage that people buying goods online should take care to protect their details.
Tags: Cards, Credit Cards
No Comments »
Aussies to use credit cards to buy drive-through groceries?
Posted on July 3rd, 2011
People looking for more convenient ways of doing their shopping could find using their credit card to pay for their goods online and picking them up at a drive through may save them time and effort.
News.com.au reports that Coles has begun trialling a system to use its petrol stations as a pickup point for customers who have bought their goods over the internet and paid with a debit card.
Customers using the Click and Collect scheme would be able to visit the forecourt of one of 620 stores nationwide that are participating to collect their groceries between 15:00 local time and midnight.
Trails have already begun and the company will make a decision whether to expand the service in the next six months.
General manger for online at Coles Keith Louie told the Australian Financial Review that it could potentially “change the way people shop”.
Those who use credit cards for the service may also be looking to reduce the amount of debt they carry on their plastic, as according to the Australian Debt Study, 60 per cent of people will look to pay off some of their outstanding charges in the next six months.
Tags: Credit, Credit Cards
No Comments »