Credit card companies are full of surprises this year. With new consumer protection – credit card laws starting this year, many credit card companies are already changing fee policies to make up for the consumer protections the banking industry perceives as revenue decreasing. Don’t be tempted by lower rate offer without reading the entire [...]

An important rule to becoming financially literate, don’t ignore your finances. This coming new year, new laws will take effect on the time limit and notification policies placed on credit card companies providing information on any changes to terms or rates to your account. Many of these notifications will require the card holder [...]

If you are like millons of Americans you are seeing the glimmers of evidence that the economy is turning around. The three years the nation has suffered under the failing economy has tested the financial planning abilites of most households. However, as you face your future and decide upon financial directions to travel, [...]

No time of the year can be more detrimental to one’s personal finances than the next 6 weeks of holiday celebrating and shopping. Between, shopping for gifts, preparing large meals, entertaining and friendly gatherings, a household budget can become strained and cause people to rely on credit cards, savings and even expensive payday (or auto [...]

Most people believe that paying their credit cards on time will prevent them from paying extra charges. However, card holders should double and thrice check their statements as many banks including Citibank are charging extra fees in the form of supplemental annual fees for instances such as a lack of transaction activity. (Remember if [...]

Any unplanned and/or unaccounted for holiday can leave a month feeling a little “longer” for anyone living on a “month to month” budget. Particular attention should be given to the holiday months and the high expenditure amount associated with this time of the year. Typically, the time spanning from Thanksgiving to New Years place [...]

Okay, the holidays are here. …I was lured to purchase candy by a Halloween display…away from the regular candy aisle. In addition, I witnessed large quantities of canned pumpkins and cranberry products being stocked. Later, while watching the ball games, I noticed creditors gearing up for the spend-crazy, winter holidays. The creditors [...]

Kids have returned to school and between supplies, clothes and books needed to help those little darlings learn as much as possible, now is also the perfect opportunity to educate your youth on some sound principles of personal finance.
Allow kids to view and tabulate receipts for some or all of the goods purchased [...]

Each summer millions of people rush to the gym to improve their health and physical image in preparation for fun times in the sun. However, what’s a great outer appearance if your financial stress is eating cutting years off your life expectancy? However, don’t [...]

Today, there approximately 640 million credit cards in use, creating a $1.5 trillion habit…I mean industry. The average American carries about $8,000 in credit card debt. And in a time when the nation is suffering its worst economic environment since the depression, the banks are expected to collect over $20 billion in “over the [...]