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There are many rewards that come with using credit cards responsibly. With rewards cards, you can rack up points to earn free travel, gift cards, and even cash. On the surface, using credit cards to pay your bills looks like a great idea. Why not get paid to buy what you’re going to buy anyway?
The problem is that while taking advantage of credit card rewards is completely possible, it’s not the best choice for everyone.
When we think of salary negotiations, many of us think mainly of annual pay. How much money will we receive for our work?
If you’re looking for a more satisfactory life, however, you shouldn’t get caught up in trying to negotiate more pay. Instead, look at the entire benefits package.
Think about how your overall situation would improve if you negotiated the following portions of your benefits package: [ continue reading… ]
When it comes to credit cards, we’re quite a nonchalant society. They’ve become so commonplace that we tend to be looser than we should. Once upon a time, they were handled with kid gloves, treated with respect, and almost never used online. We were afraid to send our info out into the Great Beyond, but, as of 2012, consumers spent $226 billion online (Forrester Research).
That number is expected to soar by 2016 to 327 billion dollars — excluding the sales of cars, homes, gasoline and groceries. $327 billion!
With this rampant credit card use, we have to tighten things up and protect ourselves from overspending. When we fail to make any rules for our own spending, bad things happen. We run up debt and create psychological pressure on ourselves to pay it off, knowing we probably won’t.
But with smart use of our cards, we can avoid that abysmal feeling of loss and torment when we look at our bills. [ continue reading… ]
Have you ever wondered what happened to the station wagon and the light-duty pickup truck?
Not very long ago, these two types of vehicles were beloved haulers for families, and the ride of choice for the workingman on a budget. But these days, the only station wagons and compact pickup trucks you see tend to be lovingly preserved antiques belonging to enthusiasts.
What happened?
While there are several factors that have brought about the death of these useful vehicles, for the most part, they’ve been the casualties of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. CAFE, which stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy, is a government mandate for fuel economy targets for automobiles and trucks.
The intention behind the CAFE standards is an excellent one: the government is trying to partner with the automobile industry to improve fuel economy, which is better for the environment, consumers’ wallets, and lessening our dependence on foreign oil.
However, the way the standards are currently written, this noble intention is backfiring — with the most obvious evidence the fact that station wagons and light pickups are going the way of the dodo.
The holidays are swiftly approaching, and many early bird shoppers are already making their lists. With a multitude of financing options available, it can be confusing to determine which is best for you.
Although the best way to finance your shopping is by planning ahead and utilizing holiday savings accounts or good old-fashioned cash, many people find themselves choosing between racking up credit card debt or using retailers’ layaway plans.
With the new iPhones rolling out this month, many consumers are considering upgrading their cell phones. But what does upgrading really cost you? Is signing a contract worth it? Here’s a detailed look at the true cost of smartphones.
How Much Money Do Contracts Save?
I recently spent some time asking cell phone owners about their opinions on cell phone contracts. Most consumers in my area seem to despise the idea of being locked into a new contract every two years, but also see it as a necessary evil.
“Most phones are outdated in two year’s time, so you’ll need something new by then anyways,” stated one shopper looking at a Samsung Galaxy. When I mentioned the option of buying a phone outright, without a contract, I was greeted by blank “are you serious?” stares that suggested I had a few marbles missing.[ continue reading… ]
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