There’s talk that consumer credit card debt may set a record and potentially exceed $1 trillion this year. We already set another record, with the largest net increase in consumer debt since 2007 ($80 billion). Wow! But should we see accumulating more credit card debt this year as inevitable? I, for one, don’t think so. […]
Black Friday is approaching, so if you’re among the majority of Americans who waited until this month to do your holiday shopping, it’s time to formulate a game plan. One reason we tend to put off shopping is that we don’t know what to get for the people on our list, as trying to find […]
It’s always startling to get those bank letters in the mail that say “important information enclosed.” I got one last week notifying me that my account “may have been” compromised. As a precaution, my bank was sending me an entirely new debit card and number (my first chip card — a sign of how long […]
I recently saw traveler’s checks mentioned and thought “What? Those are still around? What exactly are they, anyway? Checks are becoming rare. Shouldn’t traveler’s checks be obsolete now that we have credit cards and electronic banking? Well, here’s what I found. American Express started issuing traveler’s checks in 1891 as a convenient, secure way for […]
I’m a sucker for a good deal and feel proud when I avoid spending money I don’t have to. More than once, I’ve let eagerness to save money lead me to do things that eat up any perceived savings, and then some. I learn from my mistakes, but it’s even better to avoid these pitfalls […]
Debt plagues millions of Americans each year, and it can be hard to make a dent in your debt, especially if you’re already living paycheck to paycheck. One solution to pay off debt quicker is to use a 0% APR transfer credit card for a promotional period. I know what you are thinking. Credit cards […]
