Home
About Us
Educational Resources
Site Map
Credit Compass
Contact Us
Calculator

HOLIDAY SPENDING
Credit Card Check List
BSI Registered
NIFE
The Christmas season is upon us, and it is the time of year when retailers and banks fall over themselves with incentives so that you, the consumer, can enjoy the holiday to the fullest. Buyer beware, though: those friendly “gifts” offering savings and convenience could be nothing more than cleverly disguised expenses. Take advantage of such offers and you may be paying for them long after the decorations have been taken down from the tree.
To protect yourself, budget properly and learn to avoid being lured in by tempting credit card offers. Here’s how:
  • Do not carry more than two credit cards. If you have more than two, cancel the higher-rate cards.
  • Do not use department store cards because you will find their rates are among the highest. Do not open a department store account to take advantage of a one-time discount.
  • Ignore pre-holiday credit limit increase offers from credit card companies.
  • Never accept an offer to skip or defer a payment.
  • You should plan to pay off credit card debt in full the following month. If that is not possible, try to pay it off within 90 days. Short of that, then always pay at least 2.5 percent of your starting balance. Never pay the minimum amount owed, as you will remain in debt for too many years to come.
  • Transfer balances carefully. These attractive-looking offers can be very costly. Always read the fine print before initiating a transfer.
  • Cash advances are among the most expensive loans you can find. Avoid them.
  • Determine your spending limit before you set foot in a store and don’t forget to shop with a list. Take a small notebook with you, too. If you must use a credit card, be sure to write down the amount of each purchase to better control your spending.

   ABOUT US
  DEBT CALCULATOR

  

  FINANCIAL WARNING SIGNS
  FAQ'S
  COLLECTION PRACTICES
    AND YOUR RIGHTS
  BANKRUPTCY FACTS
  

  EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
   DEBT SETTLEMENT
   BANKRUPTCY REFORM
   VETERANS BEWARE
   SUB PRIME LENDING
   STOP MORTGAGE FRAUD
   AVOID CREDIT / CHARGE
     CARD FRAUD
   CHOOSING CREDIT CARDS
   HOW MANY CREDIT CARDS
   ATM/DEBIT CARDS FOR THE
     "UNBANKABLE"
   CREDIT AND DIVORCE
   CREDIT SCORE
   DISPUTING YOUR CREDIT REPORT
   LOST OR STOLEN ATM OR
     CREDIT CARDS
   IDENTITY THIEVES
   MONEY MANAGEMENT
   66 THRIFTY WAYS TO SAVE
   LOANS AND YOUR HOME
   CO-SIGNING LOANS
   USING YOUR 401(k) TO PAY OFF
     CREDIT CARD BILLS
   PAY DAY LOANS
   CREDIT CARD BLOCKING
   WHAT IS PRE-TEXTING?
   
  

  NEW ARTICLES
   LENDERS TEMPTING AMERICANS
   HOW DOES YOUR DEBT COMPARE
   CREDIT CARD CASH ADVANCES
   BALANCE TRANSFER FACTS
   HOW TO PAY DOWN HOLIDAY
     BILLS
  

  HOLIDAY SPENDING
   DON'T GO OVERBOARD
   STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO WISE
     SPENDING
   CREDIT CARD CHECK LIST
   HOLIDAY SPENDING WORKSHEET
   HOW TO HAVE A DEBT-FREE
     HOLIDAY YEAR AFTER YEAR
   GIFT CARDS - ARE THEY WORTH
     WHAT YOU PAID FOR?
   LOW COST GIFT IDEAS
   GIVE GIFTS THAT WILL REWARD
     KIDS FINANCIALLY

  

  HELPFUL LINKS

  

  CONTACT US

  

  SITE MAP

  

  ESPANOL
Home / About Us / Educational Resources / Site Map / Contact Us / Debt Calculator
All Rights Reserved. Copyright© 1996-2008 - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy