By Shannon Peddicord
If you place a catalog or online order, the retailer uses your credit card number and expiration date to obtain an authorization for the purchase amount. If you decide to cancel your order after sharing your credit card information, you'll need to act quickly. In some cases the retailer can simply void your purchase, but sometimes they'll need to refund the purchase amount to your credit...
By Valencia Higuera
Having no credit history or bad credit can lower your odds of getting approved for an auto loan, credit card or mortgage loan. But fortunately, there are quick ways to establish a credit history. Before approving a loan request, lenders thoroughly evaluate an applicants credit history. This is how they determine whether you're a good candidate for a loan. If you don't have a credit...
By Alicia Bodine
There are several reasons a person may need to obtain a large personal loan. They may want to make some home improvements, go on a vacation, pay off another debt, or even start up a new business. In order to qualify for this type of loan, you need to have good credit or proof of your income. This is because this type of loan is not secured, and lenders need to know whether or not you are going ...
By Kristian Keefer
Trying to make your way in this world with no credit history can be just as difficult as having a poor credit history. A good credit history will result in better interest rates on loans, lower car insurance rates and the ability to purchase a home or a new car. If you do not have a credit history, a lender has no means to determine if you would be a responsible borrower. Start establishing a...
By M.D.W.
A credit card statement is a document credit companies send to consumers detailing the consumer's credit activity during a billing period. Above all things, credit card statements inform consumers of their total balance owed, the minimum payment amount due and the due date. To get the most information about your credit account, you should become familiar with the types of information provided ...
By Diane Szulecki
ATM/debit cards make purchases easy by directly withdrawing money from your account as soon as the transaction is made. For this reason, though, a security breach can be especially damaging to your finances. To keep your account information confidential and your money safe, it is important to exercise caution when using a debit card. Choose a PIN (personal identification number) that could not...
By Isabel Prontes
New York reverse mortgages are home equity loans that allow people to transfer some of their home's equity into cash while the ownership is maintained. A lot of people, particularly elderly individuals, find New York reverse mortgages to be an enticing option as they often are "rich" in terms of what they own, but not "rich" in terms of the amount of cash that they have on ...
By Robert Vaux
A personal budget is an invaluable tool to help keep your checkbook balanced and ensure that you are meeting all of your expenses during a given month. The secret lies in careful record keeping--noting all of your expenditures, comparing them to your earnings and determining where you can make cuts to keep from going into debt. Collect the previous two months of bills and financial statements in ...
By Charlie Rainer Gaston
Credit cards provide conveniences that most consumers are all too familiar with. From online purchasing to rewards programs, your credit card is more than just a credit line. But what happens if your credit card is stolen? What rights and protection do you have to safeguard your identity? Before you sign up for another credit card, there are a few facts you should know regarding protections...
By Sabah Karimi
Credit cards are a convenient way to pay for purchases when you do not have access to cash; using credit cards responsibly can help you build credit and improve your credit score. These cards are accepted by almost all merchants and sellers online and offline, and you may be eligible for free gifts, rewards and bonuses if you use the cards regularly. The most common types of credit cards...
By Sabah Karimi
The credit card annual percentage rate (APR) is used to calculate the total amount of interest charged to an account over the course of a year. The APR is a measure of the cost of borrowing money. Credit card issuers offer financing by adding either a fixed or variable interest rate to the account balance over the life of the account. Understanding what APR means is important when choosing...