Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards

Essential credit card information for managing your debt.

If you're looking for credit card information, you've come to the right place. Get the facts on credit card fees and programs, learn how to use credit cards wisely (get the benefits without the debt) and if you have gathered a bit of credit card debt, get the most effective methods on paying them off. Use these links to jump ahead to any section.

• Understanding credit card programs and fees
• Using credit cards wisely
• Getting out of credit card debt

Understanding credit card programs and fees

The Dirty Secrets of Credit Cards
Get the lowdown on some of the dirty practices credit card companies play when we're not looking. By Paul Michael

Credit Card Rewards Programs
With countless rewards programs available these days, how do you choose a credit card that offers the right program for you? Here is a breakdown of the kinds of programs available and how to get the most out of your rewards. By Nora Dunn

Credit Card Fees: Hidden and Otherwise
One way to prevent extra credit card fees is to know how--and where--credit card companies will charge you. Here, credit card jargon is explained, plus some tips on what to watch out for. By Nora Dunn

How to Avoid Getting Your Credit Card Canceled
Some people like to have their credit card available for emergencies, but be careful: that card might not be available to you, just when you need it the most. This article explores the various reasons why your credit card could be canceled on you, along with some tips to help avoid having your own credit card canceled -- possibly without notice. By Nora Dunn

How to Take Advantage of Free Extended Warranty from Your Credit Card Issuer
If you have a broken product whose manufacturer’s warranty has run out, another way to fix it (for free!) is to turn to free extended warranty offered by credit card companies. By Xin Lu

Can Your Spending Patterns Affect Your Credit?
Regardless of how fiscally cautious and responsible you are as a credit card holder, you may still be curious to know just how much credit card companies know about you through your card use. The truth is, our card spending patterns provide information that is monitored by issuers; and this data has been used to affect our credit ratings. By Silicon Valley Blogger

Credit Card Insurance? No Thanks.
Credit card companies have a knack for making their protection insurance sound attractive over the phone, but as always, don't sign on to anything without doing the necessary research. Here's what you should know and what you need to find out. By Nora Dunn

Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards: Fees and Fraud Protection
Hefty overdraft fees and less effective fraud protection are two reasons why people hesitate to use debit cards, opting for credit instead. But how does debit actually stack up against credit in these areas? By Will Chen

Dealing with Credit Card and Merchant Disputes
Federal law gives you the right to withhold credit card payment for defective products and services. But there are rules to follow, and some hoops to jump through. By Nora Dunn

How will the new credit card rules affect consumers?
A new bill that the Senate passed will change how the credit card industry works. Here is a run-down of the new rules and how they will affect you. By Xin Lu

Lower Credit Card Rates? Just Ask!
If you want to lower your interest rate and fees, just ask for it! Here's how you can go about getting what you want out of your credit card company. By Jessica Harp

Using credit cards wisely

10 Tricks to Save Money with Credit Cards
If you are careful about how you use your credit cards, you may actually come out ahead by using them, rather than if you just stuck to cash. Here are some actual strategies we can use to get the most out of our credit cards. By Silicon Valley Blogger

Personal or Business? Parameters for Choosing a Credit Card
We've all got our different reasons for making a particular product choice, and it's no different when it comes to shopping for a credit card. By Silicon Valley Blogger

10 Reasons Why I Prefer Credit Cards Over Cash
Silicon Valley Blogger explains how she uses her credit cards to maximize benefit without incurring fees. By Silicon Valley Blogger

Top Seven Reasons why I use my Credit Card for Everything
Nora explains why she uses her credit card for everything, but still avoids falling into the trap of building credit card debt. By Nora Dunn

Debit Or Credit? Which One Should You Choose At The Checkout
With various incentives and drawbacks in play, choosing between debit and credit is more than deciding whether to pay now or later. And as it happens, banks and stores care which method you use, too. By Paul Michael

Tallying the True Cost of Debt
The financial cost is easy to quantify. But the consequences of debt are never isolated. Our debt problem infects every aspect of our lives; it affects our careers, our family, and our peace of mind. By Bankrate

Insider's tip: how rewards credit cards end up costing you more
A former employee of a credit card issuer provided some interesting information from the inside about consumer behavior with rewards cards. By Will Chen

A Guaranteed Way To Avoid Impulse Credit Card Purchases
If you think you've tried everything to prevent impulse credit card purchases and you know you'll regret later, here's one that will cool down your urge in a jiffy. By Nora Dunn

Is your credit score suffering without your knowledge?
It's easy to hurt your credit score when you don't know when your credit limit has decreased. Here's what can happen, and how you can protect yourself. By Andrea Dickson

Getting out of credit card debt

Six Steps to Eliminating Your Debt Painlessly
If you have a number of different debt, you might be wondering where to start paying them off. Here's a smart strategy that will get you going. By Nora Dunn

5 Strategies To Wipe Out Your Credit Card Balance
So you're ready to stop using your credit card(s) recklessly, but what to do about a balance that has been piling up every month? Here are 5 strategies to help you reduce the debt on your cards and maintain a monthly balance that works for you. By Silicon Valley Blogger

Suze Orman Tells Us To Pay ONLY The Minimum On Credit Cards
Current economic times call for drastic measures, and Suze Orman has changed her stance on paying off all credit card balances as the very first money management advice. By Paul Michael

Goal Setting: Getting Out of Debt Once and For All
Getting out of debt is easier said than done, so start off on the right foot by setting the right kind of goal. By Nora Dunn

Why You Can’t Stick with a Budget
One of the most important tools for destroying debt is a budget. Creating a budget isn't all that hard. Sticking with one over time seems to be the tricky part. Is it possible to have a budget that you actually look forward to using? I know it is, because I've been doing it for years. By Stacy Johnson

How You Know When It’s Time For Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is the ultimate debt destroyer, because rather than paying it back, you're often wiping it out, or at least partially so. When is bankruptcy the right choice? Ultimately, you file bankruptcy because there’s no other way out. By Stacy Johnson

How Healthy is your Debt Management?
How well do you understand your debt and how to manage it? Here is a Financial IQ Test to help you determine how healthy your debt management techniques are. Even if you aren’t in debt, this quiz may be illuminating for you. By Nora Dunn

Solving a Debt Dilemma with Debt Settlement
Debt settlement companies are advertising a lot these days on TV, radio and online. If you're in a jam, they might sound tempting. Should you bite? I’d be super-careful. By Stacy Johnson

Dealing With Debt: Credit Counselors
There are three heavily advertised ways to find help to dig out of debt: credit counseling, debt settlement and bankruptcy. Which is best? Let's find out, starting with a closer look at credit counseling. By Stacy Johnson

6 Powerful Strategies For Paying Down Debt
Take control of your debt and commit to the following strategies so you can start using credit to get ahead, rather than always playing catch-up. By Bankrate

Setting Your Financial Goals
Whether you want to buy new furniture or a new house, the best way to raise the funds is usually by saving for it. Here are some tips on how to save for short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals. By Linsey Knerl

Credit Counseling: When you Need it and When you Don't
Is it time to see a credit counselor about your debt? If it is, find out how to find and what to ask to get the most out of it. By Nora Dunn