Are Store Credit Cards Worthwhile?

Okay, so I’ve been holiday shopping and about a dozen or so times so far this festive season I’ve been greeted at the checkout by a cashier who wants to know A. If I have “insert store’s name here” credit card and  B. Would I like to sign up for one? Usually doing so results in an immediate benefit such as fifteen percent or so off my purchase that day. Of course, there are usually exclusions and so any big screen televisions or similar big ticket items that I’d like to buy would be exempt to such a large discount (but would probably be eligible for a somewhat smaller discount). Regardless, money off is money off and with so many looking to save (as well as Holiday shop) during tough economic times store credit cards may sound appealing. The question is, after the immediate discount are they really worthwhile?

It depends. The problem with these cards is that they generally come with hefty interest rates, which can nullify any savings you’ve received. If you’re saving fifteen percent one day, but paying twenty-nine percent or so in interest, it’s really not the best deal. However, like most credit cards the benefits are biggest for those who are able to pay off their balances each month, avoiding  paying interest entirely while  still enjoying all the benefits of the card. Unfortunately due to very large interest rates, if you’re not the type that’s in the habit of paying off your entire balance each and every month, no store credit card is likely for you. None I’ve found, at least.

If you are a full balance payer then you then you’ll want to look at  any yearly fees or other fees your prospective card comes with before adding it to your plastic shopping arsenal. According to Consumer Reports some cards worth considering are those offered by Gap, Banana Republic, Piperlime, Athleta and Old Navy as they offer a fifteen percent credit on your first purchase as well as five points for each dollar spent at any of the aforementioned retailers. Furthermore, the Barnes and Noble card is given high marks, as it includes not only a twenty five dollar gift card, but up to five percent off purchases as well.

Online Loan Comparison

computer-moneySince the recession is not truly over, many people are forced to rely on loans of any type to pay bills. However, finding a company or financial institution that would be willing to offer loans and credit cards that are payable at convenient terms, can be frustrating and time consuming. Moreover, the terms and conditions for car loans, home loans, credit cards, etc’ are often filled with jargon and legalese, making them hard to understand.

An example of a site targeted for this problem is http://www.compare2save.com.au/. The site provides a list of trusted, regulated financial service providers, that can be easily compared. The financial services being compared are divided into such categories as: personal, car, home, savings, and bank accounts. Essentially, instead of going through the confusing maze of finding a reliable financial services provider that offers agreeable conditions, Compare2Save has picked the reputable companies that have a track record for working with consumers to get the loan they can afford.

Keep in mind that an online loan application is an accepted, economical and trustworthy approach, especially if you maintain your dealings with established companies and compare the various offers being presented to you. Additional benefit for consumers can also be gained from reading the site’s news and information sections, to make an informed decision before choosing the optimal loan or credit card.

The loan search process on the site is notably quick. For instance, a credit card seeker just has to pick the credit card type and then look at a chart of available cards before making a selection. This comparison chart will provide such information as: the lender, introductory and ongoing interest rates, balance transfer, interest free period, etc’. The most affordable loans will be at the top of the list and, from that point on, you can continue to the actual financial service provider site to complete your application. Overall, the information on the site is laid out in a simple and easy to understand manner, which is a welcome approach, considering that many loans today are known for being mired with small print.

Check out the Compare 2 Save website to get an idea of what to look for in a financial help resource and how you can fully benefit from utilizing it.

3 Ideas to Increase Your Wealth Short, Medium and Long Term

personalwealthLet’s increase our wealth so that we can live life the way we want to. Here’s a few suggestions that I hope you will find useful:

Short – Use A Cash Back Credit Card: I am a big supporter of these cards, because I put EVERYTHING on credit. No, I don’t need to, and no, I don’t ever carry a balance. I’m the exact wrong customer that the credit card companies want, but that’s fine. I pile all my purchases on the old cash back CC, pay it off in full at the end of the month, and then enjoy a percentage of my money back for things I was going to buy anyway. I spend a lot, so even a low percentage adds up. This way I get an interest free loan from using the credit card and paying the loan before its due, as well as free money as cash back, as an added bonus.

Short To Medium – Talk To The Big Boss Man or Woman: Realize that your superiors at work are not scary ogres, but instead are valuable assets which can be effectively used to increase your own monetary gain. And I hate to say it, but ass kissing works. If your boss likes you, then your boss will be more likely to increase your salary. Also, if your boss realizes that you are a needed asset, your stock again rises. The most important thing here is really communication. Ask for that raise, don’t just cross your fingers and hope it will happen — because. these days, it probably won’t. Push yourself forward, and provide the results that will make you an invaluable asset to those in charge. If that’s not possible, blackmail is your next step — just kidding.

Long, But Not That Long – Buy Real Estate Now: When the real estate market crashes it’s bad for everybody except those with money in the bank. There are ridiculously under priced homes out there right now, and some real steals going on in the foreclosure arena. If you have cash in the bank and some time before retirement you are missing out on a gold mine by not investing in the market during this low time. Notably, this kind of fertile ground for real estate investing isn’t likely to return anytime soon, if at all. Make the right moves now, and it could pay off ten fold.

Credit Cards For Those With Bad Credit

badcreditoffers

With a global economic credit crisis in full swing, many folks have seen their credit limits lowered and their interest rates rise. Unfortunately for many, getting a new credit card has been made almost impossible especially for those bad credit scores. It’s important for those with bad credit to have a credit card as having a credit card and making regular payments on it can significantly help to restore one’s credit rating.

If you are among the millions of Americans who have a bad credit score you may want to check out a great website which provides information on credit cards for bad credit clients. The website is called Bad Credit Offers, and can be found at Badcreditoffers.com. It’s an excellent resource for those with bad credit, as it offers information on where to find bad credit credit cards, as well as bad credit loans. Badcreditoffers.com is an established and trusted site which has been a popular portal for those looking to improve their bad credit since 2005. One aspect of the website that I particularly like is that the interest rates on the cards listed are between 7.9 percent and 19.92 percent, which is a lot better than most of the rates generally offered to those with bad credit.

Ready to Bank with Redneck?

redneckbankcardTo add some offbeat news to the current financial situation, I have decided to write about an interesting bank that has a unique marketing strategy, as well as offering good value for its customers. The name of the bank is…Redneck Bank – where bankin’s funner. Yes, the bank is FDIC insured and is part of the Bank of the Wichitas, which was established in 1913 and currently has a 4-star rating. The bank offers a fairly decent APY on their main checking account – 5.25% for up to $25,000 (2.25% for above). Considering that most savings account interest rates are plummeting, this rate is very respectable.

Once you sign up, you get the checkcard with the horse picture and the slogan “where bankin’s funner” on it or a more standard looking card.  ATM fees are refunded if the following monthly requirements are met: minimum 10 VISA CheckCard purchases as well as statements are delivered solely in electronic format. If these are not met, the rate falls to 0.25%. There are no minimum balance requirements and no monthly service charges. If you require less services, the bank offers a ‘mega money market’ account for 3.10%  APY and there is also an account option for people with bad or no credit. Details of all the accounts are found in the deposit account agreement.

Although this was surely done to attract attention, I’m not certain that lots of consumers will be comfortable with opening an online account at the Redneck Bank. Otherwise, as the horse on the website says, you may consider to “buck yer old bank” and join this one.