With summer right around the corner, we thought it would be the perfect time to revisit some common credit card issues that come up during travel. While your mind may be on soaking up the sun on the beaches in the Bahamas, it’s important not to let these issues creep up and potentially ruin your vacation.
The purpose of this 8 step credit card guide is to, well…guide you through the process of choosing, using, and managing a credit card responsibly. Through responsible use, we’re strong believers that credit cards can help improve people’s finances. This guide will help prepare you for that journey.
Most of us have heard the horror stories of misusing credit cards. Exorbitant fees, sky-high interest rates, and financial ruin are all there in gruesome detail. On the other side of the coin, financial writers tout the virtues of credit cards; rewards, credit-building, and convenience.
We’re not here to sugar coat the reality of using credit cards – if credit cards are not used responsibly, bad things can and do happen!
There once was a time when small business credit cards were few and far between, but times have changed. Today small businesses have significantly more options to choose from. Small business is behind much of the economic growth in Canada, so it should come to no surprise credit card issuers are really making a push for their business. With so many credit cards out there, choosing the right one be a daunting task. Let’s take a look at what’s going on in the small business credit card space, as well as the benefits and factors to consider.
Credit cards are a useful financial tool when used responsibly. That means paying off your balance in full before the end of your grace period. Personal finance expert Pattie Lovett-Reid recently wrote an article on credit card rules to live by. We thought it would be fun to borrow some of her rules and expand upon her list. Although this may be common knowledge for some, everyone needs a refresher sometimes.
Although credit cards may have evolved a lot over the years, cardholders are still required to sign the back of credit cards. While most people sign without giving it much thought, have you ever stopped to think why you’re asked to sign on the reverse side of your credit card? With a string of high-profile credit card breaches in the news – most recently at The Home Depot – security is top of mind for many cardholders.
Premium credit cards are a great way to earn rewards – too bad they almost always come with hefty annual fees. Although the annual fee may be worth it if you’re a big spender, for a lot of people the fee could prove more costly than the rewards you’ll actually earn. The good news is there’s a way to have your cake and eat it, too.
