// Credit Cards
Credit Cards
Sugar Editorial Picks
Debt Collectors Are Getting Desperate and Dirty
The bad economy isn’t just affecting consumers struggling with debt; it’s making debt collectors more desperate, too. According to the Federal Trade Commission, complaints about harassing phone calls from debt collectors increased by 50 percent last year, and will continue to rise this year.
What kind of harassment, you ask?
Report Says We Are Less Behind on Bills
It seems the tough economy has taught us some important lessons, or at least better credit habits. According to the American Bankers Association, the number of Americans who are behind on their credit card payments has fallen to an eight-year low. CNN reports:
High unemployment and plummeting home values during the financial meltdown appear to have spurred consumers to shore up their finances and banks to limit their lending, resulting in fewer Americans being late with payments, the industry group said.
6 Common Credit Card Conundrums Clarified
Credit cards can be your best financial friend and your worst enemy. No matter how organized you are, staying within your limit, finding a card with a fair interest rate, and making payments is a monthly challenge. I get questions every day from readers about how to manage and navigate offers and keep your credit score sky-high.
Twilight Saga Prepaid MasterCards: Brilliant or Baffling?
Edward Cullen might not buy you dinner anytime soon, but you can buy dinner with his face! Summit Entertainment has inked a deal with MYPLASH Prepaid Cards to release a series of reloadable prepaid and prepaid gift cards. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse MYPLASH Prepaid MasterCard cards will be available July 1 and feature images from Eclipse.
Are Your Facebook Friends Affecting Your Credit?
While I've shied away from giving out my phone number at stores, I've never thought too long or hard about rambling off my zip code at the checkout. It always seemed like kind of a non-issue and that there was nothing too revealing or too personal there that couldn't be shared. Truth is, it's actually pretty personal and reveals a lot more than you might think.
Do You Do Paperless?
It's hard to keep track of which papers to keep around — bills, credit card statements, investment updates — there's a lot to keep track of. But, there is a way to lighten the load that helps benefit banks, the environment, and you. Going paperless and receiving online statements is an easy way to save trees, save banks some cash, and help you stay organized online without the clutter of excess documents at home.
New Overdraft Rules Are Scaring Your Bank
In August, new rules will go into effect preventing your bank from charging you overdraft fees — and your bank is freaking out.
Many banks automatically enroll customers in overdraft services: if you try to make a debit card or ATM transaction without sufficient funds, the bank spots you the money and charges you a fee. (This is different from overdraft protection that’s connected to a savings account.) The problem is it’s usually not until you get home and log into your account that you realize you’ve been charged a $35 overdraft fee for that $3 latte.
I'm Asking: How Much Plastic Do You Carry?
In 2010, many of us have resolved to pay down debt and keep up our good spending habits. We're focused on keeping good credit and paying down remaining card balances. Many people have already been using debit more as credit rules are changing.
Biggest Headlines of 2009: Family Receives 445 Credit Card Offers in One Year
It was a big year for credit card companies in the news — mostly because of ridiculously high interest rates — but, in any case, they remained a hot topic all year long. Still, maybe nothing was as shocking as the news of one family who received an outrageous total of 445 credit card solicitations, weighing over 23 pounds. Isn't that timely?
How Your Zero-Balance Credit Card Could Cost You
Think you’re avoiding extra fees by being savvy and paying off your credit cards in full every month? Maybe not any more. Some companies, including Bank of America and Citigroup, may start charging credit card holders for not using their cards enough.
More on SavvySugar
Summer 2010
Top Brands
Cyberjammies
Jucca
Lanvin