How to read a credit card statement and dispute charges.

(1) Type of Balance: Numbers to the right of "Purchases" refer to goods purchased. Numbers to the right of "Cash Adv" refer to cash advances (none on this statement example).

(2) Previous Balance: This shows the amount due on the previous month billing. Here is was $1,241.28.

(3) Average Daily Balance: Daily average used to compute finance charges. Not all banks use a Daily Average to compute interest.

(4) Percentage Rates: The interest on amounts not paid before the due date (#9). The Monthly Periodic Rate is simply the Annual Rate divided by twelve. In this example the bank charges the same 16.8% interest on purchases as it does on Cash Advances. Some banks charge more for Cash Advances.

(5) Charges: Amount charged to card in past month. New charges.

(6) Payments: Amount paid during the month. On this example $1,231.28 was paid. Note that the previous balance was $1,241.28 so the bill was not paid in full. A balance of $10 is still owed.

(7) Finance Charges: Because payments (#6) were $10 less than the previous balance (#2), finance charges apply to ALL the new charges (#8) of $1,454.95. The Finance Charge for the month is $21.26. It was computed by multiplying the monthly rate (1.4%) by the average daily balance shown in (#3).

(8) New Balance: The sum of (#5) and (#7). This is the amount that should be paid by the payment due date (#9) to avoid further finance charges.

(9) Payment: Pay by this date to avoid finance charges. The Grace Period in this example is 25 days.

(10) Account Number:  Do not give the number out except to make a purchase.

(11) Credit Limit: How much the bank will let you charge.

(12) Transaction Date: The date an item was purchased or a payment received by the bank.

(13) Posting Date: The date the bank received the charge slip from the merchant. Usually only a few days after the Transaction Date.

(14) Reference Number: Unique number applied to each purchase or payment.

Credit Card Tips

Credit card companies are taking all the steps to make sure they will be ready for the new laws in February 2010. Some companies are ready and others are getting more prepared. Disclosing the terms and conditions in an easy to understand way is part of the new law. 

The companies usually offer consumers a card that fits their credit type even if it was not the card inquired about. When consumers are offered different cards, they will also get information about the terms and conditions associated with the card offer before the application is processed.

Cards have different APR information and will state if the APR will apply to cash advances and what can cause it to rise or fall. Some companies increase the rate when payments are late or the credit limit has been exceeded. Information about processing fees will be provided and may vary depending on credit worthiness.

Secured credit cards as other credit cards have different fees, terms, and conditions. Processing fees can range from $0 to $35. Every company is different and may require low security deposits or high deposits. They can change the APR and can apply payments to lower APR balances before applying it to higher balances. When seeking a credit card, it is important to read all the terms and conditions for fees. For example, if you select that you want your credit card delivered quickly, it could cost you.

Make sure you know who your credit card issuer is, their phone number, how they process your personal information, and if they share your personal information with third parties. keep all your credit card account numbers in a safe place along with phone numbers in case you ever need to report a lost or stolen card. Always report lost cards immediately. Having a credit card is a privilege and the terms and conditions for using the credit card must be followed.

Credit Cards

Credit cards can have great benefits and rewards that are specific to certain cards. Usually the more the card is used and the higher the annual fee, the more benefits are offered. There can be points to collect and exchange for things like airline tickets, contributions to a favorite cause, restaurant discounts, and hundreds of perks from which to choose.

Benefits are offered to get consumers to choose one card over another. There must be something unique as interest rates and other financial benefits are often alike among credit card companies. A free trip earned through points can be great for those consumers who use a card often and like to travel. When the balance is paid off every month, it may be even easier to get the benefits offered.

When you choosing a card with benefits or points, it is better if you will really use the rewards. Read about the terms and any deadlines for using perks. Check your spending level against the amount required to earn the benefits to figure out if you will use the card enough to earn the rewards. If for example, you like to use a specific resort, make sure the card you use will provide rewards for that specific resort. Sometimes there is a time frame for using the rewards and they may expire or not expire. Another example of a credit card with perks is one that offers rewards to get a rental car. Having credit cards with perks can be a way to get benefits, save money, and get points to spend at specific places when credit cards are used frequently.

Order Online Without Credit Card - Some consumers want to shop online yet they don't have unsecured credit cards because of bad credit. Here's how you can order online without a credit card... well, without a typical credit card.

Get Catalog Card Information and Apply Online - Click Here

A typical unsecured credit card generally requires a credit check and often results in rejection of bad credit people. And that is the primary reason why some people see a way to shop online without credit cards.

Yet there is an unsecured line of credit for online shopping, even for very bad credit people. It's called a catalog store card.

How it works: An online shopping club offers an unsecured line of credit to almost anyone. Members get to shop the club's website and order merchandise, and the club sets up a repayment plan.

Benefits of this solution are that approval is almost guaranteed since the application doesn't require a credit check, plus the line of credit is rather large, up to several thousand dollars. Also, many of the products do not require a down payment.

If you're looking for a way to buy merchandise or gifts online without a standard credit card, consider a catalog store card.

Charity Gift Credit Cards - Donating money with a Charity Gift Card is not only a tax deduction, but it also makes you feel good. But just like all financial agreements, you need to be aware of the fine print.

You can either buy a gift card directly from a specific charity (if so offered) or if you don't have a specific charity in mind you could get a Pick Your Charity gift card. These cards let you give a specific amount of money to a person, who then gets to donate that amount to a charity of his/her choice.

Charity specific cards - Only a few of the nation's largest charities offer the option of buying a gift card. Some Goodwill stores have gift card options, but there's no national gift card policy, so availability and terms vary from region to region.

Pick Your Charity cards - If you don't have a specific cause in mind, consider this type of gift card. The cards are bought online; purchasing them is similar to any type of gift card. Select the format the card will be delivered in, either e-mail or US mail. Load it with a donation value and enter the recipient's information. After getting the gift, the recipients turn philanthropic donors by going online to the gift card's Web site and clicking the charity of their choice to receive the card's amount.

Fine Print items to be watchful:

* Fees: All the money you donate may not go directly to the charity. Some may give a percentage to the group providing the card. For example, it costs between $1.50 and $5 just to purchase the card. After money is placed on the card, fees for shipping, handling, administrative needs or credit card processing are deducted from that amount. CharityChoice gift cards, for instance, feature a transaction fee of 50 cents per card, a card processing fee of 3 percent and an administrative fee of 5 percent.

* Speed: The money that does go to the charity doesn't always go right away. Some organizations only transfer funds to the designated charities on a quarterly basis.

* Expiration dates: A few have them, meaning that well-meant cash will go to the card issuer, not a cause. Network for Good's Good Card, for example, expires after just six months. (They recently changed it from one year.) It then takes the unused funds "to train thousands of charities in outreach and help them raise funds online." The Credit CARD Act of 2009 -- which also addresses gift cards -- says gift cards can't expire for at least five years after they were last loaded with money. However, those changes don't take effect until August 2010, so in the meantime, it's important to pay attention.

* Tax benefits: The card giver gets a tax deduction for the face value of the gift card. The recipient, who designates where the money will go, doesn't get a tax break.

* Varying number of charities to choose from: Some cards let the donor select from varying numbers of charities. Too many could be overwhelming; too few hinder choice.

Credit Card Law

The credit card law will bring about changes for issuers and cardholders. Issuers will have restrictions on rate hikes, fees, and increased disclosure requirements. Those who borrow will need to know some provisions in the law and some loopholes. Sometimes a creditor will cut credit limits because credit scores drop, credit cards are not used much, or there is a change in the way payments have been made. There have been times when even good customers have had their accounts closed just due to not making charges. Consumers should try maintain good scores, pay on time, keep balances low, and try to avoid closing accounts unless it's necessary. It is also important to make some charges on credit cards that can be paid in full or on time each month.

If there have been many holiday purchases, it is best to try to pay them off or pay the balances down early into the New Year. By reducing outstanding balances, it can protect against negative changes to an account, and could improve credit scores. Even a lower balance could help cushion credit scores against credit limit reductions.

One important ratio in credit scoring formulas, is the amount of credit used versus credit limits. If limits are cut and debt doesn't decrease, scores could drop. It is important to open credit card statements in case card issuers send information to opt out of a change in terms. They must send out notices at least 45 days in advance of the effective date. That gives a limited time to decide whether to reject the proposed change, yet opting out cancels the account. When there are derogatory errors on reports, scores can be lower so it is important to check reports at each of the three major credit reporting agencies on a regular basis, especially if you want to apply for credit cards and you don't know what type of credit you have. When bills are usually paid late, credit can be less than perfect as late payments lower scores. In this case, one would need to apply for a card that approves less than perfect credit people.

Inactive Credit Cards

If you have a credit card that has not been used in a long time, you may want to consider using it fast. Some card issuers may close accounts that are not being used. Dormant accounts don't yield any profits to institutions. Some issuers may even charge inactivity fees for unused cards or may charge fees that don't have an annual spending threshold. 

An account that does not have a balance could cause a drop in available credit, it is suggested that a card is used at least once every few months so the issuer sees some gain. It won't matter even if balances are paid in full after getting the statement, the card issuer can  generate income from interchange fees from transactions which could be as much as 3% of a purchase price.

There are many issuers that are offering great reward programs like Chase for those consumers who are wanting to apply for an unsecured credit card before it is time to take their summer vacations. Discover has a great cash back card and offers many online account features to manage the account. Compare credit card issuers to try to determine which card offers the rewards or perks that you will actually use. If you have a couple of cards that are still active, be sure to make some type of charge often to prevent the account from being closed. It can hurt credit to close long term accounts. If credit is not used, good credit habits like paying off balances are not being reported.

Credit Card

With the new credit card rules in place it may mean getting a new account can be difficult. With many consumers in debt, credit card companies and banks seem to get more picky when approving new card holders. They may want more of the best applicants than just trying to get high numbers of applicants and they may desire those who will be better account holders.

Getting approved for cards may be a plus and consumers may not be able to expect as many perks as in years past. There may be more annual fees, reductions in points and cash rebates. Be aware that all those unsolicited credit card applications in the mail may be far and few than past years.

Some consumers have already experienced slashed credit limits, even those people with great credit scores. Scores of above 700 FICO score generally landed a consumer a credit limit around $8,000 and now it may be only a little higher than $4,000. With all this, consumers may have a new interest in using debit cards rather than charging on credit cards.

Credit Card

Credit cards are often slammed when it comes to using them for personal finances, but when consumers use them in a positive way, they are excellent as a financial tool. For those who pay off credit card balances every month, it can be like getting a loan without interest fees. For those who do not pay off credit card balances every month, there will be interest fees to pay and any late fees if the payment is not on time.

Having credit cards can making getting great deals online, and be much easier than wasting time, money, and gas shopping for gifts. Many unique items can only be found online and who does not like to get a special gift that no one else has. Online shopping can help save money on some items you purchase. Some of the best deals available are now found on the Internet. In many instances, the only way to pay for these Internet purchases is with a credit card or debit card. 

A credit card can provide instant emergency money when we exhaust the cash we carry with us, when out shopping, running errands, or on vacation. Having a  card is one great way to give an instant solution to pay for expenses. There is less fear of loss with a credit card when it is lost or stolen, as it can be reported immediately and you may only be out $50. By just using cash, if it is lost or stolen, it is gone for ever. 

Another benefit to use credit cards are for those consumers who are not good when it comes to keeping receipts. A credit card gives you a complete and detailed summary of your spending each month and the record can be used to create a budget. It is easy to read statements and see where all the money is being spent. It can make returning items much easier too.

Using a credit card can help establish or improve credit history, and rebuild credit scores. This can only be done by making payments on time and paying off the balances as soon as possible. High credit scores can mean getting good interest rates on loans or other credit related services. If you need a credit card, review these 0% intro credit card offers.

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