Verizon Wireless announced Thursday, December 29, 2012 that it is going to charge a $2 “convenience fee” to mobile phone users starting January 15, 2012. The $2 will be charged when making single bill payments online or by telephone. Sounds very “convenient” for them, not us.

How often can you apply for credit cards? Does it look bad on your credit report if you apply for many credit cards? My husband and I have 5 credit cards. Our credit rating is good, so most of our interest on our cards are between 5 and 7%. We owe $19,000 and I am currently emptying one of our cards so that we can transfer the entire $19,000 using their 2.99% life-of-the balance rate.

My wife and I have a lot of credit cards. WE would like to cut them up so we don’t use them. Should we notify the companies first to cancel them? We are having trouble paying them. Thanks for your help.

Two stores are having a sale. In Store #1 the deal is take 25% off then take an additional 25% off. In Store #2 the deal is take 50% off. Which store has the better deal? (Store #1, Store #2, Both are the same)

Share this with your readers. I just cannot believe that the credit card company will work with me. I have a Marathon Pet Credit Card (MAP). My balance is $1,093.92. I am self-employed and between customers right now. I just didn’t have the extra $118 to pay the card, so I did nothing. Cash wasn’t there. I avoided the MAP calls. Since I had to cut staff, I am the only one in the office, the only one to answer the phones.

I help my 82-year-old mother pay many of her credit card bills. She’s scared to call the credit card companies, and I don’t want to be added as an authorized user or they will show up on my credit report. Is there a service that she can give a power of attorney to that will call the credit card companies on her behalf? Currently, she is NOT past due on any credit cards–but that will change if we can’t reduce these interest rates. Thanks!

This question from a DebtSmart Reader, Margie: I purchased property for $27,515.00 at 7.5% for 8 years on a semiannual payment of $2318.00. The first year, three payments were made of $2,318.00; we have paid three years so far. This year, on our due date, we would like to pay off the mortgage. What will be the amount due? ($16,965; $18,695; $21,297; or $22,297) NOTE: Assume that the third payment in year one was made with the second payment.

Rachel was telling Jack about her romantic date with Dave. Jack is a man that is more concerned with the cost of the frolic than the details of their amorous evening. Jack asked Rachel how much the tab was for food only (tax included). Rachel was too focused on Dave to remember the amount for the actual dinners, but she did remember tipping the waiter 16% and that the final bill, tip included, was $159.50. Jack was quite amazed that Rachel would remember so much, but not recall the cost of the dinner before the tip. Of course, Jack knows his math and can easily figure it out. Can you? What is the cost of the dinner before the tip? ($137.50, $140.25, or $142.25)

You have $10,000 that you want to deposit in a money market account. You have a choice between two accounts. Both accounts pay 5% APR (Annual Percentage Rate). One account is compounded daily, meaning that interest is paid daily to the account. The other is compounded monthly meaning that interest is paid monthly. After one year, how much more is earned by depositing the money in the account that is compounded daily? ($1.05, $10.05, $100.05, or $1,000.05)

To quote the very well-known motivational speaker, Anthony Robbins, ‘Questions are the answer.’ What exactly does he mean? Tony believes, as do I, that you have the ability to find the answer to any question. They key is to ask the right questions.