Survey Results: Late Payments
by Scott Bilker
The greatest sin in debt repayment is late payments. The penalties include raising your interest rates, large fees, or denial of new credit lines or mortgages. Please take this survey and let us know about your experience with late payments.
Household Math™: True Rate of Transfer Offer
by Scott Bilker
You're offered a balance transfer from one of you current credit lines. The offer is for 4.99% fixed with a one-time 4% transfer fee. You transfer $5,000 and pay $100 per month until the loan is repaid. What is the true APR for this loan when you include all interest rate charges and fees?
Survey Results: "Your Interest Rates"
by Scott Bilker
Ever wonder what everyone is paying in interest? I certainly do and I have a feeling you do as well. Please share your rates with other readers so we can compare notes and get better lending deals!
Wanting a Newer Car
by Gary Foreman
My husband and I are in quite a bit of credit card debt and my husband wants a newer car. He says that his car won't last two more years. We are trying to save a little bit but we don't have any money to put down on a car. We have money to pay our bills which is not the problem. We just don't have a whole lot of money left over after paying our bills. What would you suggest we do about this situation?
Which credit cards look better on your credit report?
by Scott Bilker
I have been told that certain credit cards (e.g. Capital One, Cross Country, and others like those) do not carry a lot of weight on your credit report. I was always under the impression that all credit cards carried the same weight. What is the truth?
Don't Sell the Cattle!
by Scott Bilker
I am a 53-year-old female with a husband that abuses credit cards. I have sold 2 houses and taken out an equity loan to pay off credit cards. Tell me how to talk to a man and tell him how stupid he is. I have the only retirement account. He has some cattle. I just heard you on the radio today about using credit cards to pay off the debt. Maybe I could convince him of that...
Consolidating credit cards to one account
by Scott Bilker
I am a recent college graduate and I have accumulated about $4,000.00 worth of debt spread out in 4 different credit card accounts. I would like to transfer all of the balances to an account with a lower APR to save money and to make monthly payments more convenient. The problem is that I have not been able to be approved for a credit card with a limit of over $1500.00. Is there anything that you can recommend?
Credit Card Balance Transfers
by Scott Bilker
I would like to use a credit card introductory rate to pay off a bank loan. I will need to borrow $13,000.00 credit to pay off the loan. I have heard that if my credit report shows too many credit card company requests within one year that I will be turned down for new credit cards...
What is Better? Fewer Cards with Higher Balances, or Many Cards with Smaller Balances?
by Scott Bilker
My husband and I are preparing to buy a new home. We want to clean up our credit card accounts to better our chances for a mortgage. We were considering paying off our credit cards with smaller balances using other credit cards. What is better when your credit is being considered for a home loan--fewer credit cards with higher balances or more credit cards with smaller balances?
Shop: The Credit Card You Pick Can Save You Money
by Federal Reserve
Smart consumers comparison shop for credit, whether they're looking for a mortgage, an auto loan, or a credit card. Comparison shopping is important because it could save you money. When you're looking for a credit card, be sure to consider the costs and terms. They can make a difference in how much you pay for the privilege of borrowing. Compare them with the costs and terms of the...
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