Credit Cards Plus

Millions of Americans have credit cards, and most do not use them responsibly. In fact, the majority of credit card holders do not even know how to use their credit cards responsibly, but does the very fact of having a credit card and a credit card limit available to spend make some customers spend more? Some experts say yes, even if the borrower knows that they will end up paying a great deal more on money they spend with their credit card. The fact is, many people unconsciously factor in their credit card limit when they think about how much money they have to spend, and if they have already spend their paycheck, the credit card is a temping option when they want something.

This question has been the focus of heavy debate for years.

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Cashing in your hard earned points for gift cards or gift certificates is one option you have when it comes to redeeming your rewards. If you are the type that likes to trade in your points for gift cards or gift certificates, then there are a few things you should consider when choosing a rewards card. The purpose of a rewards card is to save you money and the way you can do that by maximizing your rewards card so you are using it to the full potential. If gift cards are your thing, then remember to think about these questions when you are on the hunt for a good rewards card.

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Over on our sister blog, Payments Views, Glenbrook’s Carol Coye Benson interviews Mike Kennedy, chairman of the clearXchange board, and shares her thoughts on the new banking industry joint venture in a post entitled “It’s About Time: clearXchange and Bank P2P”.

This has been a big week for news in the payments industry – with the Google Wallet making a big, loud splash. It’s nice to see banks using the power of their collaborative action to demonstrate that innovation can come from the bank side of the payments world as well.

Credit card issuing banks are lobbying federal regulators in an attempt to put restrictions on who qualifies for a credit card. Under their proposed changes, for example, if your spouse makes the family income but you stay at home and don’t draw a salary because you are raising kids or caring for a sick parent then you won’t be eligible for a credit card of your own.

The card companies argue that giving cards to people who do not have any verifiable income is a mistake, and that many people who fall into that category end up defaulting on their payments. Bla

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Credit cards can give you convenience and access to funds you wouldn’t otherwise have. But what if you need more flexibility in how you can access and use those funds, such as accessing cash without exorbitant cash advance fees? If that’s the case, you might want to consider a line of credit instead — preferably one offering similar card convenience with a debit card that lets you access your funds.

Credit lines give you more flexibility when it comes to how you can use your money. While credit cards might be a fine option for everyday spending or online purchases, some businesses still prefer cash and cheques. And sometimes a line of credit can give you more access to credit than a typical credit card. If yo

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