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WARNING: Here’s Why You Should Never Use A Debit Card To Pay At The Pump!

Debit card blocking is where gas stations, rental car agencies, hotels, and others 'put a hold on' a big chunk of your money if you use a debit card to pay for gas, reserve a rental car, hotel room, etc. In effect, they're 'freezing' your account, or billing your account for an amount that's very likely more than you intended to pay for that service. They say it's for their protection...

Closing Credit Cards: How To Cancel A Credit Card Without Hurting Your Credit

If you're closing a credit card, make sure you follow these steps or your credit rating could be affected. Here's how to cancel a credit card properly.

Little-Known Facts About Secured Credit Cards

Basic info about getting a secured credit card and how they're different from non-secured credit cards. Everything you need to know about secured credit cards, plus tips to determine if you really need one or not.

Credit Card Emergency: When Is It Okay To Use Credit Cards For Emergencies?

Do you have one credit card JUST for emergencies? Here's what really qualifies as an emergency -- what you should and should not use your credit card for.

The Ultimate Guide to Prepaid Debit Cards: Pros, Cons, and How to Use Them

Been considering a prepaid debit card to replace your credit cards or debit cards that are backed by a bank? Here are the pros and cons of regular credit cards, regular debit cards, and prepaid debit cards. Would you believe that prepaid debit cards are actually cheaper?!

How To Get A Lower Credit Card Rate… Immediately!

Tired of paying high interest rates on your credit cards? Getting a lower credit card rate is not as hard as you might think. You just need to know what to say! Here are lots of great phone scripts that have been proven to get lower credit card rates.

Should You Close A Paid Off Credit Card Account?

Thinking of closing a credit card that you've recently paid off? Here are some helpful tips before you close a credit card.

Credit Card Companies Are Profiling Shoppers & Adjusting Credit Limits

There is a lot of talk in the news lately about credit card companies that are profiling shoppers and lowering credit limits based on where they shop.

IMPORTANT: Do You Know The Difference Between A FACO Score (Or FAKO Score) vs A FICO Score?

Some companies look at FACO scores rather than FICO scores, but most use a FICO score. If you're paying for a credit report to learn what your credit score it, make sure you're getting a FICO score! Here's the scoop...

Choosing Between A High Credit Score And Being Debt Free

Here's why it's worth it to let your credit score suffer a bit while you dig yourself out from under the weight of too much debt. It's best to worry about your credit score later.

Can You Really Get A Credit Report For Free?

I started hearing reports that FreeCreditReport.com is not as free as the commercials say. So I decided to investigate the claims for myself. According to the Federal Trade Commission, there is only ONE true way to get a free credit report...

Debt Consolidation vs Credit Counseling vs Bankruptcy

Hearing about Ivan's financial situation on NBC's Today Show made me flash back to my own college days when I, too, was in debt up to my ears. Jean Chantzky's recommendation for Ivan was basically to try credit counseling. Here's why, plus what to look for when you're trying to find a reputable credit counseling company...