Credit Cards have been there for years to help us when we have an emergency or just need a vacation, but we don’t often think about the credit cards we are choosing. For instance did you shop around or just choose the first credit card offer that you came to? Most individuals recognize a bank credit card or hear about credit cards from their friends, but they don’t shop around for better deals. When this happens there can be a lot of fall out from the credit card we have chosen in having a higher interest rate than we thought, less points towards travel, and other issues with the credit card such as how to pay it off.

Many credit card companies are offering great deals on credit cards, but should you take the offers or stick with what you have? First if you are thinking about switching credit cards you need to look at the benefits of both credit cards. Why do you want to switch? What are the benefits going to be over time, especially after the initial offer? Once you have compared the credit cards and spoken with your current credit card company you will be able to make a sound decision.

There is a gamut of mortgage options available in the property sales market. Of the most common, here are two: 1) lifetime mortgages and 2) interest-only mortgages. However, as will soon be revealed, these mortgages are often too good to be true. Fortunately, there is an alternative that most will find more suitable and safe.

Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone is aware that credit cards have drawbacks to them. But most people, except for the reward, and cash back programmes offered by credit card companies, are somewhat unaware of the benefits of using a credit card to make purchasing items an excellent idea.

You are fully aware that when you buy things with cash, you don’t have any guarantees, usually. This is not true with credit cards. In the UK, there is an excellent law, known as ‘Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act’. This goes far beyond the other credit card purchasing benefits, such as reward programmes, or interest free for a certain length of time.

Due to the wonderful ‘Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act’, when you purchase anything at all, within the £100 and £30,000 range, you have certain liability rights, that involve not just the seller of an item, but your credit card company as well!

According to the ‘Section 75′, the contract of a purchase is between you, as the credit card holder, and BOTH the seller AND the credit card company, as a pair. This means that when something goes wrong, the credit card company itself is liable to correct it, and they must compensate you properly.

With all the wonderful benefits of credit cards, you should always remember that the number one priority is in not going stark raving mad with them. Even when you have an excellent card, with no interest for a year, that offers a reward, or cash back programme, if you run the debt on the credit card up too high, you’re going to have a sore time paying it back. You should always exercise some common sense, and make sure you aren’t stepping into deeper credit debt waters than you can handle.
Another factor to consider… although you may have an excellent credit card, with low, or even no interest for a set time, that will eventually change. If you have one of the excellent ‘programme’ cards, which has a reward, or cash back programme, you should be very aware, that although you earn money, or benefits, when you use the card for purchasing items, you will NOT earn any money if you use your card for a cash advance. Many people get caught in that trap, and even worse, they don’t realise that often, the no interest cards, while they DO offer no interest on purchasing items, DO charge a high interest on any and all cash advances.

Do you have a credit card? Almost everyone in the UK these days has at least one. But, despite it being a no-interest for the first year card, a reward programme card, charity card, or any of the hundreds of other types of cards, did you realise you are in serious jeopardy of making a serious mistake?
Many people have used, and continue to use, at their own detriment, their credit cards to make cash transactions. These cash transactions are exceedingly pricey, and especially hard on you, if you have a no interest, or reward programme card. You see, if you use your card for a cash transaction, regardless of what the card is, you will not earn a single reward, and you WILL pay interest, even if it’s a no interest card.

If you are like most people, you probably thought that cash transactions refer only to a cash advance, or withdrawal. This is no longer true. Credit card companies have been getting picky, and are changing the definition used for a cash transaction. So, be smart, read carefully in the details of your credit card, and figure out what your credit card’s definition of a cash transaction is. Then make sure you avoid these exceedingly costly purchases. After all, you could use those extra dollars for something better!

Almost a half century ago, the UK experienced the birth of one of the most influential pieces of plastic in existence today. Yes, it’s true, that slim piece of plastic, which is found in almost everyone’s pocket, the credit card, began way back in the 1960’s. It’s amazing the revolutions that have occurred in less than 50 years. Today, most of us can not survive without our credit cards. They have become that much of an ingrained part of ourselves.

Did you realise that in the UK, our credit card ‘history’ was borne via the Barclaycard? At that time, the Barclaycard was little more than a charge card, meaning that the entire balance had to be paid, 100% every single month. Today, people would scoff at it’s measly maximum limit of £100. These days, you can find a credit card with absolutely no limit, though these ’super’ cards, are limited to only the very wealthy!

Our credit cards of today, can be found with a credit limit, and applicable requirements, for people from all walks of life. Regardless of whether you’re Mr. Or Mrs. Beckham, or a low income fish and chips worker. There are well over 1400 different credit cards available in the UK today. Certainly there is a card for almost anyone.

Today, living in the UK, you, as a consumer, have virtually limitless choices when it comes to finding the PERFECT credit card. Regardless of your precise use, or need, there are choices available, which are available to all. From secured credit cards, for those who have bad debt, or no credit, to the unlimited cards available for those who are wealthy enough to demand it, you can always be assured that with the over 1500 cards available, you will always find the right one for you.
Let’s say that when you’re looking for a credit card, you’re not only interested in the basic credit card, itself, but in also what sort of benefits it has. Providing you have at least a modicum of decent credit available to you, you will not be disappointed in today’s market! There are so many different cards out there that offer ‘reward’ programs, as well as, ‘cash back’ programs, that you will enjoy the benefits of a credit card on a couple of different levels. Let’s not forget… you can also make that card work for you by transferring a balance from a high interest card onto one with even NO interest for a year!

Perfect credit, to no credit, to bad debt credit… the credit cards available today, include ones that are tailored for each of these credits, and all that fit in between. While it is far wiser, and smarter, on several levels to use your card, and pay the balance off every month, it is nice to know that if you need it, extra money is available, that you really don’t have. You see, if you charge items, and pay them off at the end of the month, you avoid interest charges, and your money, while waiting to be paid on your credit card bill, has been sitting snugly in your bank account, earning interest.

Nice thought, hmm? On the other hand, if you just can’t afford to pay the card off at the end of the month, it’s very nice to know that with some cards, you can have up to 2 months to get it paid off, prior to interest beginning to accrue. Even better, there are special deals which come about, and allow for a year to pay off the card… if you have a current credit card balance, transference of that balance onto a card that has no interest for a year is a seriously winning proposition. You have a year to finish paying it off, and completely avoid the interest you would have been paying on from your old card!

Often when we have credit cards we are looking for the best deal that we can find. We also want to have credit cards to transfer other balances in order to reduce the rates we are paying. With credit cards you can always transfer balances to other cards, but is this what you really want to do and what would be your best move if you are?

Right now you can find great deals with 0% APR for balance transfers. This is an introductory offer with the credit cards. When you search for a new credit card you should understand the amount of time you will have the introductory offer for the balance transfers. Look for something that is going to give you at least twelve months. This will help you transfer the amounts you need and keep the credit card balance overall down. You should also know there is a varying handling fee for the credit card balance transfers. You will find 2 to 3% is the normal rate. Obviously the lower rate for balance transfers is going to be the best option if the 0% balance transfer offer lasts for twelve months. You may find that it is better to keep the credit card you have now if you can get a similar deal.

Living in the UK, we are almost all fortunate enough to have a credit card. But, we are even more fortunate in the protection offered by purchasing items using that credit card. In the UK, we have a wonderful legal stipulation, which is known commonly as merely ‘Section 75′. In full, ‘Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act’, is a wonderful little thing. It says that when you purchase something that costs anywhere from £ 100-30,000, you’re protected, and able to seek compensation.

By protected, it means that if you purchased a tumble dryer, for example, which costs £100-300, and something goes wrong, your credit card company is liable to provide you proper compensation for this. While the legislation is not limitless, it covers most purchases, especially major purchases, as they all fall within that £ 100 to £30,000 category. This works out wonderfully, if for example, that tumble dryer you just purchased, when you get it home, and hooked up, doesn’t work, or after you’ve had it a bit, and it needs a warranty repair, the company’s no longer in existence. Keeping this in mind, is one thing that certainly can ease you of some worry.