RECENT POSTS
  • Basics,  Credit Cards

    Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers

    Did you run up large credit card balances during the holidays this year? If you won’t have enough cash to pay them off in full, those interest charges are going to start adding up quickly. One way to save money is by transferring your balances to a credit card that has a lower interest rate (APR). Chase Freedom, Citi Double Cash, and American Express Blue Cash Everyday are popular credit cards that offer an introductory 0% APR for 15 months on balance transfers. Unfortunately, they all charge a 3% transfer fee. If you’re looking to consolidate $2,500 to one of these cards, the fee will cost you $75. Chase Slate is a…

  • Basics,  Credit Scores

    10 Strategies to Increase Your Credit Score in 2016

    Do you have big travel plans next year and want to apply for credit cards that offer rewards to help you get there for free? Or is 2016 the year you plan to become a homeowner? Then now is the time to spruce up your credit score. Here are 10 strategies you can use to get instant approvals on those rewards cards or the lowest possible rate on your mortgage. Check for Errors on Your Credit Report The first step to a better credit score is knowing what’s in your credit report. There are three companies that report on your credit: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. Visit annualcreditreport.com for more information on obtaining…

  • Credit Cards,  Travel Rewards

    Credit Card Travel Benefits: Worth More Than You Think!

    Learning how to leverage your good credit score to obtain multi-benefit credit cards can be daunting, but when it comes to travel, this is where your hard work can really pay off.  First-class family travel for free? Yes, it IS possible…here’s my recent example: Last month, my wife, my teenage daughter, and I took a trip to Phoenix for a few days of sun and fun in the desert–at almost NO COST. We also included a day trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, both places that we had never been to before. The flights and hotel were paid for using points. This kept the cash outlay for the trip limited to…

  • Amex Offers
    Credit Cards,  Offers

    New Amex Offers – Jet.com, Hulu and more

    A few new Amex Offers have appeared over the last couple days. Jet.com and DryBar are publicly available to add to your card(s) using twitter hashtags. Offers for Fanatics.com and Hulu are targeted, but I have them available to add on all of my Amex cards. YMMV. For newcomers to these deals, check out my primer: Amex Offers = Too Good To Miss Out!. I wrote about how to connect your American Express card to your social media account and how to add offers to your card via Twitter, Facebook, or your americanexpress.com account. Twitter is the easiest method, but some offers are targeted, so you should be logging on to your americanexpress.com account to…

  • Basics,  Credit Cards

    Credit Card Annual Fees: Are They Worth It?

    There are those who would never apply for a credit card that charges an annual fee. Why pay when there are so many other cards that don’t charge one?  A valid question, and the answer depends on your spending and lifestyle habits. As you’ll see below, in some cases, those fees could be well worth paying. Annual fees can top out at over $400 for some premium credit cards, but they can include access to airport lounges such as American Airlines, Delta, or United.  These private lounges offer travelers free food, snacks, complimentary beverage service, comfortable seating, free WiFi, clean facilities, and other luxurious perks not available to the general public. If you fly frequently…

  • Amex Offers
    Credit Cards,  Offers

    Current Amex Offers… and Avoiding Potential Pitfalls

    Using Amex Offers is a fantastic way to save on purchases. As always, there is some fine print in each offer’s terms and conditions, but I’ll teach you what to look out for, and how to avoid any potential pitfalls. In my last post, Amex Offers = Too Good To Miss Out!, I wrote about how to connect your American Express card to your social media account and how to add offers to your card via Twitter, Facebook, or your americanexpress.com account. Twitter is the easiest method, but for targeted offers, you should be logging on to your americanexpress.com account to add them. The first table below is a list of all current Amex Offers…

  • Basics,  Credit Cards,  Offers

    Amex Offers = Too Good To Miss Out!

    The Amex Offers program is one of my favorite credit card perks. Everyone with an American Express card should be taking advantage of this—if you’re not, you’re leaving money behind! The Amex Offers program is reason enough to have at least one, if not multiple American Express Cards in your wallet. According to the Amex Offers FAQ: “Amex Offers is a program that saves you money or earns you points on shopping, dining and more. You can choose offers from brands you love and get discounts in the form of statement credits on your account or as extra points added to your Membership Rewards account. Amex Offers is available on…

  • Basics,  Credit Cards

    Chase Freedom Ultimate Rewards vs Sapphire Preferred Ultimate Rewards: Know Your Points!

    When it comes to getting the most out of your Ultimate Rewards points, it’s essential to know which points you have, so that you can determine if you’re redeeming them for the highest possible value. I’ll explain the differences to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table. Chase has two flagship credit cards: Freedom and Sapphire Preferred. Every dollar you charge to these two cards earns you points in the Ultimate Rewards program. While each card shares the “Ultimate Rewards” name, there are important differences in how you can redeem your points. Chase Freedom Ultimate Rewards There 6 ways you can use the Ultimate Rewards (UR) points that…