Get help, advice and information on all your Finance issues. http://advice-and.info/Finance/credit+cards.htm Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:35:57 GMT en More of Wayne's Story Wayne, who you met in Chapter 6, after reviewing all of the possible credit card types and options, has decided that he wants to get both a Visa and a Master Card. That's a good start. But now what? The terminology on the applications is very confusing. A call to his parents didn't help one bit. The extent of their "technical advice" is, "The cards we have work for us." Susan suggests they make a night of it-Chianti, candles, soft music, and a stack of credit card applications. Wayne arrives early, eager to begin. Factors to Consider There are three principal features to the card itself that determine whether or not you've found a good deal. These are the Interest Rate, Annual Fee, and Grace Period. By law, all three must be disclosed at the time you apply for the credit card. The United States Fair Credit and Charge Card Disclosure Act requires issuers of charge or credit cards (including retail stores) to reveal certain basic information in tabular form with the application or "p re-approved" solicitation. Disclosures also must be provided before annual renewal if the card issuer imposes an annual fee. Other things to consider are Rebates, Discounts, and Miscellaneous Fees. Also important is the pattern of your shopping-a card that your favorite merchants don't honor won't be of much use for you. Interest Rates The interest rate is the rate charged on purchases and cash advances (generally, two different rates). It can be "fixed" or "floating." Fixed rates are not truly fixed because the banks will change them every year or so. Floating rates typically are a bit lower than fixed rates, but fluctuate every month according to the latest T-bill sale, the phase of the moon, or some other index (just kidding about the phase of the moon-sort of). By law, banks must apply floating interest rates according to a regulated index. Still, if you buy something you're expecting to pay off over many months, a floating interest rate will make it hard to guess how much finance charge you'll be pay http://advice-and.info/Finance/90309_Good_And_Bad_Deals_In_Credit_Cards.html Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:06:12 GMT Credit cards with cash rebate incentives give back cash rewards to the cardholder every time a purchase is made on their credit card. There are a lot of choices regarding different types of rewards credit cards. The type of card that is becoming increasingly more popular is the cash back credit card. The majority of people with credit cards seem to prefer the cash rebates over points cards or other discounts Cash back credit cards are the best choice for people who rarely use cash in their transactions. For the frequent user, over time cash rebate credit cards will give you a lot of money in return. Credit cards with cash rebates usually have a higher than normal APR and also annual fees. . These are not the type of cards that you want to carry a high balance. You can only take full advantage of all the features of cash back reward credit cards if you pay of your balance every month. The higher fees and interest on these cards can be very costly. Cash back rebates will vary; generally you will f ind them from 3- 5 being applied on your purchases. The amount of cash back you will receive is dependant on the percentage rate, which is calculated on the total amount that is charged to your credit card annually. If you plan to buy expensive items, check in advance to see if there are any limitations on your cash back rebate. Each credit card issuer has it's own terms. Comparing the various offers can guarantee that you get the best deal that suits your own particular spending habits. The better rebate cards will return the most rewards cash if you like to purchase the high-ticket items on your credit card. Find out the limits and specifically how much you will be rewarded before you settle on your final selection of a cash rebate credit card. It pays to shop around and compare the various offers. There are also different methods of payment, once you have reached your rewards limit. Banks will either add the rewards right back on your card, send your cash back via direct-deposit into your bank http://advice-and.info/Finance/90215_Credit_Cards_With_Cash_Rebate_-_Are_You_Getting_The_Best_Value.html Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:23:02 GMT I remember getting my first credit card. It seemed like a rite of passage and as a young man, I suddenly felt like a real grown-up. I rarely used my Visa at the time but it was always a comfort to know it was there if I ever needed it. My personal income was decent and I had no debts and a very inexpensive lifestyle, so I felt no need to use my credit card at all. My credit card was a blessing back then but fast-forward 20 years and the story changes. I am not going to moan about it but my life seems so much more financially demanding these days. And I have found much to my despair that a credit card can also become a burden if used with abandon. With that out of the way, I have to confess: I am still a fan of credit cards. They have made my life easier in many ways. Like most credit card users, I am paying a lot in interest every month and I carry a pretty large debt. But, I refuse to complain about it. I chip away at the balance every month and sometimes due to seasonal slow-downs at work, I tend to lean on my plastic a little more than usual. So be it. It is my choice to carry debt and I am at peace with it. Credit is only a tool. It is neither good nor bad. Much like alcohol, used in moderation, it can be a pleasant addition to your lifestyle. Or... You can go on a Spender-Bender and pave the road to your own destruction. It's up to you. Just take responsibility for your own actions, recognize that you will have to be strong to resist the temptation to over-spend and... If you find yourself in debt DON'T FREAK OUT! There is always a way out, but you have to have a cool head to sort it out. Set the intention to eliminate that debt and get to it. It may be slow going but you can do it. Chip away at it. Don't fret. Focus on your goal. Enjoy your life today (not ALL the fun stuff costs money!) And always remember... The Credit Card Companies are more than happy to wait for their money! http://advice-and.info/Finance/89822_Credit_Cards_-_A_Blessing_Or_A_Curse.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:58:29 GMT Bad debts, arrears and a poor credit history has become a common occurrence with many individuals, who had taken loans in times of need but could not repay them on time, due to varied reasons. Such action, in turn, leads to creation of a bad credit history for the individual, spoiling his future chances for financial transactions. Most lenders would consider an individual with a bad credit rating, to be a high risk category and hence, would think twice before extending a loan amount to the individual. At times, when such an individual with a weak financial history needs instant access to cash to pay for certain emergencies, he may find it to be a difficult proposition. Lenders in the financial market have therefore, designed certain loan categories to specifically cater to such individuals. The bad credit history unsecured loans are one such category of loans, which make it easy for any individual with a poor credit ranking and no collateral to be placed against a loan, to get easy access to instant funds. Bad credit history unsecured loans are easy to apply for and process and the decisions for approval on such loans are also instant, provided the basic information supplied by the borrower is accurate and easily verified. All one needs to do to apply for the bad credit history unsecured loans, is fill up an online application form available at every lender's website. The lender will only ask for basic personal and employment details to be assured about the repayment ability of the borrower, since these loans are not secured through any collateral. As the risk of non repayment and loss to the lender is higher on these loans, he cushions himself against potential loss through a higher rate of interest on the loans. However, the benefit of getting easy cash in spite of a poor credit history and that too without placing any collateral, is much higher for the borrower to be concerned about the interest rates. The bad credit history unsecured loans can also be acquired at a competitive rate of interest, pro http://advice-and.info/Finance/88901_Bad_Credit_History_Unsecured_Loans_Instant_Funds_Without_Credit_Verification.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:40:10 GMT Yes, you read that right! Though many financial experts usually suggest that you limit the use of your credit cards, there are still some advantages to using your credit card on your holiday. With the summer holidays fast approaching, I am sure that many of you have plans to take a break from the mundane activities that you engage in all year round. However, with the economic crisis hovering above everyones heads, there are more to consider when it comes to planning your holidays. For one, statistics show that more and more people are breaking away from the custom of patronising travel agencies and their packages. Instead, they are coming up with their own holiday plans DIY holidays, I guess we can call them. With the various options available to us, this activity comes as no surprise. Budget airlines, online bookings, and so on these could really cut down on our holiday costs. Yet this also has a downside to it, namely, the fact that travel protection is not always included in DIY bookings. If you bo ok holiday packages through a licensed travel agency, you are guaranteed cover by the Air Travel Organisers Licensing (Atol). If you plan your own trip, however, you may not be covered. Is there a way out of this dilemma? You bet! Use your credit card! Using your credit card to purchase airplane tickets, hotel accommodations, and other purchases for your holiday is a good idea because if you suffer from misrepresentation by the travel firms that you deal with, the credit card company will be jointly responsible to cover the cost. That is, if your purchase is more than 100 and less than 25,000. More than this, you can actually find good deals for credit cards when it comes to travel related purchase. For example, look for introductory card deals wherein you wouldnt have to pay interest for a specific period of time. There are many of these promos going on. What happens is that you make a purchase and you do not pay interest on your purchase for say, 10 months. Of course, after this period, you would http://advice-and.info/Finance/87918_Using_Credit_Cards_For_Holidays.html Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:24:54 GMT Student Credit Cards-To start up, student credit cards ordinarily are encouraged and accepted on account of the fact that they have the benefit of assisting students grasp and even practice the way of spending with wisdom early on in their lives. A good Credit card rate is a indispensable factor to take into consideration necessarywhen hunting for an excellent credit card firm as it ordinarily determines your knack to timely pay your bills. Credit card debt can certainly be akin to a vise round your neck and is a general experience amongst lots of folks that have credit cards. The key to having a really excellent credit rating history is discerning what credit cards are, what they are used for, how they are profitablyused and what you gain from them. Thanks to the Internet and the proliferation of Internet business together with your credit card; it�s possible to now have whatever you want brought to you in to the serenity cool your home when you use your credit card to order on the Internet. http://advice-and.info/Finance/85679_Best_Credit_Cards_For_Students.html Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:32:30 GMT Think you cant possibly get a loan because of bad credit? Think again! There are a number of places that will be glad to give you a bad credit cash advance loan, including those online. Yes, you can apply for a loan online and get approval within minutes. You can then have the cash you need to take care of a pressing matter or rectify a situation. Getting into financial crunch is more commonplace than you think. Even when you are working steadily, you are bound to find times when money is short. This can be very problematic if an emergency situation arises. How do you get the cash you need when you have bad credit? http://advice-and.info/Finance/85259_Bad_Credit_Cash_Advance_Loan_-_You_Can_Get_A_Bad_Credit_Cash_Advance_Online.html Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:02:42 GMT If you think that bad credit prohibits you from getting a loan, think again. You can get a bad credit cash advance today. Even if you have a prior bankruptcy, you can get a bad credit cash advance that can help you over your financial hurdle. Not only that, but by paying the cash advance back in a timely manner, you can actually start to rebuild your credit. Bad credit can happen to anyone. It only takes a catastrophic event, such as the loss of a job or an illness, to set someone back. Most people who have bad credit give up on trying to get loans and live without many necessities. A few days before payday, they are really waiting for that paycheck so that they can go food shopping or get other necessities. http://advice-and.info/Finance/85258_Bad_Credit_Cash_Advance-_You_Can_Obtain_A_Bad_Credit_Cash_Advance_Today.html Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:02:08 GMT We all run into financial difficulties once in a while. Rather than borrowing from family or friends, many of us prefer taking loans to get us out of a jam. If you have bad credit, you may think that you cannot possibly get a loan. The good news is, bad credit cash advance loans are easy to obtain and can help you get the cash you need, when you need irrespective of your credit ratings or bad credit history. You can apply for a cash advance loan right online. A cash advance is the oldest way to borrow money. Long before there was such a thing as charge cards, there were cash advances from employers. Today, your employer wouldnt think of giving you a cash advance. But you can get a bad credit cash advance from a number of other places, including online lenders. http://advice-and.info/Finance/85257_Bad_Credit_Cash_Advance_-_How_A_Bad_Credit_Cash_Advance_Can_Save_You.html Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:57:24 GMT Those of you with credit cards should already know the importance of paying on time and keeping your balances below the credit limit. Failing to do either can cost you in fees and higher interest rates. You may know about the Universal Default Clause, which allows creditors to raise your rate because of something they see on your credit report such as a score drop or being late on another account. However, you may not be aware of some of the other ways you can trigger a fee or a rate hike, so Ive assembled a list of some of the lesser known ways you can be penalized along with some tips on avoiding them. Late Because of Slow Mail: If your payment arrives late to the creditor, you will be charged a late fee regardless of how early it was mailed. Once your payment is received, the envelope is destroyed so you cant ask the creditor to check the postmark. The Post Office does a fine job overall but sometimes envelopes are delayed or even lost, especially around the holidays. Being late, sometimes by one day, can also be a reason for the creditor to cancel a promotional rate or increase your regular rate. Also, some creditors delay posting your payment by as much as 5 days if you mail it in something other than the envelope that arrived with your statement. What to Do: Pay online at the creditor website. Your personal bank may offer online bill pay, but if they mail checks to your creditors you really havent solved the problem. Payments made directly at the creditor website are usually free unless you pay at the last minute, which brings us to their next thing you need to know. http://advice-and.info/Finance/84533_How_To_Avoid_The_Hidden_Costs_Of_Credit_Cards.html Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:58:36 GMT At the inception of credit cards by in large, credit cards were reserved almost exclusively for the financially elite. They were originally meant to extend the buying power of those who did not want to bother handling that pesky cash or the indignity of having to write a check. Look at us now, McDonalds reported last year that plastic will soon over-take cash transactions at their windows. Who-da thunk it? However, convenience does come at a price. Visa, a credit card company that is based in San Francisco benefits as shoppers worldwide are beginning to rely more on credit and debit cards instead of cash and cheques to make payments and they get a taste (to be said in your best Tony Soprano voice) of every transaction. Guess who gets a cut, your local banc that issued the card to you. Guess who pays these fees, the retailer and ultimately the consumer. http://advice-and.info/Finance/83182_Are_Credit_Cards_For_Fair_Credit_Getting_Better.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:35:58 GMT The short and simple answer is yes and no. The detailed answer is that it depends on how you use the credit card and which credit card you choose to use. If your credit card is over two years old this article may not apply to you. Most credit card companies will issue fair credit - credit cards to people outside of bankruptcy for more than two years. You may want to avoid applying to the same companies you included in your bankruptcy though. If you are trying to establish credit after bankruptcy within two years a credit card can be a great way to begin. Before we talk about specifics lets begin with a general understanding about your situation. You have just recently filed bankruptcy on a number of creditors, and in any new creditors eyes your represent a high credit risk. For this reason, its logical to expect that you will have to pay the highest interest rates. So our goal should be to re-build our credit with the least amount of cost out of our pocket. http://advice-and.info/Finance/83180_Can_Credit_Cards_Help_You_Establish_Credit_After_Bankruptcy.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:09:11 GMT In todays hectic financial times credit card use by the average consumer is at an all time high. When we consider that food prices are at an all-time high, gas is through the roof and our property isnt worth what it used to be you can start to see why. In the past, credit cards had a worthy adversary called a home equity line of credit, not any more. In todays mortgage environment home equity lines are only available for those with the best credit, and thats if their house values arent dropping. As a result of the tightening mortgage market the average consumer is turning to credit cards at a startling rate. Credit card applications for fair to average credit are soaring over the traditional regular to good credit applications as home refinancing becomes harder and harder. This trend could possibly lead the credit card industry down the same road as the sub-prime mortgage market. http://advice-and.info/Finance/82919_Can_Credit_Cards_For_Fair_Credit_Replace_Mortgages.html Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:48:53 GMT This article is working to help you decide on the next credit card you should add to your wallet. Often times with credit cards we go with a company before really researching the options we have. In the end some of us find that we could have gotten a better deal or better rewards that would suit our needs. This list of gasoline credit cards are aimed at those who need a special card to lower their considerable fuel costs and of course to reap the benefits that the gas cards can offer. The amount we must pay at the pump in recent months has gone up, especially with the price of oil hitting a hundred dollars and a little over. Many of us are experiencing the squeeze of these prices, so what better way than to check out this list of gasoline credit cards to lower your costs or at least get a little back. http://advice-and.info/Finance/82757_List_Of_Gasoline_Credit_Cards.html Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:30:44 GMT Who does not wish to keep his hard-earned money in his own pocket? But a number of obstacles make you juggle in your financial arena; one of the commonest being high interest rates on credit cards. With the introduction of 0 APR balance transfer credit cards along with a range of low interest rate cards, the financial scenario has undergone a significant change. Aimed to consolidate your balances, balance transfer cards have many other advantages. However, before reflecting on these benefits, it is necessary to consider the following points when comparing balance transfer cards. a)Will the interest rate be offered for a fixed or introductory rate?b)What will the rates be when the introductory period expires?c)Is there any late fee in case of making late payments?d)Will the rates be raised in case of late payments?e)Is the credit limit offered high enough to cover the amount desired for transfer? http://advice-and.info/Finance/81717_Consolidate_Your_Balances_With_Low_Rate_Credit_Cards.html Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:39:41 GMT Is high credit card debt posing a financial obstacle in your life? Do you want to pay less interest than what you are paying now? If these are the financial queries popping up randomly in your mind, then 0 APR balance transfer credit card is the answer. A lot many people nowadays find it hard to cope with high credit card costs. Possessing multiple monthly credit cards at high interest rates can certainly be burdensome for most of them. Hence, the best way is to consolidate your balances into 0 balance transfer credit card for instant financial relief. However, ensuring long term relief requires payment of the debt as quickly as possible. 0 balance transfer credit cards do more than providing financial relief to customers. In fact, these rate cards can alter your financial situation by enhancing available funds for cash purchasers, ensuring rapid payment of debt and making funds available for savings. Many people spend a fortune on paying for credit card interests every month. Availing services of the 0 balance transfer card gives you the opportunity to shrug off your interest costs and build up your savings. This will not only help you achieve financial stability but also relieve you of the loathsome stress. http://advice-and.info/Finance/81715_Zero_Down_Financial_Stress_With_0_Balance_Transfer_Credit_Cards.html Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:47:29 GMT In todays market low interest rate credit cards are easily found online, in the mail and at your local bank. There really isnt a difference where you decide to shop for your new credit card most places offer the same deals from the same card issuers. However, there are definitely some features you need to be aware of and avoid if possible. I have listed the most crucial points to be aware of when shopping for low interest rate credit cards, they are as follows: Universal Default Universal default is a buried clause in the fine print of almost all low interest rate credit cards. It basically says that if you are late on payments they can jack up your rates at will. The scary part is that they can use your payment history from other accounts to enact the clause. Say for instance if you co-signed for a car with someone and he misses a payment you can be penalized, harshly. Interest rates can nearly triple when this clause is enacted. http://advice-and.info/Finance/81384_5_Crucial_Tips_When_Shopping_For_Low_Interest_Rate_Credit_Cards.html Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:54:23 GMT A large number of major credit cards offer specialized cards, one of which is the airline credit card. This type of credit card, some of which are sponsored by an airline, provides frequent flier bonuses and a mileage program for its users. The use of airline credit cards may provide card owners many benefits, the most common of which is flying for free by accumulating airline miles. Airline credit cards can be most beneficial to individuals who spend a lot and also travel a lot. If you are thinking of acquiring an airline credit card, you may want to choose one that is affiliated with a specific airline you typically fly with, this way you can maximize the benefits of your airline credit card. http://advice-and.info/Finance/81255_Benefits_Of_Airline_Credit_Cards.html Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:45:37 GMT Money back credit cards are a great invention. They are a way for consumers to save money on every purchase that they make by getting a percentage of the purchase back from their credit card company at the end of the billing cycle. Most consumers who have a money back credit card are satisfied with this benefit. But those consumers that are really smart with their money can actually benefit a lot more from the use of their money back credit cards. Creating a Money Back Savings Account http://advice-and.info/Finance/81062_How_To_Get_Rich_With_Money_Back_Credit_Cards.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:43:37 GMT There are very few people who enjoy professional networking events. Sure, some people love them because they like to be the life of the party and to meet others in their field who will appreciate this quality about them. But most people find these professional events to be a social obligation thats moderately enjoyable at best. One of the main reasons for this is that many professionals really dont know what to talk about with others during these events. Some people have found that if they compare business credit cards with strangers, the ice is broken and the event goes more smoothly. Credit Card Conversation Etiquette http://advice-and.info/Finance/80984_Networking_Icebreaker_-_Compare_Business_Credit_Cards.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:43:41 GMT Many people apply for credit cards hoping to get a very high credit limit. What they often find is that the credit limit that they qualify for is considerably lower than what they had anticipated. This can be frustrating for people who want to consolidate their debt or who want to be able to use only one card for all of their purchases. One way that many smart consumers get around this problem is by applying for transfer credit cards. What Determines Your Credit Limit http://advice-and.info/Finance/80826_Get_A_Higher_Credit_Limit_With_Transfer_Credit_Cards.html Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:08:54 GMT People who apply for airline credit cards today will find that the application process is fairly straightforward. They will also find that reading the details of their terms and benefits isnt very difficult for them to do. Moreover, they will find that they understand what they do and dont get from their airline credit card and can even explain that information to someone else if asked. Thats something thats important to credit card consumers but it wasnt always the case when it came to airline credit cards. It was through direct consumer pressure that these cards came to be so clear and easy to understand. The Way That Airline Cards Used to Be http://advice-and.info/Finance/80822_Changing_The_Face_Of_Airline_Credit_Cards.html Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:44:50 GMT Many people believe that the key to finding the best airline credit cards is to look at the terms of the card that relate to adding up airline mileage points. Thats true, to an extent. Good airline credit cards let you earn miles quickly on multiple airlines so that you can take advantage of the opportunity to get free flights. However, thats not the only thing that you should look at when trying to find the best airline credit card for you. There are additional benefits that are available on most cards which should be considered in addition to the travel points that can be earned. Looking at Travel Perks http://advice-and.info/Finance/80712_Best_Airline_Credit_Cards_Have_Big_Benefits.html Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:58:42 GMT If you get into a bad credit predicament, you cannot just duck your head and hope that this passes over. You must actively work to fix your bad credit and work with and improve your credit score. If you want to open a bank account, want to buy a major appliance, rent or buy a home, all of this will require that the business look into your credit and check your credit score. Your credit score lets the business know if you are a good risk or not, mostly from the standpoint of whether you are likely to pay your payment or have a problem. http://advice-and.info/Finance/80697_5_Tips_To_Fix_Bad_Credit_And_Improving_Credit_Score.html Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:59:15 GMT We all love the idea of air miles credit cards. These credit cards allow us to earn mileage points for every flight that we take. The goal, of course, is to use those miles to get a free flight at some point in the future, allowing customers to effectively take an unplanned vacation. However, the majority of people who have an air miles credit card dont actually ever end up getting this free vacation. Thats usually because they dont understand the two different types of air miles credit cards that exist and how one might be better than the other for their flying style. Airline-Sponsored Credit Cards http://advice-and.info/Finance/80486_2_Types_Of_Air_Miles_Credit_Cards.html Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:27:11 GMT There are two types of people who might consider applying for 0 interest credit cards. The first is the person who is desperate to get a low interest rate on a credit card and wont bother to read the fine print before making an application. The second is the wary consumer who believes that 0 interest cards must come with a catch and so holds off on applying for them even though the absence of interest on debt would be nice. Both of these types of consumers can benefit greatly by understanding credit card laws and how they impact 0 interest credit card lenders. Credit Card Laws http://advice-and.info/Finance/80484_0_Interest_Credit_Cards_And_The_Law.html Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:57:01 GMT People can now apply online for credit card and make their lives a whole lot easier. Now, there is no need to go the nearby banks or their branches, collect forms, fill them and then return them back again with the documents required. Instead, all you have to do is just complete an online application to receive a credit card. There are different cards available such as the Classic Cards, Premium Cards, EMI Card, Affinity Card, Value for Money Cards, Co-Branded Cards, etc. So do your homework and make a wise selection based on your needs and requirements before you apply for the card. And if you need help, choose a program that offers assistance. http://advice-and.info/Finance/78748_How_To_Safely_Apply_Online_For_Credit_Cards.html Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:23:55 GMT The Best Canadian Air Miles Credit Card If there is one Canadian air miles credit card that can be considered the best, it is the American Express Canada AirMiles. This air miles credit card is issued by AMEX Bank of Canada for Canadian citizens and is primarily designed for people who frequently travel on Canadian Airlines. This Canadian air miles credit card features great travel benefits like assured reservations and accident insurance when the cardholder use American Express Canada AirMiles when purchasing tickets for flights in and out Canada. http://advice-and.info/Finance/78087_Airline_Miles_Credit_Cards_In_Canada.html Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:31:46 GMT Dont trust your money with just anyone. Here is everything you need to know before consolidating your credit cards. Watch Your Back http://advice-and.info/Finance/77921_Warning_The_Hidden_Truth_About_Debt_Consolidation_For_Credit_Cards.html Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:18:38 GMT Love them or hate them, credit cards are a part of everyday life in the twenty-first century. But where did they come from? Who thought up the idea behind a little piece of plastic that could be used to make purchases? Credit has been with us since time immemorial. In the old days, stores would keep open accounts, or tabs, for their customers. The customers would take the merchandise they needed, the store owner would mark their purchases in a ledger, and the tab would be paid at a later date. http://advice-and.info/Finance/77460_The_History_Of_Credit_Cards.html Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:45:20 GMT