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Credit Cards Articles & Guides

Learn about how to best utilize your credit card to take back control of your finances and credit score

Feb. 20, 2025

Understanding Cash Back Categories: How to Optimize Your Spending

Cash back credit cards allow you to earn rewards on purchases, typically through flat-rate or bonus categories like dining, groceries, and gas. Maximizing rewards depends on understanding your spending habits and choosing the right card. Consider sign-up bonuses, caps, and redemption options to boost earnings. For more insights, read the full article below.

Feb. 17, 2025

5 min read

How to Do a Balance Transfer

A balance transfer moves debt from a high-interest card to one with a 0% intro APR, helping you save on interest. To do it, choose a card, check fees, apply, and transfer the balance while creating a repayment plan to avoid interest after the promo period. Avoid new debt on old cards and ensure savings outweigh fees. Read the full article for a step-by-step guide and best practices.

Balance Transfer Fees Explained: Are They Worth It?

Feb. 17, 2025

5 min read

Balance Transfer Fees Explained: Are They Worth It?

A balance transfer card can save you interest by moving debt to a 0% intro APR card, but fees (3%–5%) add costs. To decide if it’s worth it, compare savings to fees and have a repayment plan. Choosing a low-fee card, negotiating, or transferring less can help. Avoid new debt to make it effective. Read the full article for tips on maximizing savings and avoiding pitfalls.

Building Credit Responsibly: Best Practices for Credit Card Use

Feb. 12, 2025

5 min read

Building Credit Responsibly: Best Practices for Credit Card Use

Using a credit card responsibly can help build credit, especially for those with limited history. Start with a secured card if needed, keep credit utilization under 30%, and never miss payments. Setting up autopay, avoiding debt, and becoming an authorized user can also boost your score. Credit improvement typically takes 6+ months. Read the full article for expert strategies on building credit.

Travel Insurance Through Credit Cards: What You Need to Know

Feb. 12, 2025

5 min read

Travel Insurance Through Credit Cards: What You Need to Know

Credit card travel insurance offers financial protection against trip cancellations, delays, lost baggage, rental car damage, and travel accidents when you pay for your trip with an eligible card. Read the full article to learn more about the best travel credit cards and how their insurance benefits can protect your next trip.

Credit Card Tips: 10 Ways to Stay on Track for This Year's Money Goals

Feb. 06, 2025

4 min read

Credit Card Tips: 10 Ways to Stay on Track for This Year's Money Goals

Credit cards can do more than just facilitate payments—they can be powerful tools for achieving your financial goals, from building credit to saving for a house.

Jan. 13, 2025

5 min read

What Is a Balance Transfer Credit Card?

Credit card debt can feel overwhelming when most of your monthly payment goes toward interest charges.

Nov. 10, 2024

3 min read

What is a Credit Builder Credit Card?

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The logic behind this age-old causality dilemma also applies to the following question: how do you build credit if you have no credit? After all, if you have no credit or bad credit then it’s almost impossible to qualify for a conventional credit card or loan.

Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards: Which is Right for You?

Nov. 10, 2024

3 min read

Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards: Which is Right for You?

Your wallet may contain credit cards and debit cards. Both card types look and behave in similar ways. They have 16-digit account numbers, expiration dates, security codes, security chips, magnetic stripes, and you can use them to make payments.

Mar. 19, 2023

4 min read

The Ultimate Travel Credit Card Guide

Travel can be expensive. With the cost of flights, hotel rooms, travel insurance, and more, if you’re traveling regularly for leisure, work, or family reasons, it can quickly add up. But what if you could reduce your travel costs every time you used your credit card?

Mar. 19, 2023

3 min read

Credit Card Rewards: A Guide

Rare are the days that you whip out cash to pay for everything. Most of us use debit or credit cards to pay for everything from weekly grocery shopping to funding our dream vacation. What if you got a small kickback for every purchase you made though? That’s where reward credit cards come into play and can give you more perks for everyday spending.

Mar. 19, 2023

4 min read

How to Get Approved for a Credit Card

Applying for a credit card is a bit like applying for a job. You don’t want to just go for the first card you find without making sure that it’s a good fit. Add on top of that the possibility of not getting approved, and it’s no wonder that some people find applying for credit cards stressful. While it’s not the end of the world if your application is denied, it isn’t the most pleasant feeling.