You can apply for some credit cards, like store cards, in person. You can apply for credit cards over the phone. Perhaps most conveniently though, you can apply for many (if not most) credit cards online.

Why would you want to apply for credit cards online? First, it’s convenient. You can apply for a credit card at any hour of the day or night, whether or not customer service people are available to help you. On top of that flexibility, online credit card applications generally offer instant (or nearly-instant) approvals or denials. Most certainly applying online speeds up the overall process. If you complete a paper based application form, this information then has to be entered into the same/similar database where the online application went straight away. read more..

Some credit card users still worry about using their cards online for fear of identity theft and credit card fraud. But did you know the Web can actually protect you from credit card fraud as well? It can!

You would be hard-pressed to find a bank that doesn’t offer online credit card statements these days. And while the thought of viewing your financial information online might make you a bit uneasy, remember that bank sites are secured and encrypted to keep your information safe (and probably safer than if you disposed of an old statement without shredding it). On top of the encryption, online credit card statements put your transaction records in your hands much more conveniently. Here’s how that can keep you safe from credit card fraud: read more..

A tax refund can sometimes feel like “free” money. It might be tempting to use it for a holiday, large ticket item you’ve been eyeing, or even to put that money into savings or an investment to earn interest. However, it’s probably an even better idea to use your tax refund to pay down some of your credit card debt. Here’s why: read more..

Low introductory interest rates, 0% interest on balance transfers, and the availability of interest-free days are all tools credit card companies use to attract new users. If you’re comparing credit cards, you should also evaluate the regular interest rates for each card you’re considering (which includes the regular purchase interest rate, cash advance interest rate, and what interest rate will apply to any balance transfers after the introductory period).

Why are regular interest rates so important? Your spending habits or credit needs may change in the future, and a low interest rate credit card (like the St. George Vertigo credit card) can help you avoid unnecessary debt.
read more..

In today’s commercial environment where people are bombarded with marketing messages, sales pitches, and peer pressure to have the trendiest fashions and more, it has become extremely important to educate children and teens about financial issues. The best way to keep them out of debt later in life is to educate them in their younger years about the consequences of becoming too dependent on credit cards. read more..