Have you recently paid off a credit card? Do you feel like you have too many? Are you considering closing one or more cards? You may want to think twice before closing your credit card accounts. While cutting back can help you stay out of debt, it could also damage your credit history if you’re not careful. Here are some of the pros and cons that you should consider before closing any credit card: read more..

With many department stores holding sensational mid-year toy sales in recent months, Christmas shopping has been finished early for many Australian families, especially those with small children. So perhaps it’s no surprise that holiday wrapping paper, cards, and decorations are already appearing in those same stores before Father’s Day, to encourage shoppers to continue their seasonal bend. read more..

If you’ve ever compared credit cards, you’re familiar with introductory offers. Maybe the credit card company is offer 0% interest on balance transfers for six months. Perhaps they’re waiving their annual fee for your first year, like the Woolworths Everyday Money credit card. They might be offering a lower interest rate on purchases for a few months. They could offer to give you extra rewards points when you first use your new rewards card. All of these introductory credit card offers are designed to do one thing — entice you to apply. read more..

As the recession caused by the global lending freeze loses its grip on the world’s economies, attention turns to preventing such crises from happening again. The Reserve Bank of Australia, like its counterparts in other nations around the world, is looking at what a post-Lehman regulatory structure may, and should, look like. read more..

Many frequent flyer programmes are run through American Express credit cards. However, American Express isn’t accepted as widely as Visa. Wouldn’t it be great if your frequent flyer card gave you the benefits of both? Then you could earn rewards on your American Express, and still use a Visa where your AMEX isn’t accepted (and still earn points!). If you’re a member of the Qantas frequent flyer programme, now you have that option. The ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card gives you both cards, so you can always use the more convenient card and always earn frequent flyer points in the process. read more..