Balance transfers can be very appealing. They give you a way to take an existing credit card balance on a high interest card and move it to another card where you’re charged little to no interest. You save money. The credit card company you move to gets a new customer. The old credit card company is paid off. Everyone wins, right?

Maybe. But what sounds simple on the surface can actually be a bit more complex. And an attempt to save by switching to a balance transfer card like the Suncorp Gold credit card might not save you quite as much as you think. read more..

You know you need to check your credit file for inaccuracies and evidence of identity theft from time to time. But how do you actually get your credit file? And how much does it cost? Let’s take a quick look at these issues, including why some credit reports are free while other forms of access to your credit file might involve a fee. read more..

Are you in credit card debt? Do you feel overwhelmed, or maybe just unsure of where to start when it comes to tackling the problem? If so, you might have considered getting professional help to settle your credit card debt. But should you? Can “credit repair professionals” really help you pay down debt and save money? Or will they just cost you more money that you can’t afford to spend?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. For many consumers in debt, professional help is completely unnecessary. For others it’s exactly what they need to see some progress in their debt relief efforts. How do you figure out if professional help with your credit card debt is right for you? read more..

American Express is known for having great rewards programmes. And if you’re a cardholder with platinum priorities, American Express might be a good place to start looking for a new credit card. Here we’ll share some of the company’s best current offers, including telling you why we love them. But be forewarned — these credit card offers aren’t ideal for cardholders looking to finance purchases long-term. If you want to avoid high interest and take advantage of the perks and rewards, be prepared to pay off your balance in full each month. read more..

We’ve talked about prepaid credit cards as a financial option while travelling. Today let’s take a look at prepaid credit cards as gift ideas for this holiday season. Do they make good holiday gifts in general? Are there any drawbacks to giving prepaid credit cards as opposed to cash? Do they make better gifts for some people than for others? read more..