As you move into a new month, it’s a great time to get a better handle on your financial situations. Do you really know where you stand in the eyes of current and potential creditors? If you were to apply for a new credit card tomorrow, do you know if you would be approved? One way to get a better idea of your status is to review your credit file regularly so you can monitor changes to your credit history. When was the last time you took a look at your credit file?

Let’s take a look at why it’s important to regularly check your credit history, how often you should get a copy of your credit file, specific times when it’s even more important to check, and the kinds of errors you should be looking for when you do. read more..

Do you have a credit card with not-so-great terms that really don’t suit your spending habits any more? Do you feel trapped in that credit card offer because you don’t know if you can be approved for another card? This is the “bad credit card” trap. And there are steps you can take to get out of it and move onto a better credit card offer.

Here are five things you should do to get rid of your bad credit card and move on to greener pastures. read more..

Sometimes applying for a credit card is all about timing. Yes, you understand that having a credit card is a long-term relationship and responsibility. But if you time a new credit card application when you happen to want to finance a new (and large) purchase, you might be able to find an unbeatable deal that wouldn’t have existed a few months ago and that might not exist a few months into the future.

Let’s see what’s out there on the market this month for consumers like you who might be interested in making a large purchase with a credit card, but who are waiting for the right offer to come around. Here are four of the best credit card offers currently available that could be a good fit for long-term financing. read more..

When we talk about credit card fraud and security we frequently talk about how you use your card. Now let’s focus on how you store that card, no matter where you are. Storing your credit cards safely can protect you from theft, keep you from misplacing your cards, and make sure they’re always there when you want or need them.

Here are some credit card storage ideas and security tips for when you’re at home, out shopping, or away on a trip. read more..

You’re familiar with all of the usual suspects when it comes to credit card features. They’re the features commonly touted when you review and compare credit card offers — purchase interest rates, balance transfer rates, annual fees, and how many rewards points you might earn per dollar spent. But there are other credit card details you should pay attention to as well. And sometimes they’re tucked away in the fine print.

Here are three important credit card details you might want to keep a look out for in the fine print when reviewing offers. These examples are specific to balance transfer cards and rewards cards, but they highlight the general importance of knowing all the details before you apply for any new credit card. read more..