Are credit cards nearing the end of their lifespan? I don’t mean credit card accounts, but what about the physical cards themselves? Some people think contactless mobile payments might prove to be a credit card killer.

Not sure what contactless mobile payments are? Let’s take a look at them and why they may (or may not) be a serious threat to the traditional credit card. read more..

From the recent cyclone that hit Queensland to winter snow storms, Mother Nature has no shortage of opportunities to cause consumers problems year-round. If a natural disaster were to strike your home, would you turn to your credit cards to help you get back on your feet? Should you?

While sometimes the quick solution of turning to credit cards to replace items lost or damaged in a disaster can seem appealing, there are other options. Let’s take a look at some of them, and when it then might be a good idea to use your credit cards. read more..

If you’re in the market for a new credit card, you’ve probably come across quite a collection of introductory offers in the credit card deals you’ve compared. And they can be extremely tempting, right? After all, who could resist a 0% interest offer on purchases like the five month introductory offer on the Westpac 55 Day credit card?

Here’s the thing. There are good introductory offers. And there are bad introductory offers — or at least “bad” if you’re sucked into them for the wrong reasons. Let’s take a look at how to tell the difference between a great deal and an introductory offer that might be manipulating you into a bad situation. read more..

We’re now well into the New Year. With budgeting and financial resolutions, have credit cards taken on a new role in your life? Were you content with your cards and how you used them previously? Or would you still like to make some changes? It’s not too late!

Let’s talk about how the role of credit cards might have changed in your life (or might still), and signs that it’s a good time to alter your credit card habits if you’ve continued on the same path you were on last year. read more..

Let’s think globally today. You’ve probably heard about major economic crises all across the globe over the last several years. Much of that financial turmoil was a result, at least in part, of too much debt and irresponsible borrowing by everyone from country leaders to individual consumers. And some consumers let it be a lesson — one that took them away from credit cards and pushed them more to using debit cards.

With the benefits of debit cards, that shouldn’t be much of a surprise. With consumers and governments the world over paying more attention to debt, how long can credit cards really compete? read more..