Do you wish you could cut back on your use of credit cards? Do you feel that you rely on them a little too much? While credit cards definitely have their perks and are a good fit for many consumers, for others they pose challenges (like too much temptation to go into debt). And if you’re in that latter group, it might be a good idea to decrease your reliance on your cards.

Here are some things you can do to cut back on your use of credit cards and your reliance on them either as a funding source or simply out of habit. read more..

Let’s say you’re looking for a new rewards credit card or a frequent flyer credit card. You compare credit cards and find one that offers you thousands of extra rewards points or frequent flyer points just for signing up with them. How many extra points would it take to make that offer irresistible to you? Five thousand? Ten thousand? More?

Credit card companies sometimes use these offers to get your attention. They want to offer something that sets them apart from the competition, even if more basic credit card terms might be the same (or even less desirable). It’s important to keep in mind that these are limited offers and not things to make credit card application decisions based on, at least not alone. If that’s the main reason you want to apply for a card, you might be making a common credit card mistake. Let’s talk about why that is. read more..

You’ve probably heard the terms “credit card fraud” and “identity theft” before. Maybe hearing those words even makes you cringe a little bit, because you worry about the safety of your personal information. But the first step to protecting yourself in these situations is to understand what each of these things actually is.

Quick tip: credit card fraud and identity theft are not synonymous, even though they’re often used that way. read more..