A browser cookie is a small, sometimes encrypted, text file using a plain text format which contains a unique identification tag. This tag, or cookie, is stored on your computer and usually also on the website’s server. When you revisit the website, your browser retrieves this file and sends it to the website to be authenticated through the cookie. Cookies are created not just by the website you are browsing, but also by other websites that run ads on the page. [1] Once set, the information will be accessible to any URL belonging to that root domain.
Keep reading...Kids and credit cards simply do not mix, so says an article by Janet Bodner, Editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. Bodner writes, “Giving your teens credit cards is like letting them use drugs early so that they won’t turn into addicts. I’m all for learning to use credit responsibly, but having a card to practice on isn’t the way to do it. “[1]
Keep reading...Along with extending store hours and online shopping and promising to give you the best deals on the must-have gifts of the season, many retailers are preparing for the Black Friday shopping rush by offering layaway plans. For instance, Kmart’s holiday layaway plan allows shoppers to buy merchandise now, either in-store or online, with a down payment of $15 or 10%, whichever is greater, and to make payments every other week in four payments.[1] Sears has an 8-week plan for purchases under $400, with $20 or 20% down payment. Sears also has a price match guarantee, promising to match competitor’s prices to lure in more shoppers.
Keep reading...Both forms of cards hold an entirely different perspective of the way they process and the protection each offers to its cardholder. Debit cards provide a convenient alternative to carrying cash or writing a check. Because they are linked to your bank account, the bank can draw money from your account immediately. Thus, you don’t have to worry about any interest charges, or having to pay the bill at the end of the month.
Keep reading...Airline credit card rewards cards allow the owner to accumulate miles or points which can be exchanged for a free ticket to fly or other amenities, such as preferential rates for hotels, car rental, dining, entertaining and VIP lounges at airports. Some of the best cards that we have found are listed below. All feature sign up bonus miles, no limit on the miles you earn and no expiration on miles. However, you do need excellent credit scores to be considered for these rewards cards.
Keep reading...The average credit cardholder has 3.5 credit cards, and about 78 percent of consumers own a credit card. Including cardholders and non-cardholders, the average US consumer has 2.7 cards. There were 176.8 million cardholders in the U.S. in 2008.[1] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, credit card usage would increase from 159 million credit cardholders in 2000 to a projected 181 million in 2010. The average credit card debt per household is $15,799.
Keep reading...Everyone thinks that you have to be a frequent flyer to take advantage of airline credit cards – but is that true? While airline credit cards require you to fly often enough to generate points for free flights, there are other benefits you might receive -- if you pick the right card. For example, there are cards that offer a greater flexibility in redeeming your rewards and no expiration date on when you can redeem them.
Keep reading...Large banks are moving to discourage use of debit cards in response to the provisions of the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act, which took effect October 1, 2011, which limits the interchange fee amount banks charge merchants to process debit card transactions. Bank of America recently excited controversy by announcing it would begin charging a $5.00 per month usage fee on debit cards. Wells Fargo said in August it would experiment with charging a $3.00 per month usage fee. Likewise, Citibank sent its customers notice it would charge a $20 fee on low account balances on certain accounts.
Keep reading...