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Category: Credit Card

  • Moving Forward: 4 Powerful Ways to Start Improving Your Credit Rating Instantly

    Moving Forward: 4 Powerful Ways to Start Improving Your Credit Rating Instantly

    Having bad credit naturally makes it more difficult to get additional credit. Your credit score tells lenders how likely you are to repay them if they give you a credit card or cash. If your score is low, you may not qualify for the credit, or the interest rates may be really high. It is, therefore, in your interest to get your score up. This will take time but the sooner you start taking the right steps, the quicker your scores will go up. Here’s what to do.

    Keep your credit card balance low

    Potential lenders will take your credit utilization ratio into consideration.  This is calculated by totaling your credit card balances and dividing the sum by your credit limit. For example, if you usually charge $1,000 each month but your credit limit is $5, 000 across all your cards, your ratio is 20 percent. You can calculate your monthly average by looking at your statements over the past 12 months. Banks and other lending institutions usually like to see ratios of 30 percent or lower. This tells them you haven’t maxed out your cards. If you have bad credit but still want a credit card, there may be an option to help you get back on track. Be sure to learn your options.

    Make bill payments on time

    Your track record of paying your bills is used as an indicator of how likely you are to pay on time in the future. If you want lenders to look at you favorably, you need to show you can pay your bills when they are due. Paying late or paying less than the full amount can negatively impact your credit score. Utility bills and car loans will be considered along with credit cards. Late or missed payments can stay on your record for up to seven years but their impact decreases over time.

    Pay your credit card bills at the right time

    Ideally, you shouldn’t wait until your payment is due to settle your bill. The credit card company will report your balance to the credit bureau once per month, usually on the statement closing date or right after. Depending on when your balance is reported, you may seem more high risk than you really are. If you want to raise your credit score quickly, pay your bill as soon as possible after it is issued so the credit card company reports the lower balance.

    Get your rent added to your credit history

    Your history of rental payments isn’t typically included in your credit score but if you’ve been paying faithfully for years, you should get it added. This data can boost your rating by ten to 20 points in about a month. You will need to ask your landlord to verify that you’ve been paying your rent on time and a third-party company will have to supply the information to the credit bureaus.

    You won’t immediately get an excellent credit score if you’ve been making poor financial decisions for years. However, if you use the tips above, you can quickly get back on track. A bad credit score doesn’t have to ruin your life.

  • Financial Steps – How to Secure your Financial Future

    Financial Steps – How to Secure your Financial Future

    Financial security is essential for both future life and peace of mind. Even though the world has almost recovered from the last economic crisis, nothing is certain. It is essential to have healthy personal finance to deal with future uncertainties.

    Whether you want a secure retirement or pay off all your debts or simply want to create a great financial health, developing good habits is essential. The best news is that you can achieve your goals without sacrificing what you love.  By taking some financial steps to safeguard your future you can ensure your financial security before turning 30 years old.

    Here are some easy steps you can take:

    1. Mind your Expenses

    When it comes to creating a secure financial future the first thing people think about is saving more. This isn’t always the case. Before saving, you should first start with the list of your expenses. Cutting down your unnecessary expenses can have a huge impact on your finances. Make a list of all your expenses both small and big. This will give you an insight in to your financial situation. Now decide what expenses to get rid of. It could be that extra cup of coffee you can make at home or eating more meals at home. Choose your expenses wisely and soon you will see the difference.

    1. Savings

    After taking care of your expenses the next step is obviously saving money. Savings are of many kinds. For instant, saving for your retirement, buying a house or car, paying off debts and loans are some of the type of saving you commonly see. What you need is a plan to prioritize your savings. Decide what is more important to you. For any person who is in their 30’s needs to start investing in their retirement plan. For you your retirement saving should be the top most priority. This is the time when you can save more and secure your financial future.

    1. Always Have the Records

    It is essential that you know how much money you have both in terms of currency and properties or anything. You should have a balance sheet stating your incomes, debts, expenses and net worth. This will provide you with a clear picture of where you stand financially. The balance sheet will help you design your future course. Include everything so that you reap the benefits in the future. It’s better to face the reality than ignore it for present convenience.

    1. Take Care of your Debts

    Debts are the single big reason for worry and stress for many adults. Over the years people may acquire different kinds of debts. Not paying them in time can create a huge debt problem for you. So, it is essential that you take care of your debts.

    One of the best ways to deal with debts is to deal with them as soon as possible. The first step is to stop adding to the debt. The next step is to plan a strategy to pay off the debt. Use a debt repayment calculator online to determine the best course. You can also consult the experts to find the best course. Try to make bigger contributions so that you can pay off your debts fast.

    1. Use your Credit Cards Wisely

    Did you know that credit cards debts are one of the most common types of debts? Credit card gives you the power to purchase things, but it can be very dangerous as well. So, it is important that you use it wisely. Credit cards can also be a lifesaver when it needs to be. For example, in medical emergencies you can use the credit card money to pay the bills. Likewise, you can use the credit card for other emergencies as well. Keep the credit cards for things you need urgently.

    Using the credit cards for mundane things will only add to your debts. This should be included in some of the financial steps to safeguard your future.

    1. Your Lifestyle

    Your lifestyle plays a bigger role in your financial health. Everything you do right from the food you eat to clothes you buy reflects your lifestyle. In order to create a healthy financial future you need to consider your present lifestyle. Does it add to your debt? Is it a hindrance towards your financial goal? These are the questions you need to ask yourself. If your lifestyle is posing a threat to your financial health than you need to figure out how you can make changes and make your financial future your first priority. A simple lifestyle change can have a huge impact on your overall finances.

    Conclusion

    It is essential to take some financial steps to safeguard your future. Managing your finances effectively will reflect the kind of life you are going to lead in the future.  Make sound choices and ensure that you your future is secured.

     

     

     

  • 7 Best Credit Cards For Salaried Person

    7 Best Credit Cards For Salaried Person

    A credit card can help you make purchases, give you an opportunity to earn rewards, attractive discounts, and different cashback offers. This modern financial tool has certainly made traveling & shopping hassle-free and enjoyable. Credit cards are generally issued to both salaried individuals and self-employed individuals. Today, I am going to discuss the top 7 credit cards for the salaried person in India.

    Standard Chartered Platinum Rewards Card

    Topping the list is Platinum Rewards Card from Standard Chartered. This is an apt credit card for the salaried individuals as it offers wide range of benefits and a strong point system allowing you to earn both points and privileges whenever you make purchases. Following are the benefits you get to enjoy –

    ● Annual fee for the credit card is Rs. 750 (waived off for the first year).

    ● Annual percentage rate is 37.20%.

    ● You get to earn 5 reward points when you spend Rs. 150 on fuel.

    ● You are offered 2 reward points when you spend Rs. 150 on other purchases.

    ● You are offered 5 reward points when you spend Rs. 150 on hotel bookings and fine dining both in India and abroad.

    ● You get to enjoy attractive benefits on movie tickets, golf, holidays, and more.

    Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium

    If you are salaried individual, this is the best credit card you can have. With the help of this credit card, you get to save 5% on some of the common expenses in your life. This is the only credit card in India with such a high cash back percentage on many different things. Here are the benefits –

    ● Annual fee for the credit card is Rs. 2,999.

    ● Annual Percentage Rate is 40.2% per annum.

    ● There is 5% cashback on all phone bills.

    ● You are offered 5% cashback on fuel spends.

    ● You get 20% cashback on Uber rides.

    ● There is 5% cashback on all utility bills.

    Citibank Rewards Card

    Securing third position on the list is Citibank Rewards card. The points offered become valuable when they are redeemed at selected stores and having partnership with Make My Trip is an added advantage. In addition, there are lots of spend incentives that helps you earn bonus points. Following are the benefits of this card –

    ● Annual fee for the credit card is Rs. 1,000.

    ● Annual Percentage Rate is 39% per annum.

    ● The card can be used globally.

    ● When you spend on department and apparel stores, you get to earn 10 times reward points.

    ● When you spend Rs. 1 Lakh in every quarter, you get to earn 1000 reward points.

    ● If you spend more than Rs. 30,000 in one year, the annual fee is waived off.

    ● You get to earn Rs. 1,200 cashback whenever you book any domestic flight from www.makemytrip.com.

    ● You are offered value added services such as easy payment options and loans.

    ● You get 1 reward point when you spend Rs. 125 on all other purchases.

    ● When you spend Rs. 125 in selected stores, you get to receive 10 reward points.

    ICICI Instant Platinum Card

    Instant Platinum card is ideal for all those with first-time employment as you don’t need to bother about credit history or score. If you are having a saving account with ICICI Bank, the card is issued against fixed deposit. Depending on the value of your fixed deposit, your credit limit gets decided. Have a look at the benefits of this credit card –

    ● You get to enjoy 15% discount at more than 800 leading restaurants throughout India.

    ● You are also offered 2.5% fuel surcharge waiver, subject to a limit or Rs. 4,000 at all HPCL pumps.

    ● You are offered discount of Rs. 100 on movie tickets bi-monthly.

    ● You have emergency global assistance and easy card replacement process.

    SBI Simply Save credit card

    There are lots of credit cards offered by SBI to its customers, but Simply Save is perfect for the salaried individuals as it offers travel, lifestyle, and shopping benefits along with low annual charges. The card is accepted internationally and it also allows you to pay for the utility bills without any extra charges. Following are the benefits of this credit card –

    ● The joining fee is Rs. 499.

    ● You will get 10X reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on movies, groceries, and dining.

    ● You will also get 2000 points when you spend Rs. 2000 within 2 months.

    ● Annual Percentage Rate is 40.2% per annum.

    ● There is interest free credit period of 20-50 days.

    ● 10X reward points for Rs.100 spent.

    ● For each transaction between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000, there is 2.5% fuel surcharge waiver.

    HSBC Premier Master Card

    If you have Premier Master Card from HSBC, you get to enjoy lots of privileges. As a cardholder, you get to enjoy shopping, travelling, and dining benefits. Following are various other benefits –

    ● You get 50% cashback at PVR cinemas.

    ● You get to make 2 points for every Rs. 100 spent.

    ● When you spend Rs. 75,000 in a month, you can avail a voucher worth Rs. 1,000 from www.bookmyshow.com.

    ● You get 5% cashback at www.bigbasket.com.

    ● You get an opportunity to avail cashback of 1.5% on international spends.

    ● You get free access to premier airport lounges twice in a year.

    Axis Bank Insta Credit Card

    Do you have a poor credit history, no worries as you can still apply for Axis Bank’s Insta credit card. In order to have this credit card, you need to have a fixed deposit with the bank. This is an appropriate card for all those individuals who face lots of issues to get a credit card sanctioned. Here are the benefits of this credit card –

    ● For every online transaction, you get to earn 100 reward points.

    ● If you can spend Rs. 5,000 within 45 days of receiving the card, the joining fee of Rs. 500 will be waived off.

    ● You get to make 6 points for every Rs. 200 spent in India.

    ● There is 2.5% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel transactions between Rs. 400 – Rs. 4,000.

    ● You get 12 reward points on international spends.

  • 5 Sneaky Terms and Conditions 0% Introductory Interest Cards Include in the Fine Print

    5 Sneaky Terms and Conditions 0% Introductory Interest Cards Include in the Fine Print

    How many envelopes in the mail, ads on TV and pop-ups online do you see with the teaser “0% Interest for 6 Months”? My mom always told me that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And, unfortunately, when it comes to America’s favorite type of plastic, there really are some catches to the zero-percent APR credit card scheme.

    1. Tiny Interest Rates Might Mean Hefty Annual Fees
    The APR of a credit card is only one of the many ways credit card companies generate huge revenues. In 2014 AmericanExpress brought in $36 billion, while Visa and MasterCard generated $22 billion. If these companies are directly, or indirectly providing consumers with zero-percent interest teaser rates, where are they making their money?

    Zero-percent interest doesn’t make a credit card totally free to use. The average credit card fee in America is $58. That means that paying your bill on time and in full each month will definitely cut down on interest costs, but you’re still paying close to $60 every year just to use your own money.

    2. The Penalty APR is INSANE!

    Signing on the dotted line and taking advantage of zero percent interest, even if it’s just for a little while, sounds like a smart financial move, right? If you’re a perfect human being (I have yet to come across one) then you’re right, there’s very little chance that you’ll make a mistake and trigger a fee or high-interest charges.

    But, if you’re like the rest of us humans just trying to soldier on and do the best we can, there’s a very high-risk that you’ll trigger some colossal fees. The fine print in your cardholder agreement will outline the late fees, penalties and APR that applies to purchases after the teaser rate expires.

    To be honest, I’m not a big fan of credit card balance transfers, a couple of my friends have been ravaged by unexpected fees. It’s easy to lose track of time, and before you know it, interest starts to pile up. Take the time necessary to understand the terms and conditions associated with your teaser rate. Missing a payment or pay-off deadline can be extremely expensive.

    Instead of playing the balance transfer game, gain total freedom from crushing debt by consulting a debt professional. You’ll gain a competent strategy for quickly resolving your financial challenges.

    3. Promotional Financing from Retailers can Be Expensive

    Oh, and those of you that use store-branded credit cards (Best Buy, Macy’s, etc.) to take advantage of promotional financing need to pay extra close attention to when the promotional period expires. In the event that you fail to pay off the entire balance of your purchase during the interest-free financing period, your statement balance will balloon up overnight.

    When the promotion on your credit card expires, the card issuer will backdate the interest owed to the date of purchase. Most consumers sign up for a store charge card because they want to take advantage of the promotion, often failing to ever read the terms of the cardholder agreement. Interest rates in excess of 22% are not uncommon.

    4. Credit Card Payment Terms

    The way that a credit card company applies payments to your credit card account is important. Everyone knows that you’re required to pay a minimum balance payment each month. But, some customers prefer to make multiple payments throughout the month. I’ve done this before in order to ensure my balance remained at zero (I hate paying interest!).

    But, there’s a trick that some credit card companies use to generate additional late-fees, even though you might be paying off your bill each month. Take a look at the cut-off date for payments. Depending on the date you make your payment, it might be credited to a previous statement, instead of the current one. You could assume incorrectly that you’ve made your required minimum payment, but you need to make sure it’s applied to the correct monthly statement.

    This can get confusing to understand, so it’s always best to refer to your cardholder agreement. If you run into difficulty, you can always call your card issuer and request a breakdown on how your payments are applied.

    5. “Up To” is very different from “Through”

    When listening to a credit card company advertise an introductory rate in their ad, you’ll likely here the term “up to X number of months”. Some credit card companies tailor their interest-free period to each individual cardholder. Even though you’re signing up for a card based on an introductory interest-free period, it’s important to check the actual introductory term in your agreement when you receive your credit card.

    It’s possible that your introductory period could be shorter than was was advertised. In the war of advertisements versus cardholder agreements, the black and white print always wins. And this is doubly true for the promises that the representatives make when they convince you to sign up for a card. Always, always check the fine print.

    Cleaning Up the Mess from Unexpected Fees and Sky-High Interest

    Zero-interest introductory rate credit cards can be great tools, allowing you to focus your entire monthly payment on the principal balance, but things can go from bad to worse very quickly. Getting slammed with unexpected credit card fees, penalties and backdated interest can lead to financial difficulty. We all want to live without debt, but it’s just too easy for the payment lifestyle to become a habit. High credit card balances, sometimes caused by these fees, puts stress on a marriage and digs consumers a hole that can take years to get out of.

    Debt relief agencies have become almost as popular as credit cards in America. These agencies are experts in providing a pathway out of crushing debt. Their services assist clients in avoiding bankruptcy and establishing responsible financial habits. It’s important to face the challenges of crushing debt head-on and early. Sticking your head in the sand and hoping your debt snowball will magically melt away is dangerous. Instead, find a qualified debt professional to discuss your options for paying off, consolidating or eliminating your debt.

    By fully understanding the terms of your credit cards, you’ll be in a stronger position to avoid the stress of unmanageable debt. Read carefully, and create an alert in your calendar for when the introductory period expires.