Find The Best Credit Card Type

There are a variety of credit card types, each claiming to offer you the best possible deal. Finding the programs and incentives that works best for you is key to maintaining a good credit card history.

Each type of credit card offer different benefits. Some are geared toward the individual consumer, while others are set up to work for small businesses. To find the type of card that best fits your needs, let’s review some of the options.

Business Cards

A business credit card offers the business owner an opportunity to keep business and personal expenses separate. The card may offer special business rewards and saving opportunities that go above and beyond what the individual card owner has. Since money management is essential for running a business successfully, this card may offer an expense management service that helps track outgoing money. You can obtain additional cards for employees who may need them for travel expenses and such. You may also have a higher credit limit than you normally would on an individual card.

Student Cards

Many credit card companies will issue student cards with lower credit limits and fewer incentives, helping new card users to keep their spending in check. However, note that many college students now graduate with credit balances averaging from $3,000 to $7,000. With high interest rates, these debts can be a real problem to pay off.

Debit Cards

Prepaid debit cards are 1 type of credit card that has grown significantly in recent years. Although it works like a traditional credit card when making a purchase, that is where the similarity ends. With a prepaid debit card, you actually set the credit limit yourself by depositing money into the debit card’s account. The amount you deposit determines the credit limit on that card. This is a great way to have the convenience of a credit card without the possibility of charging more than you can afford to pay off.

Cards for Bad Credit

Even with bad credit, it is possible to obtain a credit card. These cards come with some restrictions not typically found on other types of cards. Your credit limit will be lower and your interest rate higher. Some may require you to have a secured card, meaning you have to maintain a savings or some other type of account that will cover the expenses on the credit card. Once you have established that you will be responsible in your credit handling, some, if not all, of your restrictions may be lifted.

Cash Back Cards

Many cards will now offer you cash-back incentives for using their cards. Depending on how much your balance is, and how often you use the card, you can earn cash back for your purchases. Some companies offer 1% off your balance while others, like Sears, will offer you cash off purchases made in their store. Either way, if you are planning on using a card, finding one that will offer you a cash incentive is a smart choice.

Low-Interest Cards

One of the more recent additions to the credit card world is the low-interest credit card. These cards offer a significantly lower interest rate than most of the older cards you may already have. As balance-transfer cards, most of them offer you the option of transferring a balance from a higher interest rate card and, for a specified period of time, your transferred balance will be at either 0% interest or something quite low. This can save you a fair amount of money if your plan is to pay it off.

Reward and Incentive Cards

Since credit cards have become such a lucrative business, many corporations have jumped on the bandwagon. Even airlines now offer credit cards that come with a certain amount of frequent flyer miles attached, depending on your balance and purchases. If you do a fair amount of traveling, this can be a real bonus. Along these same lines, reward credit cards are growing in popularity. Competition is stiff, and many card companies are now offering different reward or incentive options for using their cards. Once you accumulate enough points, the rewards pour in. These can be anything from travel insurance to small appliances. If you use a card regularly, finding one with a reward program can really pay off.

Instant Approval Cards

Another form of credit card is the instant approval card. Once you fill out the application, a quick background check will be done and you will have your approval almost immediately. Regular cards can take up to 2 weeks to process. Although you can get instant approval, this does not always mean you can get instant credit. Some companies will supply you with a temporary credit card number and allow you to begin making purchases immediately, while others will not, due to an increase in credit card fraud potential.

Protect Your Credit

Since there are so many options in choosing a credit card, you should do a little research before you apply. Decide what type of card best fits your needs and apply for that one. Don’t go overboard, though. Applying for too many cards will negatively affect your credit rating.

And, above all, once you get your new credit card, use it responsibly.

What You Need To Know About Credit Cards

What is a credit card? A credit card is a card that allows you to borrow money to pay for things. There will be a limit to how much you can spend called your credit limit. At the end of each month you can either pay off the whole of the amount you owe or make a minimum repayment. Other kinds of cards include: 1) A cheque guarantee card, issued by your bank, that you can use to ensure that your cheque will be honoured up to a certain limit.

2) A chargecard where you have to repay the full amount at the end of each month.

3) A debit card, issued by your bank, where whatever you spend is immediately deducted from your bank account Do you need a credit card? Using a credit card is a useful way of making purchases: a) A credit card means you don’t need to carry huge amounts of cash around and risk losing it.

b) A credit card means you can buy items over the internet.

c) A credit card means you can make purchases abroad without having to worry about local currency.

d) A credit card gives the opportunity to spread the cost of a large payment over several months.

e) A credit card is useful in an emergency. For example, an unexpected repair to your house or car.How do you choose a credit card? The main two UK credit card issuers are Visa and Mastercard. These are accepted in most places and in 130 countries worldwide. Beware of less well known brands that may not be accepted everywhere. Before you choose which credit card is the best for you, remember to read the terms and conditions carefully. Never sign up for a credit card without fully understanding what you are agreeing to. Remember that all the plus factors will be prominently displayed in large print. You may have to study the small print carefully to discover if there are any negative factors.
A list of the current cards on offer in summary is available on this credit card summary page. What You Need To Consider:1) APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

This is the rate of interest that you will pay on any outstanding balance. 2) Special Introductory Rates

You may be offered a low or 0% rate of interest for a limited time (Up to 6 months) when you sign up for a new card. A higher rate of interest may be charged for cash withdrawals. 3) Balance Transfer Rate

Card issuers may offer you a lower rate of interest if your swap your balance from another credit card to theirs. 4) Interest Free period

Remember to check when interest payments will begin. Will you pay interest from the day of the purchase? Or will you have a number of days interest free before you begin to pay? There is usually no interest free period for cash withdrawals. 5) Cashback and Rewards

Some cards over points or rewards for every pound spent on the credit card. Make sure that these are appropriate for you. For example, there&’s no use collecting airmiles if you never fly. 6) Minimum Repayment

Remember to check what the minimum monthly repayment will be. If you borrow £1000 on your credit card the monthly minimum repayment will probably be in the region of £25. But if you only pay this amount each month it will take a long time to pay off the balance and cost a lot in total when you include the interest payments. 7) Annual Fees

This is the fee that the issuer will charge you every year for using their credit card. Not all credit cards have an annual fee, so remember to consider this when you are choosing which one is right for you. 8) Late Payments

There will be an extra charge, as well as the interest owed, if your payment is late. This charge may even be more than the amount you owe so be very careful to check what the charge is, and to ensure that all your payments are made on time. A good way of doing this is to set up a direct debit from your current account. 9) Exceeding Your Limit

You may also be charged a fee if you exceed your credit limit. Will Your Application Be Accepted? Whether or not your application is successful will depend on your credit rating. Your credit rating depends on your credit history (a record of your use of credit) and is based on the record of your ability to repay debt. You can obtain a copy of your credit file by contacting a credit reference agency. There may be a small fee for this service. When you application has been accepted you will be given a credit limit. The credit limit will be fixed when you first apply for your card (although you can ask for it to be increased or decreased later) and the limit, including the amount you have left available to spend, will be shown on your monthly statement. Insurances and Protection. What You Can Do: 1) Take good care of your credit card to ensure that it isn’t lost or stolen. 2) To prevent misuse of your card you must report any loss or theft of your card to the issuer immediately. Many issuers allow you to register all your cards with them so that in the event of you losing a purse, handbag or wallet they can all be cancelled with just one phone call. 3) You must keep all your receipts and also check your statement carefully and report any suspicious transactions. For example payments that you have no record of making. 4) Credit card companies are now issuing cards with PIN (Personal identification numbers) which are known as Chip and PIN cards. Rather than signing your name you will be asked to enter your PIN onto a keypad. You must ensure that you keep this number secret. What The Issuer Will Do 1) The issuer should insure you against loss, misuse or theft of your card. 2) The issuer may also insure your purchases for up to 100 days. 3) Your issuer may also provide protection against you being sold unsuitable or shoddy goods. Important Points To Remember:a) Credit cards can be a very useful tool to help you to manage your finances.

b) Choose your card carefully, remembering to read and understand all the terms and conditions before you sign up.

c) Remember to set yourself a budget and decide how much you will pay off each month.

d) Check your statements carefully each month.

e) Look after your card to prevent it being lost or stolen.For a glossary of the terms mentioned in this article please visit the credit card glossary page.

Building a Better Branded Business Card

Everyone knows the business card is your first introduction to a new client. Most even understand the importance of making the most of your promotional documents, and what it says about you. But recently there’s been a lot of chatter about Brand Recognition and how the Business Card represents your Brand.

Recently, I was handed a card for Real Estate in a mountainous area of the community and the Realtor’s name was Giselle. The card had the image of a Gazelle on the back, with her information on the front. Either way, you’d know whose card you had. An amazing woman, she represented properties in the highlands and her card represented that very well.

Another card, had black markings and a red “check mark” indicating that she’d CHECK OFF her list of strategic processes. The card was as amazing and memorable as the woman. The woman’s business was well branded and easily recognized by the first promotional document she handed you.

Yet another, sported pink markings on one side and a well presented head shot photo on the front with an appointment blank at the bottom. The Mary Kay consultant represented fit the card, and could easily be identified and remembered by the award winning smile on the front.

These three business cards represent women who know that branding successfully means being identifiable among the crowds, and specifically in the masses of cards collected daily by business owners. Building a better branded business card means putting your personality and identifiable properties on the card.

• Use a high impact graphic that says “YOU”

• Include identifiable characteristics of your business

• Include a photo – head shot of yourself on the front

• Add your logo to the back of the card and say something with color

• Impact the audience with a difference that is recognizable in a stack of cards Your Business Card is the first contact your clients have with your business.

Make it memorable. Effectively brand your business with Logo Designs that speak volumes without saying a word.