-
The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.
Linus Pauling Categories
Author Archives: Candice Choi
Key moves for surviving low interest rates
Interest rates aren’t budging anytime soon. That means it’s time to rethink your financial strategy. The Federal Reserve said last week that it would keep its benchmark rate at record lows for at least another three years. Read More
Giving a gift card? Don’t add fees under the tree
Gift cards are an easy way to ward off disappointment during the holidays. In the best case scenarios, they give our loved ones the freedom to buy whatever it is they really want and alleviate the stress of trying to find the perfect gifts. Read More
4 pitfalls of holiday perks for credit cards
It seems like the most wonderful time of year for credit card rewards. With the holiday season fast approaching, card issuers are dangling big sign-on bonuses and richer rewards. Read More
It’s open (enrollment) season on tax savings
Grumbling about taxes is a national preoccupation. Yet workers forgo thousands of dollars in tax savings every year. Read More
Opening a college savings plan? Know the options
Saving for college is increasingly becoming an investor’s game. As tuition continues to climb, state-sponsored college savings plans have become widely hailed as the most prudent way for families to prepare for the future. Read More
Refinancing your mortgage? Understand appraisals
Mortgage rates are tantalizingly low. But for some homeowners, the opportunity to refinance could be scuttled by an appraisal. The process isn’t an exact science and homeowners may be surprised to find their property isn’t worth as much as they believed. Read More
Biggest blind spot for car buyers? Financing
Car buyers are getting smarter about negotiating prices. Securing cheap financing is another matter. It’s a common blind spot for consumers, who tend to fixate on the sticker price without giving much thought to the back end of the deal. Read More
5 ways to take control of student loan bills now
School isn’t over yet for recent college graduates. Their next test is figuring out how to repay student loans. Read More
Credit card regulation offers hits and misses
Credit card customers are facing fewer interest rate hikes and forking over sharply less in late fees.
A year after new regulations curbed a spate of questionable billing practices, federal officials say over-the-limit penalty charges have also been dramatically curtailed. The findings were released by the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which will administer the regulations once it’s officially up and running this summer. Read More
Tips for transferring a credit card balance
Don’t like the terms on your credit card? It could be time to take your business elsewhere.
Balance transfer offers are getting a whole lot sweeter for those with good to excellent credit. Introductory rates of 0 percent are now as long as 18 months, more than double the average time offered at the height of the recession. The newfound generosity comes as banks compete to land the top spenders with clean credit records. Read More
Credit cards in 2011: Higher rates, richer rewards
A new breed of credit cards is on the way for 2011. Tighter regulations, cutting-edge technologies and a growing willingness by banks to lend again are just some of the factors reshaping the credit card industry. For sharp-eyed consumers, the changes could present an opportunity to significantly lower monthly expenses.
To make the most of your plastic, here are the key trends to watch…read more Read More
