Articles about Credit Card Debt

The strategies on this site are based on various reports and the financial experience of respected  authorities.

Are Credit Cards a Bad Idea?
Credit Cards are just so convenient, aren't they? Like anything convenient, though, credit cards have a flip side - in fact, they have lots.

Credit Card Cheques and Cash Advances
Once you've got a credit card, you'll find that you can do more with it than just pay for things with the card. You might be sent a credit card chequebook, for those times when you're paying someone who can't accept your card.

Credit Rating
You might not know it, but every time you take out any kind of loan or credit or pay something back, it gets counted on your credit rating.

The Right Credit Card For You
There are so many credit cards out there to choose from that deciding which one to get can feel really daunting.

Turned Down for a Credit Card
So you've gone through the long and terrible process of giving your details, only to find that you got turned down. What can you do when it happens?

The Best rates
You 've got a few credit cards, and you're quite happy with them overall. Still, wouldn't it be nice to save a little money on interest? You'd be surprised how easy it is to get a better rate.

Interest Rates Strategies
For all people shop around for the best rate, there are few who have taken the time to sit down and add it all up.

Terms and Conditions
When you're looking at a credit card offer, take a look at the small print - it seems like a maze, but it's vitally important.

Top Five Credit Cards Mistakes
There are plenty of people out there who make all sorts of dangerous mistakes with their credit cards every day.

A Credit Card Jargon Buster
Credit cards, as part of the financial industry, use a massive array of jargon. You can't be expected to recognize all these technical terms - so here's a quick guide, in alphabetical order.

Beware the Sudden Rate Hike
There are some credit card lenders out there who are trying to scam you. They'll offer you a good interest rate, wait for you to spend a lot of money, and then suddenly jack up the interest through the roof.

Always Avoid Payment Holidays
Once you've been paying off a credit card for a while, you might be offered a 'payment holiday'. You'll get a letter, offering you a month off from paying, as 'a special present'.

They Don't Want You to Pay!
In all your dealings with credit cards, remember this one thing: they don't want you to pay. They want you to keep on paying them a little every month for the rest of your life, making them a steady profit on things you long since forgot about buying.

So You Missed a Payment ...
You can't afford to pay, the payment didn't get there in time or you just plain forgot. Sooner or later, something is bound to go wrong.

The Human Side: Debt Stress.
Credit Card debt is extremely stressful, and can have a very negative effect on your life. In this article, we'll take a look at how you can recognize debt stress, and what you can do about it.

You're not alone: Credit Card Statistics.
Do you have any idea just how common credit cards are? Let's take a look at a few statistics from the USA.

Moving Debt Between Cards Can Save You Money.
The credit card industry is so competitive that the chances are that somewhere out there is one that would be cheaper or better for you - and you can change as often as you want!

Stop Paying the Minimum.
Credit cards are there to put you in debt and keep you in debt. When they do it, they have one tool at their disposal that is more effective than all the others. It's called the minimum payment.

Don't Save When You Have Debt.
Yes, it feels better to save, but ... there are almost no savings accounts that offer interest rates as high as the ones credit cards charge.

Pay it Back Strategically.
When you're paying back debts, a little strategy can make a difference of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The best strategy is simple, but effective.

Should I get a Consolidation Loan?
A consolidation loan is a loan that you can use to pay off all your debts, meaning that you can pay them off for less money without having to worry about lots of different bills.

Credit Card Scams.
There are plenty of people who are desperate to borrow money. Given that, it's not surprising that the industry is full of scams.

Negotiating Your Debts.
You can negotiate your debts, and pay back much less than you owe - as long as they get their debt plus interest in the end, no-one is expecting you to pay the full amount when you just can't afford to.

What to Do If You're Considering Bankruptcy
Out of ignorance, more and more people seem to be using bankruptcy as a first option, instead of a last resort. Before you do it, make sure you've considered every alternative.

Alternatives to Credit Cards
Few people realize just how many alternatives to credit cards there are. Let's take a look at a few.

We recommend the following credit card and debt resources. They are highly reputable and will help you in choosing the best available solution for you, as well as in finding the best credit cards around.
 

Credit Card Resources

CreditAxis guarantees anyone a bad credit loan or credit card approval through their directory of little-known lenders. They also offer a unique credit repair kit and a do-it-yourself bankruptcy filing kit. Their information is applicable to residents of the U.S., Canada, and the UK.

LowerMyBills is a comprehensive service that helps consumers lower all their monthly bills, all in one spot. They offer a broad range of savings opportunities, with a special focus on home loans. LowerMyBills has established itself as leader in the online comparison shopping marketplace.

Debt consolidation is one of the hottest offers online today and DebtAdvocates.cc (from Intermark Media) is the first in the industry to give consumers the choice to either consolidate or eliminate their debt - based on their financial situation.