Google Wallet and the New Wave of Paying for Things

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How Google Wallet Works

Imagine going to a store or a restaurant and you forgot your wallet or purse.  No credit cards.  No cash.  No problem!  Whip out your cell phone, enter your pin, tap, and paid.  “What,” you say?!?

Google introduces Google Wallet

Google is revolutionizing the way that we pay for things.  Google has introduced a new application available on your phone that turns your phone into your digital wallet and gives you an alternate form of payment.  This will allow shoppers to pay for groceries or a new outfit at the mall with their mobile device.
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Should You Cancel That Credit Card?

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Ever since the financial crisis in 2008, and the resultant recession, there has been a renewed interest in canceling credit cards and getting out of debt. Additionally, the upswing in fees from many credit card issuers has prompted some to want to cancel credit cards in order to avoid those fees.  Many card issuers are instituting annual fees, leading even the most responsible and conscientious card users to feel the costs of credit card spending.

However, just because it’s tempting to cancel your credit card, doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea. Before you cancel your card, consider the effect that a cancellation could have on your credit score.Continue Reading

How to Avoid Free Trial Scams and What to Do if You Suspect You are a Victim

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With the economy still stuck in limbo, many people have been looking for a way to save money and cut back where they can. Couponing has had a boost in popularity lately, and deal websites like Groupon and Living Social have been thriving.  Along with these trends, people have been increasingly signing up for free trial offers.  “Try before you buy” has allowed many consumers to give a product or service a test drive before purchasing.  As sweet as that sounds, the FTC has some concerns and want you to be aware of potential scammers, taking advantage of you.
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Best Western Hotel Rewards – A Review

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Would you like the flexibility to earn hotel rewards or airline rewards with every hotel stay at a hotel chain that is in six different continents? If so, you may want to join Best Western Rewards program.

Best Western Rewards offers flexibility in the way you decide to earn points.  You can choose to earn Best Western Rewards at 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying stays at over 4,000 hotels worldwide in North, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.  Or, you can choose to earn 600 Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points, 20 AIR MILES reward miles or at least 250 airline/partner rewards per qualified stay.  (You must specify which way you would like to earn your rewards when signing up for Best Western Rewards.)
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What First Time Home Buyers Need to Know About Their Credit Card Balances

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Many people who feel they are prepared to enter the real estate market by purchasing their first home have experienced a roadblock to good mortgage rates – their credit cards. Credit cards can play a positive, but also a negative role in the process of purchasing a home.

There is not a doubt that having a credit card can work highly in your favor when it comes time to shop around for your first home.  If you have a consistent history of timely credit card payments this builds a strong credit rating.  Having a high credit score not only will secure you a mortgage quickly, but one with very competitive rates.

Your credit card can be very influential when determining what mortgage you are seeking because the credit card payments are added to what the payments ‘would be’ on a possible mortgage to determine how much can be afforded.
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Credit Cards for Excellent Credit

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Having excellent credit (usually 750 or higher) is good for more than mortgage and car loan rates.

An excellent credit score can also yield you a credit card that offers better benefits such as longer balance transfer periods, low introductory APR interest rates, cash back bonuses, better rewards, and better general benefits.

Below I’m going to highlight some of the best credit cards for excellent credit.  If you are looking for a new credit card, and you have excellent credit, see if any of the following cards fit your spending needs.

To keep things simple, I’ve left out specialized cards like airline miles cards, travel rewards cards, small business cards, or hotel rewards cards.Continue Reading

Starwood Preferred Guest Hotel Reward Program – A Review

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If you are looking for a fairly simple hotel rewards program that offers convenient locations and the ability to book flights (and more) with your points, you need to look into the Starwood Preferred Guest hotel reward program.

Starwood Preferred Guest offers 2 points (Starpoints) for every dollar spent at over 1,000 approved locations in 93 countries and 9 hotels including Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, W Hotels, aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Meridien, Element, Westin and St. Regis.

You are required to give basic information such as your name, address, and e-mail address in addition to your room preferences when signing up for a Starwood Preferred Guest account.  You can optionally give more information such as your phone number.Continue Reading

American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card – Review

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When you think of a gold card the first thing that comes to mind is American Express®.

They are the one who put an exclusive card on the map. 

I’m going to show you what makes the American Express(R) Premier Rewards Gold Card special.

First off, don’t make the mistake of thinking this is a credit card, it’s not.

This is a CHARGE card.  That means that the purchases you make are expected to be paid off IN FULL when you get your statement.  There are some exceptions but for the most part this is a card for people who will be able to pay everything off every month (you should really aim to do that anyway).

Being a charge card means there is no pre-set spending limit for the card.  Not that you can go out and spend to your heart’s content though.  Your purchasing power will adjust to your spending habits, your payment habits, your income, and other factors that American Express takes into account.Continue Reading

Credit Card Delinquency on the Decline

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Amidst all the negativity that sometimes shrouds credit cards there is some amazing news. For the first time in a decade, bank card delinquencies dipped below the 15-year average.  Earlier this month, the American Bankers Association (ABA) released a report announcing this good news.

According to the ABA’s report, credit card consumers overall have done a better job in meeting their debt obligations in the fourth quarter of 2010.  They indicate that this may be attributed to a slowly improving economy which allows consumers to better manage their debt.  Another contributing factor is that for the first time in two years, over 200,000 jobs were created; therefore the unemployment rate dropped to 8.8 percent.Continue Reading

Paying Taxes with a Credit Card: Pros and Cons

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credit card on computer keyboard

Are you thinking of paying taxes with a credit card?

The thought of clearing a debt with the IRS in one fell swoop is certainly appealing, and if your credit rating is not in good standing in order to obtain a bank loan, that credit card can sure look good.

But is using a credit card to pay taxes a wise decision?

Before we explore the pros and cons of paying taxes with a credit card, let’s examine paying taxes through an installment agreement with the IRS.

First things first, contacting the IRS and working out an installment agreement is one possible option to manage your debt.  Complete the IRS Installment Agreement Request Form 9465.  If you owe $25,000 or less this process can be completed online.  The IRS may allow you up to 60 months to pay your tax debt.  Within 30 days the IRS should let you know if your request has been approved and what you will be required to pay.
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