Kalmia Records Blog

In view of the high gas prices, we will still be much dependant on gas, until someone comes up with a better and cheaper power source replacement. Nevertheless, there is always a silver lining behind a grey cloud in any situation. What better way to acquire more value for your money in an era of inflation than getting your money back for pumping gas?

This can be a reality with gas reward cards. Usually with no annual fees required, gas reward cards charge a higher APR as compared to normal credit cards. Some gas reward cards limit the rebates of gasoline and general purchases to specific brands only. This means that you will only get rebates from purchases made at selected stores. Some of these cards also limit the total amount of annual rebates for each customer, with the usual limit being $300. Another type of gas reward card allows you to accumulate points from multiple brand gasoline stations. You can then redeem these points at affiliated partner stores, or even acquire gift cards and certificates from the gas company instead of rebates.

The downside to gas reward cards may be that consumers may be prompted to spend more rather than to save on their gas expenses. In any case, rewards should be viewed not as a goal to be achieved, but rather as just a reward. Otherwise, the original purpose of a gas reward card of cutting unavoidable expenses would be defeated.

Similar to cash-back reward cards, gas rebate cards return a percentage of your gasoline purchases to you on a monthly basis. The rebates are usually in the region of 1% to 6%, with the average being 3%. Some cards may offer an introductory percentage of 5% to 8%, only to lower it down to the usual 3% about two to three months later. Apart from the rebate on gas, users should also look for cash-back rebates on normal purchases for the same card. The rebates for such purchases are of a lower percentage (around 1% or 2%) but these purchases can add up if your family shops with supplementary cards. Some cards even offer double value for your points when you use them to redeem special items at selected stores.

Adam Goldman recommends Find Credit Cards if you’re looking to put gasoline in your tank and cash back in your pocket with a gas reward card.

There are a couple of reasons for this. You can pay your bills on time for years and never gain more than a few points on your credit score.

As you probably already know, paying minimums on credit cards and bank loans do not lower your principle amount very quickly. When your balance is too close to your credit limit on a card, it actually hurts your score, even though you may be paying your bills every month without fail.

Paying the minimum can actually hurt you in some cases, especially on cards with high balances. Banks like to see plenty of breathing room on your credit cards. You are more creditworthy to them if you have plenty of availability on your cards.

Another reason you may be denied credit is your debt-to- income ratio. If your total debt is too close to your total income, Banks will not extend you credit. I struggled with these issues for years until i figured out what i was doing wrong. Every time i would lower my balances, I would run right out and build them back up.

By paying down your balances and making smaller purchases on your cards, you can raise your score significantly in just a few months. Only buy on credit what you can pay off at bill time. Buy something and pay it off… Buy something and pay it off… You get the idea. This will eventually get you higher limits and lower your rates, as well.

So, you can keep paying bills on time for eternity, but until you lower your balances and decrease your debt, you’ll be stuck in credit score mediocrity.

Eric Barnes is an expert on internet marketing and information products. He has been selling on the web for more than five years. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife. You can learn more about his products at http://www.ebookdepot.net or contact him at erock21@adelphia.net

There is a big difference between looking after your own finances while living alone, or with parents, and living with a partner. The transition can be very difficult, especially if both partners are strongly independent, or one partner is financially weak and the other strong. In fact, it is an area of a new relationship that has many pitfalls if you do not set the ground rules from the start.

It is best to sit down together and quietly plan your finances, even before you get married or move in together. Then, when you do so, it is important to be open with each other, and discuss what may go wrong with the domestic finances if you do not plan correctly. That way, you can work on a plan together, and a budget, and set ground rules for a smooth financial future together. It is sensible to bring the use of credit into that discussion, as there will come a time, maybe from day one, when credit cards and other forms of credit become an issue. Agreement on all relevant credit and finance issues will reduce the risk of problems, arguments and misunderstandings later on.

An early decision to make is whether to keep finances separate or not; deciding, for example, whether to have joint bank accounts or joint credit cards.

The Benefits of Joint Accounts

The advantages of consolidating funds into one current account include:

1. Easier record keeping.

2. Should you apply for a loan at any time, there will be less paperwork.

3. Working closely together on the running of the account may help to solidify the relationship and build trust. It gives an opportunity for both of you to bring out your best co-operative nature.

There is one drawback, though. With two people actively using the account, it is not so easy for you to keep track of the account transactions and balances, especially if you are both using the account a lot. This can be overcome by discussing openly all expenditure the day it happens.

The Benefits of Separate Accounts

Keeping separate accounts will allow each person in the relationship more freedom: each will not need to check with their partner over every purchase. In addition, having separate accounts may create fewer complications in the relationship. It will allow them to maintain a sense of independence, and this can be very important to some relationships.

One negative to a joint finance arrangement is that it can seem unfair. If one partner earns £40,000 per year, and the other only £25,000, the person with the lower salary may feel there is a lack of trust!

If you do decide to have joint bank accounts checking or savings accounts, then you will need to find a system for paying household bills and handling other joint finances together. One option that works well, and that I use, is to have one joint bank account into which you both pay each month for the house expenses. This can work very well, especially if you sit down together and agree the budget first, and what proportion will be funded by each partner. It is important to get this all clear from the start, then there is likely to be less risk of a problem with financial arguments later on.

Joint Credit Arrangements

Something else to consider with joint finances is credit. This can be considered beneficial, or problematical, depending on your individual credit ratings. At some stage, though, you may both want to apply for joint credit. This is most likely with a big purchase, such as a car or a house. It is best to do that if you have joint credit. With joint credit, you will both be 100% responsible for the debt, even if you co-sign a loan with your partner, or add your name to your partner’s credit card account. If, on the other hand, you decide to maintain separate credit, the general rule is that you are not responsible for each other’s debt. An exception to this may be if the debt is considered a family expense.

Should one person have had a bad credit record before marriage, then it is advisable for the other to keep their credit separate. A joint credit application will be considered based on the two crdit scores, and the lower one will drag down the other.

This finance and credit article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and author of the Eliminate Credit Card Debt Now website.

Business credit cards are among the more popular kind of credit cards available. Being on the receiving end of credit is always a privilege and pleasure. Business credit cards are tailored to enhance this pleasure in ways that meet your business needs. Small business credit cards offer various intangible benefits to small businesses in addition to the regular perks.

The Perks of a Business Credit Card

1) Frequent Flier Programs - For business users who travel around the world, additional air miles are one of the exciting perks offered by business credit cards. When a business traveler travels by air and pays through the credit card, they earn bonus miles. These miles can be redeemed in terms of additional air tickets. Another benefit is the regulation and monitoring of business travel by employees by payment through credit cards.

2) Rebates - Some credit cards give rebates on business spending. It can be looked at as a huge saving to the company.

3) Reward Programs - Points are given on each dollar spent through your small business credit card. These points can then be exchanged for a range of exciting merchandise.

The Intangible Benefits of a Small Business Credit Card

One of the benefits of a small business credit card is bringing about a sense of organization. Apart from the separation of business expense from personal expense, the small business credit card also brings great convenience. You can use it to transact via the internet or even the phone.

Tracking business expenditures becomes easy with a small business credit card, giving you organized financial statements at the end of the year.

Individual employee spending can be monitored and regulated through the use of small business credit cards. An important but often overlooked benefit of small business credit cards is the building of business credit. Over time your credit card give you better credit, this is useful as emergency cash when your business grows.

Think Smart for Your Long Term Needs

1) Applying for a card at your bank makes it easier for your application to be accepted. Your existing relationship and their knowledge of your credit history simplify the process.

2) Remember, having too many credit cards not only makes managing them a chore, but also affects your credit rating negatively.

3) Use your small business credit cards effectively, for instance by paying online. Not only does your card offer you faster methods of payment, but also in many instances is a cash saver.

4) Using cash advance should be only for emergency purposes, since they incur interest. Make your payments in time, as not doing so incurs costs that eat into the benefits of owning your business credit card.

Small business credit cards are the new currency of a fast paced, time efficient world. The privilege of owning a business card is balanced with its responsibility. Choose the one that is right for you. Take your business needs into account, and also weigh each credit card against the perks they offer relevant to you. Use good financial sense and do not overextend credit.

Business credit cards are valuable tools that were invented in response to current business needs. Remember to choose wisely, and use wisely.

Losing your purse or wallet or having it stolen is a frightening experience, but dealing with the missing credit cards doesn’t have to be. All it takes is a little work now to be able to make the right decisions should it ever happen to you.

What to do now

One of the best things to do to keep your credit cards safe is to scan or make copies of all of the cards that you have (front and back sides). This will allow you to have the numbers as well as the customer service numbers readily available if they are ever missing.

Also, you will want to gather the numbers of the major credit reporting agenciesExperian, Equifax, and Transunion. You will need to call these agencies to put fraud watches on your accounts and monitor any suspicious behavior.

You might also want to only carry one credit card with you at a time so that there is minimal damage should it become lost or stolen.

When you realize that your credit cards are missing

As soon as you find that your credit cards are gone, you’ll want to do several things. First of all, you will want to call the credit card companies to cancel your accounts. Let them know what happened and when you first noticed that the card was gone. This can help to track any further purchases that might have been made without your permission.

The card companies will also help issue you a new card so that you can still have a card to use, but one that will be in your possession. Be sure to note if you have any recurring bills that are paid by your credit cards and talk to those agencies to change the credit card number that is on file.

You will also want to file a police report to show documentation that the cards were indeed stolen and from where they were stolen.

Then you can contact the credit reporting agencies to alert them that your cards have been stolen, but the card companies know and will be halting your accounts.

All of these steps will help to ensure that you aren’t responsible for any charges that are made after you noticed their disappearance as well as make sure that you don’t have any damage done to your credit report for any fraudulent acts from other information that might have been in your purse or wallet.