The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards™
Thursday, October 1, 2026

Gerri Detweiler

Credit Expert
Gerri Detweiler

About The Author

Credit expert Gerri Detweiler has been guiding individuals and small business owners through the confusing world of credit and financing for 30+ years. Her articles have appeared on many sites including Forbes, MSN, and MarketWatch. She is the author or co-author of six books, including "Finance Your Own Business: Get on the Financing Fast Track." She hosted a live radio show for three years and has testified before Congress on consumer credit legislation.

Latest Posts

Worked On 11 Articles To Date
Is It Safe to Throw Out Credit Card Statements?

Is It Safe to Throw Out Credit Card Statements?

By: Gerri Detweiler • 9/23/2026

There’s a common saying in downsizing circles that “no one wants your stuff.” When it comes to a... Read More »

How to Reopen a Closed Credit Card (3 Steps to Take After Closure)

How to Reopen a Closed Credit Card (3 Steps)

By: Gerri Detweiler • 9/2/2026

Your credit card issuer closed your account. Is it possible to reopen it? That question is more common... Read More »

What Happens If You Don’t Use Your Credit Card? 3 Ways It Can Impact Your Finances

What Happens When You Don't Use Your Credit Card?

By: Gerri Detweiler • 8/4/2026

If you don’t use a credit card, you may lose it. It’s a lesson I learned firsthand recently when one of... Read More »

What Triggers a Credit Limit Decrease on Your Credit Card? 7 Reasons Issuers Make the Move

What Triggers a Credit Limit Decrease on Your Credit Card?

By: Gerri Detweiler • 6/30/2026

You go to make a purchase with your credit card and discover the credit limit you were counting on is... Read More »

Why Credit Card Payments Sometimes Get Applied Incorrectly (And What You Can Do)

Why Credit Card Payments Get Applied Incorrectly

By: Gerri Detweiler • 6/4/2026

Paying your credit card should be straightforward — and it often is — but when things go wrong, you can... Read More »

7 Reasons Why Credit Card Minimum Payments Can Increase Suddenly

7 Reasons Credit Card Minimum Payments Increase

By: Gerri Detweiler • 5/28/2026

There’s often a moment of dread before you look at your credit card statement. Discovering your payment... Read More »

Why Gas Stations and Hotels Place Large Holds on Credit Cards

Why Gas Stations and Hotels Place Large Holds on Credit Cards

By: Gerri Detweiler • 3/31/2026

Filling up recently, I did a double-take when I swiped my credit card and saw $175 flash across the... Read More »

Statement vs. Current Balance on a Credit Card: What’s the Difference?

Credit Card Statement Balance vs. Current Balance

By: Gerri Detweiler • 3/9/2026

If you find your credit card statement confusing, you’re not alone. Whether you check online, on your... Read More »

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