Applying | Credit Card Topics

18 Best Secured Credit Cards in 2018

By: Ashley Dull, 8/10/2018

In a time when your word to repay was all lenders had to go on, collateral was a common way to add a little extra security for the financier to the deal. Today, in the age of credit reports and scores, a positive credit history acts as collateral for a variety of credit products. But, what if you don't have a credit history — or you do, but it's not in great shape? Secured credit cards harken back to the idea of collateral by using a cash deposit as security against default.... read more »

6 Best Wells Fargo Credit Cards for 2018

By: Ashley Dull, 7/27/2018

Whether thanks to history or cinematic recreation, some things are iconically Western, like cowboys, saloons, and stagecoaches. And — Wells Fargo? While not what many of us think of when we pass by a Wells Fargo branch, the modern-day Wells Fargo can trace its roots to the Wild West and the famed Pony Express. Those stagecoaches on its sign aren't just for show. Today's Wells Fargo may not operate many cross-country stagecoaches, but it does have thousands of bank branches that... read more »

5 Facts About the Shopping Cart Trick for Credit Cards

By: Brittney Mayer, 7/13/2018

Although it's a little counter-intuitive to some, applying for new credit can cause your credit score to drop by several points. That's because of the hard credit inquiry added to your credit reports when lenders check your credit. While a single hard inquiry has only a small impact, multiple hard inquiries within a short period of time can cause more significant damage. As a result, it's always best to minimize the number of hard inquiries that show up on your reports. One such... read more »

21 Best Credit Cards for New Homeowners in 2018

By: Brittney Mayer, 7/11/2018

Although the purchase price of your new home was likely in the six figures, handing over that check at closing is often only the start of the spending. You still need to pay for the move, set up utilities, fix that leaky faucet, buy furniture — and the list goes on. In other words, while finding savings where you can is always a good idea, it can be downright vital for many new homeowners whose budgets are already strapped. That's where using the right credit cards can make a... read more »

18 Best Credit Cards for Light Spenders: No Fees for Low Spending

By: Brittney Mayer, 7/6/2018

Credit card blogs are always full of churners and high rollers who put thousands of dollars of spend on their cards each month to earn free trips around the world. But while these stories can be inspiring, they're not often manageable for the typical cardholder. On the bright side, you don't actually need to spend like a Rockefeller to take advantage of credit card rewards. Even modest spenders can earn great cash back, points, and miles — without breaking the bank. Tons of great... read more »

What Are the Capital One Credit Score Requirements for 2018?

By: Ashley Dull, 7/4/2018

With a catchy slogan that's hard to forget — "What's in your wallet?" — and popular celebrities touting its virtues, Capital One has become a major contender in the credit card marketplace. The young bank offers a range of credit card products, with something for just about anyone. There are options for travel miles and cash back rewards aimed at good-credit consumers as well as starter cards designed for credit-builders. Capital One also has options for more niche consumers,... read more »

3 Simple Questions — “Best Credit Card for Me” Quiz

By: Brittney Mayer, 6/29/2018

Although most of us prefer to have a range of options, research suggests that too many options can put our brains into overload, making us nearly incapable of coming to a decision. The modern credit card market is a perfect example of too much choice, with everyone from banks and credit unions to our favorite retailers offering credit cards from which to choose. To help cut through the field of options, we've put together a quick quiz that can direct you toward the right card in... read more »

Credit Card Numbers (2018): How to Get Card Numbers Online

By: Brittney Mayer, 6/25/2018

Sometimes it seems as though, in just a few decades, we've gone from having hardly any credit cards at all to living in a world in which nearly every product and service requires a credit card number to operate. But while many of us already have a credit card or two — or 40 — there are still thousands of Americans without the necessary numerical key to unlock many popular services. So, how do you get a credit card number? It starts by finding the right card. And given that... read more »

8 Best Loans & Credit Cards for a 400 to 450 Credit Score

By: Ashley Dull, 5/7/2018

Although the number of people with sub-500 FICO credit scores has dropped over the last decade, it's still a fairly significant 4.7% of US consumers, or around 14 million adults. And while having a credit score between 400 and 450 is above the minimum — FICO scores range from 300 to 850 — it's still a very difficult situation to remedy. That being said, it's not impossible to qualify for credit with a 400 to 450 credit score, but you'll need to accept that the rates and fees... read more »

18 Best Credit Cards for Nonprofits

By: Ashley Dull, 5/2/2018

Although many people don't think of their favorite charity or help group as a business, nonprofits are, in fact, considered to be businesses in the eyes of the law (albeit often tax-exempt ones). With that in mind, the best credit cards for most nonprofits are likely to be business credit cards. For one thing, they can help your nonprofit establish and build business credit. Another, perhaps more compelling reason is that many business credit cards provide purchase rewards and... read more »

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