Credit Card Usage | Credit Card Topics

The Average Number of Credit Card Transactions Per Day & Year

By: Erica Sandberg, 11/9/2020

Credit card users make a mind-boggling number of daily transactions every year. The figures are astounding, whether you're looking at what’s happening in the United States or in countries across the globe. Credit card payments in 2018 totaled $44.7 billion in the U.S. alone, according to The 2019 Federal Reserve Payments Study. The speed at which these transactions process is awe-inspiring. Credit cards can settle 5,000 transactions per second. To further illustrate the... read more »

9 Best Credit Cards for Home Improvement Projects

By: Ashley Dull, 10/23/2020

Whether you're doing necessary maintenance like replacing moisture-damaged wood or you're adding a cool new addition to your home, homeowners have to put some cash into their domicile from time to time. In this article, we'll take a look at our choices for the best credit cards for home improvement. No matter how outdoorsy you are or how much you like to paint the town, just the time you spend sleeping can add up to more than 2,900 hours a year at home — and that's likely the... read more »

5 Ways to Use Your Credit Card for Social Action

By: Marcie Geffner, 7/1/2020

Credit cards may not seem like an obvious tool for social action. But in fact, credit cards provide multiple opportunities to make a difference and support causes you care about every day. Whether your aims are social, political, or charitable, here are five ways to use your credit cards to promote a cause. 1. Donate Your Cash Back or Card Rewards One way to support a cause with your credit card is to donate your cash back, miles, points, or other rewards to an organization that... read more »

10 Best Starter Credit Cards to Build Credit

By: Eric Bank, 3/4/2020

In this article, we review the 10 best starter credit cards to build credit. Using a starter credit card is an efficient way to create and build your credit profile. Many consumers who’ve never used credit are candidates for these cards, including students and unbanked millennials. In addition, you can work to rebuild a low credit score by getting a starter credit card and using it responsibly. These cards are easy to acquire and most offer cash back rewards. Whichever one you... read more »

13 Best Credit Cards for Electronics Purchases

By: Adam West, 12/17/2019

Many consumers struggle over whether to purchase a store’s extended warranty plan when buying a new electronic gadget. But, if you carry one of the best credit cards for electronics, you can confidently decline the offer and still feel safe. That's because you can automatically extend your warranty without having to pay an extra fee when you use any of the cards listed below to make your purchase. Some cards will even offer price protections that refund part of your purchase price... read more »

5 Best Credit Cards for Buying Bitcoin

By: Matt Walker, 12/16/2019

Early 2018 was a rough time for speculators who regularly purchased cryptocurrency using their credit cards. In a single two-week period, just about every major credit card issuer banned the purchase of Bitcoin and other alternative currencies using their cards. But a select few of the best credit cards for buying Bitcoin are still available. American Express remains the lone holdout among major issuers to enable the purchase of cryptocurrencies. The others referenced the lack of... read more »

10 Best Credit Cards for Buying Money Orders

By: Eric Bank, 12/6/2019

Money orders are handy alternatives when you want to send money. You can buy them at the U.S. Post Office as well as at retail stores and online. You prepay the money order with cash, a debit card, or with one of the best credit cards for buying money orders, so there is no chance that the money order will bounce. When you pay with a credit card, the transaction is considered a cash advance. The 10 cards in this review are best for purchasing money orders because they charge no or... read more »

How to Use a Credit Card Responsibly

By: John Ulzheimer, 12/2/2019

When you’re smart about the way you use credit cards, they come with fantastic benefits. When you’re not smart about the way you use credit cards, they can become problematic. Responsible credit card usage will save you money, build your credit reports and scores, and even help you earn valuable rewards or cash back. Irresponsible usage of credit cards can lead to defaults, debt collector calls, and even bankruptcy. Credit cards, along with student loans, have become the most... read more »

13 Best Credit Cards for Buying Furniture

By: Anna Baluch, 11/26/2019

While getting new furniture is exciting, it’s often an expensive endeavor. The good news is that you can pay with one of the best credit cards for buying furniture if you don’t have the cash for it upfront. Maybe you recently moved into a new home and need to furnish it. Or, maybe you’re tired of that 10-year-old couch in your family room and are looking for something new. Whatever your reasons for buying new furniture, these cards all offer 0% financing and rewards for your... read more »

12 Heaviest Credit Cards in 2020

By: Eric Bank, 11/15/2019

If you are of a certain age, the word "heavy" may rekindle fond memories of your college days when, sitting in a smoke-filled room, you would respond to a friend’s unexpected minor confession with a heartfelt “heavy, man.” In the here and now, heavy means weight, which brings us to the topic of the heaviest credit cards. These cards are fabricated from metal rather than plastic, giving them an air of permanence and solidity. Just holding one in your hand can make you feel,... read more »

9 Best Credit Cards to Use at Costco

By: Eric Bank, 10/28/2019

In the interest of full disclosure, I am one of the more than 94 million people who are Costco members. I love shopping for huge packages of paper towels and seedless grapes, and the prices are great. Our experts took a look at the best credit cards to use at Costco and identified 10 strong candidates. And while you may think you can use any credit card you want to pay for Costco purchases, that's not correct, because Costco only accepts cards on the Visa payment network. Read on... read more »

Is it Bad to Cancel a Credit Card?

By: Erica Sandberg, 10/23/2019

You may eventually want to purge one, some, or even all of your credit card accounts. Whether it's out of need or desire, you have every right to back out of the deal. There are potential drawbacks to canceling a credit card, however, so it’s important to learn what they are before ending the relationship. The downsides may inspire you to keep an account active. Of course, there are times when it makes sense to kiss your card goodbye, too. Here’s what you need to know to make... read more »

21 Best Credit Cards for Shopping

By: Matt Walker, 9/27/2019

Most people have experienced heading out to the supermarket, a department store, or the mall, to pick up one or two items and leave instead with four bags full of stuff. Sometimes a sale is just too good to pass up. That’s why consumers often look for the best credit cards for shopping. And while 90% of retail shopping in the U.S. still takes place in brick-and-mortar stores, experts forcast that online shopping will account for 20% of all sales by the year 2025. That means having... read more »

5 Wise Ways Couples Can Use Credit Cards When Planning a Wedding

By: Andrea Woroch, 7/25/2019

When you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and you’re ready for that long-term commitment, the next step is usually marriage. Celebrating this big moment is always better with your close friends and family, but planning a wedding that can accommodate everyone can quickly become overwhelming and stressful thanks to the pricey fees imposed by venues and service providers. From food and drinks to decorations and music, and, of course, the dress, wedding... read more »

Purchases You Shouldn’t Make with a Credit Card

By: John Ulzheimer, 6/3/2019

Credit cards are a smart way to pay for your purchases. They are convenient, safe, and many can pack a large amount of buying power. When you are using your credit card to pay for pretty much anything, you can enjoy some great fraud protections that can help to keep your money safe from crooks and scam artists. Believe it or not, credit cards may help you save money -- if you use them wisely -- since many of them offer attractive perks. With some credit cards, the use of the account... read more »

How Credit Cards Can Impact Your FICO® Scores

By: John Ulzheimer, 4/25/2019

It goes without saying (or writing) that your credit scores are a big deal. They are especially so when you want to apply for a new loan, credit card, or some other service that uses credit scores as part of its underwriting process. And while there are two primarily utilized scoring platforms, FICO and VantageScore, FICO is still the most commonly used credit score by most lenders. What you may not understand is exactly how FICO and other scoring models get to that three-digit... read more »

Adopt These 7 Credit Card Habits to Stay Out of Debt

By: Andrea Woroch, 4/24/2019

The average credit card debt per U.S. household hovers over $8,000. Although this number is shocking, it doesn’t mean you should cut up your cards and banish them from your life altogether. In fact, when used wisely, credit cards can actually improve your financial health. From increasing your credit score to offsetting everyday costs and travel expenses, and providing additional protection for big-ticket purchases, credit cards can be valuable tools toward managing your money... read more »

2 Ways to Reduce Your Credit Card Interest Rate

By: John Ulzheimer, 3/13/2019

If no one has told you -- and you've yet to discover it for yourself -- credit card debt can be expensive. And, the longer you carry that debt, the more expensive it can get. For example, on a card with a typical 17% annual percentage rate (or APR), a $500 purchase could cost you almost $100 extra in interest fees — and could take nearly two years to pay off — if you only make the minimum payment. That means the great suit that was on sale for $500 could actually cost you $600... read more »

11 Lesser-Known Credit Card Perks & How to Use Them

By: Erica Sandberg, 3/1/2019

You know that the credit card in your wallet helps you make purchases safely and conveniently, but there are other advantages it could have. In fact, many credit card issuers have created an entire menu filled with various perks for its customers. While not all will be relevant to your lifestyle, odds are at least a few of these little-known benefits will work to your financial advantage. In the articles that follows, we'll take a look at some of those lesser-known credit card perks... read more »

12 Best Medical Credit Cards of 2020

By: Ashley Dull, 8/22/2018

A good plan is the key to success for many things in life, including your personal finances. But, no matter how excellent the plan, some things simply defy planning — like medical emergencies. And, while having a healthy emergency savings can be enough to buffer a few medical bills, a single trip to the emergency room can easily wipe out even the most robust savings account. While many medical offices offer financing through medical credit card accounts, a regular, open-loop... read more »

18 Best Gas Credit Cards for 2020

By: Brittney Mayer, 7/25/2018

A typical internal combustion engine operates thanks to a reaction between fuel and oxygen that causes hot gases to expand within the cylinders. Those gases drive the engine's pistons, generating work, which — along with other key components — powers your vehicle. In other words? Without fuel, the engine doesn't work. And without a working engine, your car isn't going anywhere. So, if you have an internal combustion engine in your car, you need gas. And gasoline isn't cheap.... read more »

How Many Credit Cards Should I Have for Good Credit?

By: Brittney Mayer, 7/20/2018

"How many credit cards should I have for good credit?" It's a question I've asked myself when I was younger, and I suspect I'm not alone. If you're like the average American, you might have two credit cards in your wallet. If you're a rewards enthusiast, you may have more than 40 cards. And if you're a credit card collector, you could have over a thousand credit cards (and a custom wallet). But, what's the right number of credit cards? Better yet, consider it another way. Most... read more »

21 Best Credit-Building Credit Cards for 2020

By: Brittney Mayer, 6/11/2018

Identifying the best credit-building credit cards can be challenging with so many options available these days. Keep reading for our take on some of the best credit cards that can help you work your way to a healthy credit score. In today's world, having good credit is a bit like having a decent internet connection: while you can technically get by without it, it definitely makes many things a whole lot easier. Of course, building good credit takes a bit more work than phoning up... read more »

21 Best Vacation Credit Cards in 2020

By: Brittney Mayer, 5/25/2018

As one workday blends into the next, it can become hard not to feel sometimes as though your life has become a mediocre remake of the movie Groundhog Day — and you're Bill Murray. It's at this point that you know it's time to take a vacation. But whether you make a solo getaway or take the whole crew, vacations are budget busters at the best of times. That's where a little smart credit card use can come in remarkably handy. By using the right credit cards for your vacation... read more »

21 Best Credit Cards for Teachers in 2020

By: Brittney Mayer, 5/23/2018

If you're an educator, finding the best credit cards for teachers can help ease the up-front costs that are often necessary for a fully functioning -- and effective -- classroom. We'll take a look at some of these cards in the article below. Between classroom supplies, snacks, and professional development purchases, the average teacher spends as much as $1,000 of their own money each school year. For a new teacher, that could mean as much as 3% of your entire income spent on things... read more »

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