Credit Card Usage | Credit Card Topics

15 Best Credit Cards for Small Purchases in 2019

By: Brittney Mayer, 5/20/2019

While chasing signup bonuses and big rewards are tried-and-true strategies for scoring headline-worthy redemptions, most of us rely on the small, everyday purchases to accrue our piles of points and miles. Thankfully, with one of the best credit cards for small purchases in your wallet, that accrual doesn't have to be slow. Maximizing rewards on your small purchases — as with any type of purchase — will often mean choosing a card that offers bonus rewards for your common... 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. 1. Extended Warranty Protection If you buy something with a warranty and then the item breaks... read more »

12 Best Medical Credit Cards of 2019

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 2019

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

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 of us know by now that credit cards can impact your credit score, influencing whether you qualify for loans and other new credit. So,... read more »

21 Best Credit-Building Credit Cards for 2019

By: Brittney Mayer, 6/11/2018

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 the cable company and asking for a bandwidth upgrade. Merely establishing enough credit to get a credit score requires six months, and reaching the top credit tiers can take years. But — you have to start somewhere. For many... read more »

21 Best Vacation Credit Cards in 2019

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 »

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