DontSpendMore.com Blog

Author: dontspendmore

  • Methodical Ways To Save Money

    By John

    At some stage in their lives, most people think they ought to be saving money. In challenging times like the present, more and more individuals are probably resolving to do so but have no clear idea how to go about it. It is not actually too difficult to save money if you go about it in a planned, methodical way and are aware of the different ways to save money.

    Click here to compare multiple offers and save hundreds of dollars on credit cards, cell phone, phone plans, Internet access, mortgages, and so much more. Free comparison tools.

    So you want to save money — what For?

    You must establish the reason for wanting to save money. Is it because you are finding it hard to make ends meet, or because you want to improve your quality of life in some way, or because you want to take the family on a special vacation, or buy a new car or house, or because you want to set the ground for a secure financial future? No matter what the reason, once you have identified it clearly you have a goal and can plan how to achieve it.

    How to reach your goal?

    When planning how to reach your goal you need to establish three things:

    1. The time-frame – when do you want to reach your goal?
    2. Income – now, and in the foreseeable future.
    3. Expenditure – especially fixed items, now and in the foreseeable future.

    Now it is a matter of juggling the sums: You know how much you want or need to save, how much time you have to save it in, and how much you can expect to receive and spend within that time-frame. Since income and fixed-item expenditures are pretty much finite, you will probably have to adjust the time-frame so that you have a realistic chance of meeting it by making savings from your disposable income.

    You now know how much you want or need to save, over how long a period. You next need to identify the areas in which you can make savings.

    More ways to save money

    Where to make savings?

    Depending on your circumstances and the amount of money you want or need to save, you may have to consider options like moving to a smaller house or down-sizing your car, or selling one if you have two, or getting rid of your boat. For many people, however, it is more likely to come down to a reduction in annual and monthly expenditure.

    Annual expenditure could be things like gym and golf club memberships, and insurance premiums. You may have to make some hard decisions about what to give up or downgrade, which will depend on how serious you are about saving money.

    A reduction in monthly expenditure is not hard to achieve, if you approach it in a methodical manner. You already know how much you intend to save, according to your plan. One smart idea is to separate that amount from your paycheck as soon as you get it — some employers may help you do this — and keep it somewhere safe. An interest-bearing savings account is the obvious choice and would bring additional benefits, such as making your money work for you.

    Slicing the pie

    Monthly expenditure typically falls under these categories:

    • Household
    • Utilities
    • Transportation
    • Food
    • Groceries
    • Clothing
    • Entertainment/lifestyle

    There are innumerable ways to save money — some big, some small — in each of these categories. Most of them involve some online research to get the best deals, some comparison-shopping, and a conscientious effort to use less and waste less. You should keep a detailed record of what you spend – there are many smartphone apps that can do this for you – in order to ensure that your budget remains on track.

    A sound planning process and sticking to the budget you have set are essential to achieve your goal of saving money.

    Click here to compare multiple offers and save hundreds of dollars on credit cards, cell phone, phone plans, Internet access, mortgages, and so much more. Free comparison tools.

  • Can You Get A Money Order With A Credit Card?

    By Rick

    Even though you can use a credit card for almost any purchase these days, there may still be times where you need to send a Money Order to someone. The question ”Can you get a Money Order with a credit card?” is a common one and actually has several parts to the answer. In many cases you can actually use a credit card in place of a Money Order for paying a bill or settling a debt but if you really need to purchase a Money Order using a credit card there are a few things you’ll need to know.

    Click here to compare 0% APR credit card offers. Find a low APR offer and save money by transferring your existing balances.

    Money Order = Cash Advance

    Many credit card companies allow you to use a credit card to purchase a Money Order but treat the purchase as a cash advance. This is important because it usually involves a much higher interest rate than a normal purchase. Most cards actually carry two different interest rates, one for purchases and one for a cash advance when you use the card at a bank or an ATM. This cash advance rate is usually much higher than your normal rate and can really add a lot of cost when using the card this way. You’ll also need to understand how your monthly payments are applied to the different balances you carry. Some cards will pay the higher rate balances first and others divide the payment between these different charges. In either case, it’s always a good idea to limit your use of a credit card to purchase Money Orders whenever possible.

    Some cards forbid It

    Even though most lenders don’t object to you using their card for purchasing a Money Order, some specifically forbid it in their user agreement. A quick call to your credit card’s customer service line should help you avoid any confusion. They will typically be able to answer the question “can you get a money order with a credit card”. You’ll need to be aware of this to avoid embarrassment later on. In most cases these cards will simply decline the charge when you attempt to purchase the Money Order. Others will approve the charge and may later reduce your credit limit or close the card completely for violation of the agreement. This can have some serious consequences for your credit rating and should be avoided at all costs.

    Rules can vary with money order vendors

    Answering the question “can you get a Money Order with a credit card” has a second element. The other thing you need to find is a merchant that is willing to let you pay for the Money Order with a credit card. The fact that the credit card company is fine with you using the card is only the first part of the equation; you also need a willing merchant. Some stores that sell Money Orders only allow you to pay for them with cash or a check.

    The reason they avoid the credit card payment is that they are only making a slight profit on issuing the Money Order that may easily be wiped out by the charges they pay to the credit card company for accepting the card as payment. In extreme cases where you need to make the Money Order purchase, you can always go the safer (and more expensive) route of doing a traditional cash advance at an ATM and using that cash to buy the Money Order. This will be the more expensive option but is sure to work every time.

    Click here to compare 0% APR credit card offers. Find a low APR offer and save money by transferring your existing balances.

  • At What Age Can You Get a Credit Card?

    By Rick

    As younger members of the family start to mature and venture out on their own, the question of their first credit card inevitably comes up. Having a card will give them the convenience of being able to shop without having mom and dad along. It’s also a rite of passage in a credit sense and another important step on the road to adulthood. For parents and teenagers alike the question of “at what age can you get a credit card?” always comes up. The answer is a little complicated and presents several options for parents hoping to help their kids establish a good credit history.

    Click here to compare credit card offers, including 0% APR offers for a wide range of individuals

    Eighteen (18) is a critical age for many reasons

    The simple answer is that anyone hoping to secure a credit card on their own needs to be at least 18 years old to apply. The reason for this is that any younger than this prevents them from entering into a contract legally, making it impossible for a lender to enforce the terms of the credit card. Because of this, even if a person younger than 18 wants to secure a card and has their parents consent, no bank or other lender will issue credit directly to the minor.

    Recent changes to the credit card laws have made it tougher for people under twenty-one (21) to now be issued a card. These protections stemmed from the practice of targeting students in years past that would run into trouble over time with new cards. The new legislation requires anyone under the age of 21 to prove they have an independent income and are able to repay any charges on the card. If the applicant doesn’t have a job at the time of application this law requires them to have an adult co-signer for the card that has the income to repay the charges.

    Other options for younger consumers

    Even with these tougher regulations, there are other ways for a younger person to tackle the credit card question with the help of an adult. With a willing parent the question “at what age can you get a credit card” becomes a little more flexible. For example, many credit card companies allow a cardholder to add others to their account. A parent could request an additional card in either their name or their children’s name that allows them to use the card. They would have their own PIN for purchases that would show up each month on the primary cardholder’s statement. This is a great idea as an emergency card for younger people to have in case of emergency.

    Consider a secure card

    One final option is a secured card. This type of credit card requires the cardholder to deposit funds into an account that the card is used to spend. From the merchants perspective the card acts just like a normal credit card and the spending limit is governed by the available balance in your account. In most cases this type of card can be easily secured by anyone 18 and older that can make a minimum deposit against the card. This is not only a good way to get started with credit cards; it also helps you establish a credit history you can use to apply for a more standard card in time.

    Click here to compare credit card offers, including 0% APR offers for a wide range of individuals

  • My Credit Card Offers

    By Rick

    A credit card used to be a nice thing to have but in recent years has become essential. Without a credit card it’s nearly impossible to rent a car, spend a night at a nice hotel or shop online for everyday necessities. Even though you can navigate around these restrictions with a lot of clever financial aerobics, having a credit card just makes it easier.

    Even if you simply use the card to make these purchases and pay off the balance immediately, the fact that these retailers know you have credit allows you to do all these things much easier. Choosing the perfect credit card for your needs takes a little work and many people wonder “which of my credit card offers is the best for me?”

    Click here to compare 0% credit card offers. We have compiled a list of hundreds of credit card offers for you to compare and select from.

    Watch the interest rate

    When comparing cards there are few key things you’ll want to take into consideration. The thing that should be at the top of your list is the interest rate on the card. Even though you normally use the card responsibly and intend to pay off your balance each month when the bill arrives, there may be months you’ll want to only make the minimum payment required. In this case the balance you leave on the card will incur an interest charge, which can be substantial. Comparing the interest rates between cards is the first step in deciding “which of my credit card offers is best”.

    Know your limits

    The next thing that most people compare is the amount of credit available to you on the card. This credit limit may determine how useful the card is for doing the things you want to do. If you have a small limit on the card you may not be able to use it on a longer vacation to cover the accommodations you need for your family. Even though most credit card companies will normally increase this limit over time, when deciding on “which of my credit card offers is best”, you’ll want to compare the initial limit on the various cards. Most credit card offers will give you a minimum you can expect to receive if approved for the card.

    Points, points and more points

    Most cards these days have some type of rewards program tied to your use of the card. Some of these grant you reward miles on airlines or hotels and others offer you cash back every month based on your spending with the card. All other factors being equal, you’ll want to choose a card with the rewards program that best fits your lifestyle. If you do a lot of traveling, find a card that provides a discount on car rentals or hotel rooms. If you don’t leave home often, a card that offers discounts with certain merchants every month might suit you better. The key is to do the comparison between cards. Even though this shouldn’t be a major factor in your decision, it does affect how useful the card is for you and needs to be taken into consideration.

    The key in answering the question of “which of my credit card offers is the best” is comparing all these factors between any cards you’re considering. When you list the thing most important to you, the choice will be clear and you’ll be on your way to enjoying your new credit card.

    Click here to compare 0% credit card offers. We have compiled a list of hundreds of credit card offers for you to compare and select from.

  • How Do I Get Credit Card? A Primer

    By Rick

    Credit is a big part of modern life and sooner or later everyone asks the question, “how do I get a credit card?”. Typically this happens when someone reaches the age of a young adult, heads off to college and needs to be able to make purchases. Even though this seems like a simple question to answer, it can be tricky depending on your credit history. Your FICO score is the way a bank or credit card company rates you financially and the higher your score, the easier it is for you to secure a credit card and typically the more favorable the rates. The lower your score, the more difficult it will be for you to be approved. If you have a very limited credit history, finding a company that is willing to issue you a credit card can take a little more work.

    Click here to compare credit card offers and apply online. 0% APR, 5% Cashback, No Annual Fee.

    Watch your mail for offers

    As you slowly begin to establish your credit history many credit card companies will start to send you offers for various cards they are willing to provide. This is a simple and easy answer to the question “how do I get a credit card?”. These offers have typically been prequalified, which means you have a very good chance of being issued a credit card if you apply through one of these offers. This prequalification is a very simple check of your credit worthiness. Once you apply, the credit card company will do a more thorough credit check to decide if they actually want to issue the card. This second check will also determine the interest rate they’ll charge you on the card as well as the limit of credit extended on the card. While these limits may change over time, your initial application and the results of your credit check will determine your rates.

    When these offers start appearing, it’s always a good idea to note the expiration date of the offer in case you have an interest the offer. Always try to wait for a bit before applying. This not only gives you a chance to compare it to other offers that may follow from other lenders, it also won’t make it appear that you’re desperate for credit by applying immediately. Some credit card companies actually track the time between the arrival of the offer and your application date and use this as part of their qualification criteria. Applying too soon might make you seem desperate and may affect your interest rate and credit limit.

    Check with your bank

    Another great answer to the question of “How Do I Get a Credit Card” may very well be the bank you use for your checking and savings account. The relationship you have with this bank can go a long way in helping you qualify for a card. Most banks are looking to expand their relationship with their customers and are more liberal in issuing cards to people that already bank with them. If you are in the market for a credit card, check with the local branch you use for your normal banking to see if they are willing to work with you. Many of these banks even have special programs available for existing customers and are willing to provide credit cards at reduced interest rates. These can be a great way for them to expand their banking relationship with you and for you to find the perfect credit card for your needs.

    Click here to compare credit card offers and apply online. 0% APR, 5% Cashback, No Annual Fee.

  • How Do I Get A Credit Card With No Credit?

    By Rick

    Securing your first card is an important step in building your credit history but can also be a bit of a challenge. The question of how do I get a credit card with no credit is a common one that has a few different answers. Finding a company that will issue you a card, even if you have a limited credit history takes a little work that will be well worth the effort.

    Are you looking for 0% APR credit card offers? If so, we have a number of credit cards with 0% APR, 5% Cashback, and several months zero interest promotions. Click here to compare.

    Student cards are a great place to start

    Credit card companies will go out of their way to issue credit to students as they consider them a good credit risk. These student programs understand that most students have a very limited credit history and qualification requirements for one of these cards is typically lower than a standard card. Some of these cards will be co-branded with the school the student is attending and may even come with specific discount programs for using the card on campus. A student card is a great way to help someone asking “how do I get a credit card with no credit?”. If you do decide to apply for one of these student card offers, be sure to clearly understand the interest rate and ask about any annual fee on the card. Sometimes the credit card company will try to offset their risk of issuing the card with a higher interest rate or substantial yearly fee on the card. While you might still be OK with both of these, you’ll want to know what you’re applying for when considering a student card.

    Consider store cards and gas cards

    Most large retailers and gas companies offer company branded credit cards that can be used in their locations. While these types of cards don’t offer the flexibility of a normal credit card, they are a great way to build up a solid credit history that over time can help you qualify for a standard credit card. This type of card is typically much easier to quality for as well and might only require you to have a mailing address and proof of employment. Once you secure a card like this, try to use it often and strive to pay off the balance in full each month to help bolster your credit rating. Doing this for as little as 6 months can help you establish enough of a credit rating to secure a standard credit card with many companies.

    Secured cards are another option

    A secured card is a great option when trying to answer the question “how do I get a credit card with no credit?” These secure cards are fairly easy to obtain but will require you to maintain a balance of available cash to use the card. While they are not technically a credit card in the truest sense, they do help you to establish a credit history on your way to securing a conventional credit card. Some of these companies will even start to allow you to use the cards for purchases beyond what you have on deposit and slowly transform them into a credit card over time. This is a great way to ease into a standard credit card and allows you to develop the critical habit of managing your credit responsibly.

    Are you looking for 0% APR credit card offers? If so, we have a number of credit cards with 0% APR, 5% Cashback, and several months zero interest promotions. Click here to compare.

  • How Do You Get a Credit Card?

    By Rick

    A credit card is a powerful financial tool that if used properly can help you manage your finances. It gives you the flexibility of purchasing goods when you need them and spreading the payments out over several months. It also allows you to avoid carrying cash with you everywhere to make your purchases. Many people new to the credit scene will ask “how do you get a credit card?” and the answer is simpler than you might have guessed.

    Click here to compare credit card offers, including 0% APR, no annual fee offers

    Maintain a good credit history

    The first thing that credit card companies consider when deciding on whether to issue you a card is your past credit history. They want to know that if they extend you credit through the card that you’ll be able to make your payments on time each month. How you have managed your credit in the past is a good indication of what type of risk you present for future credit. Having a history of borrowing money for a car, home or student loan that you paid on time every month will go a long way towards helping you secure a credit card. In fact the better your score, the lower the interest rate most cards charge you on your purchases.

    Choose the right card to apply for

    When you finally decide to apply for a credit card, make sure you do your homework and find a card that is right for your needs. This second step goes a long way toward answering the question “how do you get a credit card?”. There is a wide universe of difference between various credit cards and you’ll need to do some detailed comparisons between them to make sure you get the best deal. You’ll want to compare things like interest rate, annual fee, credit line and bonus points program to ensure you get the best value from your new card. Take your time when shopping for a card as you’ll want to try to submit as few applications as possible to maintain your great credit history.

    Other Options for Less Than Perfect Credit

    People with credit challenges also ask the “how do you get a credit card?” question and there are a few ways to accomplish this. Some credit card companies will still consider people with a few blemishes on their credit history but may charge them a higher interest or grant them a lower credit limit on the card initially. If you make your payments on time, the company may be willing to lower the interest rate and raise your limit.

    If your credit is still too low to qualify for a standard card, you can always apply for a secure credit card. This type of card requires you to keep a certain amount of money on deposit in an account linked to the credit card. As you make your purchases, the charge is deducted from this account to pay the bill. This is not as flexible an option as a standard card but does give you a way to improve your credit history over time by managing this card responsibly

    One final option that answers the question of “how do you get a credit card” is by enlisting the help of a co-signer. This second person basically assumes any debt you incur with the card and pledges to make the payments for you. This gives the credit card company the security in knowing that at least two people are responsible for any charges on the card.

    Click here to compare credit card offers, including 0% APR, no annual fee offers

  • Credit Card Applications For No Credit: Three Things You Should Look For

    By Rick

    Applying for your first credit card can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have not established a credit history. Even though you can find a company that will issue you a card, there are several important things you’ll want to know before completing your credit card applications for no credit that can improve your chances of being approved.

    Click here to review credit card applications for no credit. Compare offers and save hundreds.

    Basic rules of engagement

    Before you start filling out a number of applications hoping to find credit with one of the many companies advertising credit card applications for no credit, take a minute to compare them. It’s never a good idea to apply for a large number of cards at the same time. Each of these companies will run a credit check on you and the others will see that you are flooding the market with applications. They may consider this as a red flag and could deny you simply because of the large number of inquiries. It’s always better to do a little homework first and find a company or a few that offer a card with a low interest rate, no annual fee and a fair credit limit and apply for those first. This way if you are denied, you can work your way down the list to other less attractive card offers.

    By approaching the credit card applications for no credit in a responsible way you stand a much better chance of being approved.

    Check for annual fees

    Some of the companies willing to issue credit to customers with a limited credit history cover their risk by charging a fee each year, just to issue the card. While this might seem like a reasonable tradeoff for receiving your first card, you are essentially paying a tax just for the privilege of having the card. Even if you are OK with paying this fee, be sure you understand this cost. Some cards will actually waive this fee for a period time and then add it to your monthly statement when it comes due. This can be a frustrating surprise to see appear on your bill a few months after you receive your new card so be sure you clearly understand the fee structure of any card you are considering.

    Know your interest rate

    Interest rate is another thing that you’ll need to completely understand before apply for a particular card. This should be clearly outlined in the credit card applications for no credit you’ll use to apply for the card but can be a little confusing. Some cards will charge you a standard rate on every purchase and others will charge a different rate for purchases and cash advances. Knowing this up front before applying for the card is critical in responsibly managing your credit. Another confusing point with some cards offers is the grace period they offer for new cards. During this limited time they may charge you a lower interest or even zero interest on any purchases made with the card. While this may seem like a great deal, you’ll want to be sure to pay off your balance before this grace period ends or the remaining balance will be charged against the actual interest rate of the card.

    Click here to review credit card applications for no credit. Compare offers and save hundreds.

  • How To Get a Credit Card With No Credit, Zero History

    By Rick

    Credit cards have become a way of life that you need to do the most basic of things like renting a car or reserving a hotel room. The challenge for many people without a credit history is securing their first card so they can establish themselves as credit-worthy for other cards. If you want to know how to get a credit card with no credit, there are few things you’ll need to know about the way credit cards are issued.

    Click here to compare credit card offers, including cards for no credit

    No Credit = Bad Credit

    The challenge for most card issuers is that the lack of a credit history is an unknown that they are not normally willing to gamble on in today’s economy. As strange as it sounds, a person with bad credit is a better risk than a blank credit slate to these banks. The first thing you’ll need to do when trying to get a card is establish any credit history you can to start building a credit file. Understanding how to get a credit card with no credit begins with applying for easy credit wherever you can find it.

    Store Credit Cards Are a Great Place to Start

    Most larger department and home improvement stores offer their own credit cards that can be used to buy things they sell. These credit cards are somewhat limited since they need to be used in the store that issued them but do provide a way for you to start establishing your credit history. These cards are also easier to qualify for than a traditional credit card and if you have a steady job and a mailing address you can usually qualify for a store card. The credit limits on these cards might initially be very low but you’re only applying for the card to build a credit history you can use to qualify for more traditional cards later. Once you have been issued one of these cards, use it often and be sure to pay off the credit balance each month in full if possible.

    Travel Related Cards Are another Option

    Most airlines and hotel chains offer their own branded cards and tend to be more liberal in their qualifications. They hope that by issuing you their card and rewarding you with bonus points with their brand for using the card they will instill a sense of loyalty with their company. When trying to figure out how to get a credit card with no credit, these cards are a great place to try. Most of these companies run promotions at certain times of the year and will qualify almost anyone during this period. Look for these promotions on their website and the next time you’re in the airport.

    Apply For At Least One Secured Card

    One last place to consider when searching for answers on how to get a credit card with no credit are the secured cards issued by many banks and traditional credit card companies. These cards are technically debit cards since they require you to have a balance of funds on deposit for any purchases you make but can still help to build your credit history. Obtaining one of these cards is easy since every purchase you make is backed by your own money and presents little risk to the lender of default. Using this secured card for a few months will start to expand your credit history file and eventually allow you to apply for a more traditional card. So the next time you’re wondering how to get a credit card with no credit, give any of these suggestions a try and you should be well on your way to finding the credit you need.

    Click here to compare credit card offers, including cards for no credit

  • Do You Need A Job To Get A Credit Card?

    By Rick

    People entering the credit scene for the first time often wonder “do you need a job to get a credit card?” and the simple answer is that being employed makes it easier. There are a few ways to secure a credit card without a job but the card you’ll receive may come with a few conditions. Most lenders need to know you have the ability to pay back any credit they issue you though the card and if you can’t prove that you have a steady income, it may be enough for them to deny you a card. Even still, there are a few things you can do to secure a credit card without having a job.

    Click here to compare 0% APR credit card offers, including credit cards for those with and without a job. Free comparison tools and reviews.

    Check with your bank first

    Your local bank is a great place to answer the question “do you need a job to get a credit card?” If you have been banking with them regularly and have a checking or savings account, this history may be enough for them to offer you a credit card with a small limit. Banks are always looking for ways to expand their relationship with their customers and it’s an easy question to ask when you start your search for a card. Be sure to take the time to visit the local branch you use for your normal banking and sit down with a customer service representative to have the conversation. You might think a phone call is easier but taking the time and effort to actually visit the branch will improve your chances of securing a card.

    Find a co-signer for the card

    If you have been denied credit for not having full time employment, many lenders will issue you a card as long as you have someone else co-sign for the account. This is a big favor to ask someone since they will be jointly responsible for any debt you incur with the card. This should be someone you trust and know well since they are essentially providing a backup source of income for your card. In many cases this is how people new to the credit pool apply for a card and allows them to establish credit by using the card over time to apply to build a credit history. You can make this a temporary arrangement as well and cancel the card once you’ve established your credit history enough to qualify on your own. In fact, it’s always a good idea to come to an agreement with your co-signer about how long you’ll keep the card before actually applying. This way you both clearly understand the arrangement to avoid problems later on.

    Consider a secure card

    One final option for people looking for an answer to the question “do you need a job to get a credit card?” is a secured card. This type of credit card allows you to use it like a regular card but also requires you to deposit money into an account to cover any of the charges you make with the card. It operates very similar to a debit card but is accepted by merchants as if it were a credit card. Even though you technically don’t have any credit extended to you with this type of card, using it regularly will help you establish a credit history that you’ll need to have to apply for other more conventional cards in the future.

    Click here to compare 0% APR credit card offers, including credit cards for those with and without a job. Free comparison tools and reviews.