Credit Card Fundamentals

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• How to beat the 7 deadly credit card sins -- Consumers can insulate themselves from financial disaster by standing up to temptation -- as long as gluttony doesn't get in the way ... (more)
• Pros, cons of Canada's first virtual store -- This month, Toronto's Union Station will turn into a virtual mall. But will Canadians buy products by scanning codes displayed on wall posters? ... (more)
• How to build sustainable emergency savings -- Careful planning is the best defence against a personal financial crisis. Here's how to develop an emergency nest egg for when you need it most. ... (more)
• Top 3 credit cards' concierge services -- What exactly are credit card concierge services, and are they worth signing up for? We compared three of the best cards that come with concierge benefits. ... (more)
• 5 most common credit report errors -- Credit reports influence your ability to get a loan, credit card, apartment lease, and even a job. Here’s how to ensure your credit profile is in good order. ... (more)
• Credit card perk: Free roadside assistance -- Only a handful of Canadian credit cards offer free roadside assistance. But if you're ever stranded in your car, roadside assistance can be a life-saver. ... (more)
• Spring clean your credit card clutter -- The painful cost of credit card clutter can result in lost bills, late payment fees and nasty hits to your credit score. Don't ignore the problem--organize! ... (more)
• Editor's choice: Top U.S. dollar credit cards -- For Canucks who cross-border shop or buy online from U.S. retailers, you might want to consider applying for a U.S. dollar card for Canadian residents. ... (more)
• 5 fun online games that teach valuable money lessons -- Video games improve creativity, decision-making and perception. These five action-based game teach players of all ages to wisely manage money. ... (more)
• Expert Q&A: Can humour ease your credit card woes? -- While laughing won’t solve all your money problems, psychotherapist and cartoonist Allan Hirsh explains how humour can help you manage financial stress ... (more)
• Negative option billing: Little tricks cause big losses -- Pssst! Want to avoid rogue transactions on your credit card statements? CreditCards.ca uses a recent University of Alberta study to explain how to overcome negative option billing tricks and traps ... (more)
• Alison Griffiths' 5 money resolutions for 2012 -- Bestselling writer and TV host Alison Griffiths serves up a menu of financial resolutions and explains how you, too, can take control of your finances throughout the upcoming year ... (more)
• Can a higher credit score lower your insurance costs? -- A fierce debate is raging in Canada about whether auto and property insurers should be allowed to use credit scores to rate applicants. However, proponents argue most Canadians would benefit from credit-based insurance ratings ... (more)
• Credit card cliches: They're a dime a dozen -- These expressions may be trite, but some well-worn snippets contain lucrative lessons for consumers who want to squeeze the most value from their credit cards ... (more)
• Store credit cards: The good, the bad and the ugly -- Store credit cards offer some unique advantages, but are they worth their potentially high costs? Here's what you need to know to decide whether specialized retailer cards are right for your wallet ... (more)
• 7 myths about joint credit cards -- Just as relationships can be tricky, so can the proper use of joint credit cards. Here are seven common misunderstandings about joint credit cards, with tips on how to prevent individual financial pain ... (more)
• 6 scary credit card mistakes that can haunt your finances -- Make a slip -- such as a missed payment -- and your credit card debt can shoot up to nightmare heights. Here are six common mistakes that result in fright nights for cardholders who don't manage their credit cards wisely ... (more)
• Editor's Choice: The best balance transfer cards 2011 -- Using balance transfer credit cards wisely can eliminate years of high-interest debt repayment. If you're currently looking for a new card, here are our picks for the best balance transfer cards on the market ... (more)
• 6 tips for a successful balance transfer -- Balance transfer deals can be a valuable cost-saving tool for managing high-interest debt -- if you do them right. Here are six essential tips to ensure a positive balance transfer experience ... (more)
• Expert Q&A: How to spot a bad financial planner -- Finding a trustworthy financial planner can be a challenge. Tamara Smith from the Financial Planning Standards Council explains how to identify planners who do not have your best interests in mind ... (more)
• 6 common credit score mistakes -- Half-truths and misconceptions make finding reliable information on credit scores tricky. CreditCards.ca separates fact from fiction and highlights six common errors that can damage your credit rating ... (more)
• Expert Q&A: How to get debt under control -- How can Canadians take control of their finances when governments around the world can't seem to get it right? A certified financial planner shares invaluable advice on how to tackle out-of-control "bad debt." ... (more)
• 7 money lessons from "The Wealthy Barber Returns" -- Twenty-two years after "The Wealthy Barber" sold over 2 million copies, its amiable author is back with a sequel. Here are Dave Chilton's latest tips for keeping financially fit and resolving your most stressful money challenges ... (more)
• 8 risky credit card scenarios you should avoid -- It can be tempting to rely on plastic to get you out of a cash shortage or to fund an investment. However, it can also give you a painful financial headache. Here are 8 situations in which you should avoid using plastic ... (more)
• Editor's Choice: 7 free online budgeting tools -- Many consumers are struggling to balance their expenses with limited income. CreditCards.ca reviews seven free tools that help you achieve your budgeting goals more easily ... (more)
• 8 stress-busting tips for managing student debt -- The average $80,000 that a four-year university degree costs is weighing heavily on many students' minds these days. Here are some practical tips to help lessen the financial stress ... (more)
• The best Canadian credit card movie deals -- Has the prospect of a double-dip recession got you down? CreditCards.ca may have the perfect tonic for your blues -- some super movie discounts that will make you smile like Jim Carrey ... (more)
• Author Q&A: Debt and "The Happiness Equation" -- What makes Canadians happy? John Hallward, author of "The Happiness Equation," shares his research on happiness and explains how debt contributes to consumers' unhappiness ... (more)
• Cash refunds from credit card price protection -- We've all been there. Excited about buying a new bicycle for $700, your happiness turns into bitter disappointment when that same bike goes on sale for $300 the very next week. But there's a credit card perk that can help ... (more)
• New: Facebook credit card deals without coupons -- American Express recently introduced a social media app that presents cardholders with relevant offers based on their Facebook likes, interests and profile information. But will the coupon-less "killer app" catch on in Canada? ... (more)
• Is mobile banking on the bleeding edge? -- Smartphone technology enables Canadians to quickly do their banking wherever they are. However, when problems arise, outdated consumer protection laws cast the spotlight of responsibility directly on mobile banking users ... (more)
• 6 debt spiral traps that threaten Canadian households -- Many Canadian families unknowingly face debt spirals that accelerate with time. Here are the six root causes driving these devastating debt spirals -- plus practical tips on how to avoid being blindsided by them ... (more)
• Travel credit cards with free health insurance: A review -- Tired of paying health insurance premiums every time you go on a trip outside the Great White North? CreditCards.ca reviews four credit cards that come with free out-of-province emergency coverage ... (more)
• 4 true tales of Great White North loan sharks -- In Canada, loan sharks have engaged in scary and sometimes amusing real-life plots involving credit cards. Here are four true tales from across the country -- as well as four key credit lessons learned ... (more)
• Maximum gas savings start with the right credit card -- Planning a summer road trip? It's time to start thinking about how you're going to pay for that gas. CreditCards.ca looks at which credit cards offer the greatest gas rewards and presents practical tips on how to cope with inflated prices ... (more)
• Big cash savings from little-known credit card freebies -- Free coverage under your credit card's extended warranty protection and purchase security plans can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. CreditCards.ca shows you how ... (more)
• Report card on Canadian alumni credit cards -- It can be fun to advertise your alma mater on your credit card; but are these cards worth the higher APR? CreditCards.ca compares the most compelling benefits of Canadian alumni credit cards against standard card features ... (more)
• How to find a qualified financial planner -- Too many Canadians entrust their money to individuals who misrepresent themselves as qualified financial planners. CreditCards.ca reveals the right questions to ask when searching for a trustworthy adviser ... (more)
• Q&A: How to thrive after a financial crisis -- Patricia White shares her credit counselling expertise with CreditCards.ca and provides a 10-step roadmap for Canadians who want to rebuild their credit ratings and strengthen their debt management skills ... (more)
• How to cancel credit cards after a loved one passes away -- Deactivating and cancelling the credit cards of a deceased loved one prevents post-mortem identity theft and stops annual account fees. Here, step by step, is what you need to do ... (more)
• Q&A: Credit card tips from author Jonathan Chevreau -- CreditCards.ca talks to one of Canada's most popular personal finance writers, Jonathan Chevreau, author of "Findependence Day," and asks him for the best lessons he's learned about wise credit card use ... (more)
• 3 scary 'bad credit' options you should avoid -- It's tough out there for consumers with bad credit. But there's hope -- as long as you know how to avoid the traps. CreditCards.ca investigates three of the most frightening financing offers that often trap consumers ... (more)
• Are you engaging in wishful thinking about debt? -- If so, you're not alone. Most Canadians say that eliminating debt is a top priority. But talk is cheap -- and many younger Canadians are finding that they're far too optimistic about their ability to pay back money borrowed ... (more)
• How to shop for the lowest credit card fees -- Before deciding on the card that's right for you, one of the most profitable investments of your time is to carefully compare different credit card fees. Here are 9 fees that you should watch for when shopping around ... (more)
• 7 credit score ringtone songs for your mobile phone -- Looking for a new ringtone? Depending on your credit score, one of these songs may be perfect for you. CreditCards.ca takes a look at Canadian credit score ratings and presents a ring tone song idea for each credit score category ... (more)
• How to avoid costly online auction traps -- Online auction sites, such as eBay, are exploding in popularity across the web; but using them comes with significant risks. CreditCards.ca reveals 5 dangerous frauds that can cause steep losses on these sites ... (more)
• How to claim old bank account money -- Did you know that the Bank of Canada hosts a free online search engine for unclaimed bank account balances? It's true. CreditCards.ca shows you how to quickly search online for forgotten money ... (more)
• 5 tricks fake loan companies use to steal money -- If you're considering a "no credit check" loan, here's a wake-up call for you: Don't do it. CreditCards.ca takes a look at five warning signals for fraudulent loans -- plus a safer option for financially stressed consumers ... (more)
• The top 5 complaints against credit card balance insurance -- Armed with the latest watchdog statistics, CreditCards.ca has the scoop on the credit card insurance hassles that irk Canadians the most -- and how you can fight back ... (more)
• How to search online for unclaimed money -- Millions of dollars in bankruptcy cash are waiting to be recovered on Canada's special government website for unclaimed funds. CreditCards.ca shows you how to search the database and make an eligible claim ... (more)
• 5 ways to turn your credit card into a savings card -- It's time to change your attitude from "Spend now, Pay later" to "Pay now, Save later," say experts. Here are five practical ways to maximize savings with your credit card ... (more)
• The top 10 reasons why Canadians go bankrupt -- CreditCards.ca takes a look at the primary causes of Canadian consumer bankruptcies and shares key insights on how to avoid severe financial stress ... (more)
• How to obtain, correct and monitor your free credit reports -- Want to know your credit score, but don't know where to start? CreditCards.ca has the answer, along with key tips on how to protect your credit bureau ratings with free credit reports, update requests and fraud alerts ... (more)
• Is credit card balance insurance a smart buy? -- Proponents of credit card balance insurance say it's an important tool to protect you from unforeseen events; but critics say it's a waste of money. CreditCards.ca investigates whether the monthly premiums charged to your account are worth it ... (more)
• Top 10 most amazing credit card videos on YouTube -- From money magic to the worst credit card offer ever, these amazing videos tell some intriguing financial stories -- and highlight the risks and benefits of owning a credit card ... (more)
• Beware of Canadian bank-issued gift card fees -- Watch out: Bank-issued gift cards can come loaded with an astonishing number of fees. CreditCards.ca helps you do the math, sort through the fees and avoid unnecessary charges ... (more)
• Can Canada Credit Fix repair your credit score? -- They bill themselves as the nation's number one credit repair agency -- and they flood the Web with viral videos and social media campaigns. But do their services hold up to the hype? CreditCards.ca helps you distinguish the facts from the sales pitches ... (more)
• How to stand up to collection agency bullies -- Missed bill payments are on the rise across Canada and so are complaints against abusive debt collectors. Paid on commission, bill collectors have the right to be persistent. But some can cross the line -- using illegal scare tactics to drum up payments. ... (more)
• Top 10 most outrageous credit card song lyrics -- Here are 10 classic songs that use credit card lyrics to get across some outrageous storylines, messages and emotions ... (more)
• Your credit card "money rights" in plain language -- A fresh set of regulations on credit card issuers took effect last fall. But not all consumers are aware that these powerful new rules could help them save money ... (more)
• Protect yourself from these 5 common credit card scams -- Fighting credit card crime starts with a clear understanding of the different types of charge-card fraud. Protect yourself by learning how you can be scammed -- and how you can prevent it. ... (more)
• Experts to Generation Y: Save with your credit card -- If you're struggling on a limited income, but you want to pay off your debt and save at least something for the future, what should you do? The secret could be in your wallet -- as long as you're smart about you use it ... (more)