Personal Finance Buzz

A few tips about using a credit card for overseas spending, saving yourself the hassles of trying to get the best currency exchange rates.

Make your overseas travel rock without hitches in using your credit card. Here are some practical tips on how to make your credit card work for you during this much awaited event in your life.

Having a credit card is something that many people simply take for granted as a necessity. However, a credit card can in reality cost you more than the convenience could ever be worth when you consider the interest charges, annual fees and transactions costs associated with owning and using a credit card. If you’re still not convinced, consider the benefits and drawbacks of owning a credit card, and consider the alternatives to this most expensive of all ‘must-haves’.

When choosing a credit card, you want to make sure that you are getting the best credit card for your needs. Because personal finance is so personal, it is important that you consider your own individual needs when choosing a credit card. You will want to consider the credit limit, of course. But there are other considerations that should matter as you choose a credit card. You can pick a credit card that is likely to work for you: As you compare the credit card possibilities, keep the following things in mind.

Family vacations are memory makers. Make checking your credit card part of your travel preparations to ensure you are well funded and secure as you make those memories that will hopefully last forever.

Credit card transaction fees cost everyone. We know this. But credit card fees cost even more than you thought. On top of paying fees in their lives as consumers, Canadian taxpayers are paying more credit card fees through costs to the government.

If you look at the interest rate on your credit card or the amount of your monthly repayments, on their own these figures don’t seem to be such a commitment. However, when you look at all the costs associated over a year, you will be suprised

The Credit CARD Act requires credit card issuers to disclose on your monthly statement how much it will cost, and how long it will take, to pay off your credit card balance if you just make minimum payments. It’s a provision that has been applauded by consumer educators, myself included. But all is not as it seems here, and consumers who take what their statements say at face value may find themselves still stuck on the proverbial treadmill, paying faithfully each month but not getting out of debt for a very long time.