Finance Globe

U.S. financial and economic topics from several finance writers.

Mary Tomkins is a freelance writer located in Spartanburg, SC, with emphasis on economic news and research on the financial industry.

Looking for a Credit Limit Increase?

Is there something you'd like to do with your credit card, but are held back by the credit limit? Do you have a wallet full of low-limit credit cards, complicating your shopping and bill-payments? Would you like to transfer your balances, but don't have a card with a limit high enough to make it worthwhile? Are you in the market for a high-dollar item, and want to earn rewards on the entire purchase?A credit limit increase...
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The Student's Guide to Credit Card Use

College is an eye-opening world for many students. While your biggest expense is directly tied to tuition, books, and room and board, you will, no doubt, have quite a few expenses that may not have been figured into the higher education budget. Electronics and gadgets, fashion, parties, and spring break trips will require additional funding. How can you pay for all these extras that are a normal part of college life? Card issuers have the answer...
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The Balance Transferring Act

The credit card balance transfer is popular with credit card users.The balance transfer can offer interest-rate savings on credit card debt. A balance transfer simply means moving debt from one or several credit card accounts to a low or no-interest credit card account. These super-low teaser rates will last for about six months to a year, on average, with most card issuers. A cardholder may be offered a low-interest balance transfer rate by one of their...
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Good Uses for a 0% Introductory Rate Credit Card

Who can resist the offer for an interest-free loan? If you are offered a new credit card with a zero-interest introductory period, it's a good thing to take advantage of.The introductory period on most credit cards can last anywhere from 6 months to a year, or more. When the promotional period ends, the credit card's APR will go up; you should know what that rate will become to avoid any surprises.It's important to read all the...
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The Danger of a 0% Introductory Rate Credit Card

A 0% interest credit card can be a valuable money-saver if you play your cards right. The key is not to fall into the trap that credit card issuers have set for you. Used wisely, a generous introductory period can buy you time to pay off debts, keep your money working for you longer, or allow you to finance a major purchase interest-free. But used carelessly, a new credit card with a super-low teaser rate can...
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Protect Yoursef from Identity Theft

Your identity, it's who you are. It's your name, your date of birth, your Social Security number. You are the only one with that individual set of personal identifying information. Unfortunately, there are crooks out there who want to become you, at least on paper. They want to use your name to take out a loan, get credit cards, or even a driver's license. They may want to use your identity because they're running from the...
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Stoozing, and its Side Effects

We've all become accustomed to the fact that credit card companies charge us interest fees for the use of credit. That's just how it works. The average American consumer has anywhere from five to nine thousand dollars in credit card debt, depending on which source you get the number from.If we're lucky enough to get an offer for a card with a 0% introductory APR, we often jump at the chance to transfer existing credit card...
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Time is Money, Especially When Shopping

When I'm on the clock, earning my paycheck, the time sometimes seems to drag on and on. When I'm coming up with the formula to amass my fortune, I've figured out it will take years and years to accomplish my financial goals. I know that, sometimes, it's better to pay for a service than to waste my precious time doing it, when I could be doing more important things. We've all heard it many times before,...
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Identity Thieves Use Any Tactic to Steal Your Identity

We are all aware of the threat of identity theft. Those ruthless scammers will stop at nothing to get your personal information, including digging through your garbage, lying about who they are, or stealing your wallet. We know to shred all of our receipts and statements. We know to never give out our Social Security number, unless we know who we are giving it to. We know to safeguard credit card and loan information. We study...
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Where You Can Open Your IRA

Ready to open your IRA?So, you've reduced your debts to a level you can pay off every month. You've saved a few month's worth of living expenses for emergencies. You've done a little research and learned the benefits of opening your IRA as soon as possible. Okay, you're ready to open your IRA. So, now what? First of all, I want you understand that an IRA is not a type of investment; it is a type...
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