banktime.com

President Obama has really rocked the credit card world since he’s taken office. Of all of the industries affected by the downturn in the economy, the credit card industry has been hit as one of the hardest. President Obama passed the credit cardholders bill of rigths this year which gives protection to you as a consumer.

Many dentists will offer you a healthcare credit card to cover the cost of your necessary work. These cards seem tempting: your work will be paid for, over time, with flexible repayment terms, and no up-front costs. You might be thinking, ‘sign me up!’ But you really should think twice. Or three times, even. Make sure that you really understand what you are signing up for.

It’s logical to assume that, at Target, you will have your credit card ready to go. Need to pick up some diapers, a few kids’ t-shirts that are on sale, a handful of notebooks, and maybe a quick bite for dinner? Those – and more! – are all available to you at the big red dot, but there’s one more, completely nonsensical thing that you can find at Target these days… Facebook credits. Yes, you heard that right.

The intelligent will always find the best ways to save money. The very intelligent will occasionally take this a step further and figure out ways to actually MAKE money where others would simply spend it!

Federal law may not have been enough to curb the seemingly ceaseless tide of credit card lenders’ greed and malice. The Credit Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act took full effect last week, but a disturbing new study found recently that card interest rates are actually higher than they have ever been before. According to industry watchdog site Bankrate.com, the average American credit card rate today is over fourteen percent. Compare that to an average of twelve percent prior to the Great Recession, and you will see a definite rise.

Weddings in this day and age can be divided into two distinct categories – the drive-through ‘I do’s’ in Vegas / the backyard hoedowns (like mine), and then the massive June-fantasy ceremonies like you see in bridal magazines. For the first category, we have faith and crossed fingers. For the latter, we have wedding insurance.

One of America’s largest banks has been slammed by a federal judge for charging debit card overdraft fees in such a way as to maximize the bank’s profits on customers’ mistakes. The Californian judge ordered Wells Fargo bank to pay two hundred three million dollars in restitution to state debit card customers who were hit with the unfair fees, which came in at thirty-five dollars apiece.

Facing the loss of billions of dollars in overdraft charges every year, banks are bending over backwards to make paying fees a more attractive proposition for customers. Yesterday, a federal law kicked in as part of the Credit Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act that makes it illegal for banks to enroll accountholders in overdraft “protection” unless it is specifically requested.

MasterCard is anticipated to be soon announcing a card in conjunction with Citigroup that will feature a never-before-experienced spate of features designed to protect consumers from their own irresponsible spending. Most credit cards nowadays boast an extensive list of safeguards meant to shield consumers from identity theft and other fraud. MasterCard will take that a step further by shielding cardholders from their own stupid financial decisions.

Shopping for groceries can be very wearying. You spend all kinds of money at the supermarket, watch your family consume the food over the next week or two, and then have to do it all over again. Because grocery shopping is very seldom an enjoyable chore, most people don’t consider that it is a huge area of impulsive and wasteful spending. In truth, however, we waste more money at the grocery store than almost anywhere else. The good news is that it’s not hard to make a few small adjustments to your habits in order to significantly cut your grocery bill. A little elbow grease, some comparative shopping, and attention to coupons can really give your family a boost in this department. Your credit card will thank you!

Let’s all go to the lobby and get ourselves a… discount? It may sound hard to believe, but a trip to the movies doesn’t necessarily have to equal an exorbitant credit card bill. Earlier this summer, huge American theater chain AMC banned outside food and drinks from its properties. Competitors Cinemark and Regal – the company that owns my local movie theater – have had similar policies for some time now. Say goodbye to that candy bar and twenty ounce bottle of soda you smuggled in using deep pickets or a big purse, unless you want to risk expulsion.