Are Debit Cards Better Than Credit Cards?

Some people believe that debit cards are a good alternative to credit cards because they help curb spending. Does that mean debit cards are a good deal for consumers? No. Although federal law provides some protection for people using debit cards, it still leaves a lot of traps that can end up costing

Should I Get a Prepaid Card?

Many consumers who cannot get a credit card, or can only qualify for a credit card with a high interest rate, turn to prepaid cards to make purchases and pay bills.

The Credit Card Act: More Protection for Cardholders

The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act of 2009 (also called the Credit CARD Act) provides new protections to credit cardholders by limiting interest rate hikes, providing more disclosure

What is a Credit Card Grace Period?

If you make a purchase on a credit card, you may have a window of time to pay off the new balance without paying finance charges. This is called a credit card grace period. Read more to find out what a grace period is, how it works, and what you should be careful about. (If you are struggling with credit

Understanding Credit Card APRs

If you are shopping for a credit card, or have a credit card and are wondering if you can get a better deal, you should understand what an APR is. The APR is usually the single most important factor in how much you will pay to use your credit card if you don’t pay the balance off in full each month.

How do Credit Card Companies Calculate Your Balance for Billing?

Your credit card balance determines how much you will pay in interest each month. The higher the balance, the more interest you will pay. But credit card companies use different methods for calculating your balance -- some of those methods result in higher balances than others. For this reason, it's

Can I stop credit card companies from giving cards to my mentally disabled son?

I am the appointed legal guardian for my mentally disabled son. He has been given three credit cards in the past and ran up very large debts on them. We have finally paid all of them off. How can I stop this from happening in the future? He is not mentally capable of understanding the financial responsibilities associated with owning a credit card.

I lost my credit card far from home -- what's my liability?

I just realized that I lost my credit card while on vacation a few weeks ago. A friend told me that unless I lost the card within 100 miles of my home, I'm stuck with any subsequent charges. Can that be right?