Credit Card Chaser

As the holidays are approaching, I look forward to lots of food, time with my family and lets be real, presents are nice too! For many this is a very special time of the year filled with traditions and creating memories with loved ones; but it can also be stressful. In 2011, shoppers spent an average of $704.18 per person on gifts and other seasonal items.

With all this spending, its no surprise that you need to be prepared for the seasonal spending. This can be a great opportunity to earn rewards from your credit card, but you should spend wisely and keep track of your spending.

Here are some of the top articles of November on how to save and spend wisely throughout the holiday season.

5 Ways to Curb Compulsive Spending This Christmas - from MoneyNing

Among the warm feelings, time spent with the family and special traditions; the holiday months are associated with spending. Giving gifts is enjoyable but if not planned out it can become dangerous. In this article, MoneyNing talks about the dangers of compulsive spending and offers 5 simple ways to keep you on track to not overspend this holiday season.

11 Special & Meaningful Gift Ideas for Kids from Money Crashers

Around this time you may be wondering what you should give this holiday season. I have given gifts that have been simple and inexpensive to gifts that required some prior savings. When it comes down to it, the gifts that mean the most to us (and that we actually remember) are the time spent together not a physical gift. This article provides 11 great gift ideas that will mean something to your child and that they will actually remember down the road.

Make the Most of Your Holiday Shopping from Bargaineering

Spending more around the holidays is expected but this doesn’t mean their aren’t ways to prepare or even take advantage of it. You know you’re going to spend more, so why not claim rewards for your spending. In this article, Craig explains safe ways to get rewards for your spending without paying extra or overspending.

7 Inexpensive (or Free) Christmas Gifts for The Holiday Season from MoneyNing

We have all done it before, how many times have you gone Christmas shopping and walked away with nothing. For me personally, the majority of the time this is because I go shopping without knowing what I want to buy for each person and the rest of the time its because I wonder if they will actually like the gift. MoneyNing offers 7 great ideas for Christmas gifts that are inexpensive or even free, but will be appreciated more than any product.

How To Create A Fantastic Yet Frugal Christmas Gifting Strategy from ChristianPF

Im sure we all agree that budgets are great but they’re not always the easiest to set up. Determining how much money to put in each category for each individual can be difficult, especially when wanting to evenly give to each child, grandchild, etc. This article walks you through a useful strategy for how to determine a budget that will work for you.

Although this can be a stressful time of the year for your wallet and shopping, some of these articles above may be useful in allowing you to spend less time stressing about shopping and more time enjoy the important things of the holiday season.

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We love saving money and also love finding creative ways to motivate people to save more! Sarah Foss, Marketing Director for SmartyPig.com, a site that makes saving money social, was kind enough to answer a few questions for us help you understand what SmartyPig is all about.

Who can benefit from saving up for their goals with a SmartyPig account?

SmartyPig was designed to help people save for the things they want or need, whether that be expecting parents, families saving for holiday gifts or spring break vacations, or those just ‘saving to save.’ Everybody needs to be saving for a little something, right?

SmartyPig makes saving money social and rewards you for it. Can you explain how these two goals factor into an awesome SmartyPig experience?

Seven out of ten of our users share their goals socially. By doing so, our customers not only get support from their friends and family, but donations too, helping them reach their goals faster than ever. As far as rewards go, well, we have cash back opportunities at retail favorites like the Gap and Macy’s and a Cash Rewards prepaid card to help you spend responsibly and earn cash back on any and all of your purchases, too.

What’s the most interesting/unique goal you’ve heard of someone saving up for on SmartyPig?

Saving for a trip to the moon. I hope they invite me on that one!

What sets SmartyPig apart from some of the other online savings options out there?

SmartyPig makes saving fun. With a goal in sight, we encourage our users to skip the occasional luxury for a drop in the goal, or provide them with fun contests and giveaways to help keep them inspired.

The future of SmartyPig looks bright! Any new features or additional exciting rewards in the works that we can look forward to?

We are keeping on top of the social scene and looking forward to finding new ways to engage and interact with our users.

Parting Thoughts

We want to say a big “Thank You!” to Sarah for taking the time out to answer these for us! Are you trying to find better ways to maximize your savings? It might be a great time to check out SmartyPig!

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July has been a busy month for Americans. They have been enjoying barbecues, baseball parks, and beaches during the hot summer days. Forbes estimates that these American summer traditions took more than $3 billion out of wallets all across our great nation on the fourth of July alone. $600 million of those expenses were in fireworks. Americans may be having fun, but they are still spending and having to pay the bills.

On top of usual monthly expenses, many summer budgets take on even more to accommodate for fourth of July fun. Whether you’re paying for a special summer vacation or just another month’s rent, you will want to use those credit cards wisely and pay the bills on time.

In addition to a focus on using those cards within the monthly budget, this roundup includes some spotlights on building credit using credit cards and checking your score for the long run. Everyday spending can contribute to lifelong savings when you pay attention to your credit score and take care how you build it.

How to Use Credit Cards Wisely from PTmoney.com

This article recognizes that credit cards can be complicated tools, but they can still be successfully used with some relatively simple rules. No fluff and a well-prioritized list make this a great article for anyone looking for just the basics. With so many Americans struggling with debt, it is hard to justifiably undervalue basic credit card rules. Rule 1: pay off the balance every month no matter the card. After this is consistently followed, then look for rewards. Reordering your credit goals can help you not be disappointed with your cards.

How to Build and Use Rockstar Credit from BeatingBroke.com

Everyone wants to be a rockstar. Instead of associating the topic of checking your credit score with a boring nerd stigma, think of being a credit score rockstar! Maybe more people would realize the value of building and checking their credit if they felt the rush of being on stage while it’s happening. Since that’s not going to happen, think of the credit bureaus as adoring fans. Having a good payment history will give you a rockstar reputation in their eyes, and you will be able to make some big savings on interest rates as a result.

Credit Score Scale: What is a Good Credit Score from GoodFinancialCents.com

You may be building your credit score, but what is a good goal to reach? Jeff Rose explains that 620-700 may get you approved, but keep building to a 720 and beyond to be in the best range. Reaching these goals won’t happen overnight. Jeff explains that it took him a couple years and buying his first home to ensure that his score moved past his goal of 740.

Some of the subtleties of your credit score are also explained. Making sure you know your real FICO score rather than a consumer education estimate is a must when setting expectations for interest rates. Don’t get caught relying on a credit score that isn’t yours.

3 Signs of a Great Go-To Rewards Card from Credit.com

Rewards credit cards are the most common type of card available. Consumers sign up hoping to take advantage of a percent back on purchases, and this article helps them get the most by making sure that they consider interest rates and fees as well as concentrate their rewards in a common spending category. One tip that stands out is that rewards programs should be straightforward. Too much confusion from rewards limits and expiration dates will kill the effectiveness of a rewards program.

7 Money Mindset Myths That Are Keeping You Poor from MoneyNing.com

It has been said that a penny saved is a penny earned, but this article challenges that oversimplified conception of finances. Investing may take some risk and money that could have been saved, but wise investing is better for financial security than simply saving pennies and dollars here and there. Building credit will take some wise spending and investing overtime. It can pay off with better interest rates and better overall financial security.

The Myth of Get Rich Quick from FreeFromBroke.com

Many people have bought the dream that getting rich quick is hidden within a few simple steps or investment ideas. Too often people use credit cards for a get-rick-quick lifestyle rather than to pay their expenses responsibly. Credit cards and credit card rewards are not a way to experience wealth beyond your means, but a means to managing your wealth.

As Americans have fun spending on summer vacations and staying cool in the heat, they will want to spend wisely. It is always a good time to be building credit and finding the best credit cards and interest rates available. Whether you are looking for a card to rebuild your credit or earn the best rewards, use our credit card chaser to compare your options!

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The planning for our big vacation to Italy took months, and the savings took years. The expectations were to make it the vacation of a lifetime for four guys seeking adventure. The goal was exploring as much of the country as possible from Rome to Florence to Milan to Venice to Naples, all by way of a compact rental Citroen C3. At least, it was the Citroen until the window was shattered by thieves in a Milanese parking lot. The thieves got two several-hundred-dollar cameras, and the cost to change our injured car for another European beauty, a Fiat Punto, was the price of the repair and administration fees from Europcar, about $350.

Of course that wasn’t the first surprise we encountered on our dream vacation. Upon arrival in Rome, we found out that the amount of cash we had exchanged wasn’t sufficient for the expenses ahead. ATM international withdrawal fees were unavoidable. Also unavoidable were the large tolls to use the highways, totaling 184 Euros for a loop around the entire country.

The icing on the cake of our list of surprise expenses was the 76 Euros (over $100) for a mere 18 hours of parking near the heart of Venice. Make sure to double check the rates when you enter a parking garage that’s just too convenient to be true and your Fiat is parked next to Audis and Mercedes!

The most careful vacation planner may be forced to go over budget on a trip. Our group of four had to pay an extra $276 per person! Hopefully you won’t have to pay that much, but you will want to be prepared for those expenses and fees with the right credit card.

If you’re planing a dream vacation, take these tips along with you to avoid as much stress as possible. There are many ways a vacation can turn sour, but don’t let a disaster ruin your long-awaited trip.

Watching soccer and completely unaware that our car was vulnerable!

Prepare for Some Wrong Turns

Sometimes a vacation schedule becomes more like a list of the best possible sequential scenarios than an attainable reality. You don’t want the vacation to reach panic mode if something goes wrong. A missed train, wrong turn, late hotel check-in, or rental car exchange becomes even more of a nightmare if you are missing other plans or forfeiting reserved expenses in other places because of the delay. Give yourself some down time to deal with issues. Also be sure to book your hotels with a credit card rather than debit so that you have the credit card company as a middle man in case of a mistake or delay.

If you need some extra time to account for some wrong turns, then you will also need a buffer to keep your vacation budget safe from those wrong turns. Many people can be so optimistic about their schedule and expenses that they come back with an inflated credit card balance. The problem gets even worse if they bring along a debit card that incurs overdraft charges because of some extra spending.

Protect Your Valuables

The general concept is obvious enough, but the specifics of keeping your stuff safe can be a bit more tricky. We parked our car on an open street with a parking lot attendant present (at least to take our payment if not to watch out for thieves). We thought that it would be a safe place to leave our car. In our rush to go see a soccer game, we left cameras and a map out on the seat which let thieves single out our car as a tourist treasure chest. Be sure to keep a passport, credit cards, and cameras with you at all times. If you must leave it in a car or hotel room, hide it well.

Also keep a back-up pictures of your passport, airline information, and credit card information in case you need to cancel a stolen card. Being able to call the credit card company and receive their assistance will be a relief if you do have a credit card lost or stolen.

Budget Well

Even with the added expenses, the members of our group each had enough saved for our trip to not be in financial trouble. We can look back on the trip as the experience of a lifetime because we were prepared with several cards from different issuers. We planned in advance and were able to use our credit cards and ATM withdrawals to handle all the expenses that Italy could conjure!

How about you? Do you have a vacation disaster story? If so, were you financially prepared for it?

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You have been waiting months for that beach vacation, and now that it’s finally here, you are free to put everything else out of sight and out of mind for a week. If there’s no greater elation than escaping to a vacation destination, then there’s no greater depression than getting back to find its expenses on the credit card bill.

Paying the price for a great getaway is worth it, but don’t make it worth more than it has to be. How you pay for a vacation could have significant impact to the final bill and the ease of paying it off. Some have suggested that debit cards are the best way to ensure that vacation expenses don’t become a credit card balance, but others have noted the complications of unexpectedly going broke mid-vacation with debit.

When to Face the Payments

Debit card advocates remind readers of the post-vacation depression of seeing a credit card statement to greet them back home. Carrying a nagging balance with interest for months afterwards certainly outweighs that one week of happiness away from home, so there is good reason for not racking up vacation debt.

Many vacationers like to be free from thinking about the world while they relax, but this attitude coupled with the ability to “keep putting it on the card” is dangerous. Some expenses may be unavoidable, but others are short-lived indulgences that will create a nasty credit card balance with interest later. If credit cards make these too tempting, using a debit card is a good idea.

To avoid getting carried away, it is best to use credit cards on a vacation with a budget in mind. Create the budget ahead of time with “emergencies,” “surprise expenses,” and “added indulgences” categories to stay away from interest or at least anticipate exactly how much will be added to a balance.

You may have to save longer in order to have enough in the bank account to use a debit card through the entire trip, but it may be worth it when you are able to look back on the vacation without regret a month later. Long term peace of mind is worth more than a temporary escape.

Reaching Your Limit

If coming back home to a shortage of funds is a rude awakening, then an even worse wake-up to reality is running out of funds in the middle of the trip! It is common sense to have enough money or available credit for a vacation before going on it.

The problem is that bank accounts tend to hover closer to zero more than credit limits tend to reach the maximum. Even if your bank account has enough room to swallow a vacation, give the debit card some extra space for emergencies and surprise expenses like the $100 parking fiasco or a run-in with thieves. It may seem responsible to put it all on a debit card in order to have it paid ahead of time, but even the most responsible vacation planner will run into expenses beyond his control.

Debit Card Holds

No matter the destination, I suspect there are many vacationers who want to get away without getting a huge bill. Though they are in the middle of countless ways to throw away cash, they simply want to make theirs go the farthest.

You may want to hang out at a nice hotel pool without charging $150 a night for extravagant hotel room service, but that choice becomes more complicated with a debit card. Because the hotel does not have a credit card company as a guarantee when you use a debit card, they will sometimes hold as much as 120% of the room charge per night on a debit card.

The money on hold will be active in your account after your stay at the hotel (but not guaranteed right away), but until then that money is unavailable. There is no difference in over-drawing an account because of actual expenses or because of money on hold. Overdraft fees and an inability to use your only card could paralyze your vacation and end its enjoyment.

Analyzing Perks and Safety Features

Having a credit card company as a middle man will also come in handy when dealing with a lost or stolen card. It is much easier to cancel a credit card and dispute fraudulent charges than have the money permanently gone from a bank account.

Furthermore, many credit cards offer increased rewards for hotel, dining, and airline purchases. With the right card, 5% back in rewards is not out of the question. If the enjoyment of a vacation is in not having to think about the world you’re escaping, you won’t need to be thinking about these credit card rewards in order to receive them from the hotels and airline tickets you need. That’s certainly a twist on the gloomy vacation blues that are normally part of getting back home. Knowing that you are receiving increased rewards may even add a layer of fun to the trip if you are able to stay away from creating a balance.

The best perk a debit card offers is lower ATM fees. Thankfully, our group had debit cards available to make our money withdrawal less painful than it might have been.

Vacations may have other considerations such as foreign transaction fees that come with international travel. A consideration might be putting a vacation on a credit card with 0% introductory APR with the intent to pay it off during that period. These are added layers to the debate, but travelers should at least have a foundation of the right credit and debit expectations for a successful vacation.

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You can save hundreds of dollars per year by taking full advantage of the great credit card perks and rewards available in 2012 on car related purchases. Use your credit cards to get many car related benefits such as rental discounts, rental insurance, roadside assistance, gas rewards, and various offers for parts purchases.

Check the specific promotions for your credit cards since terms and conditions vary per lending institution. Use your credit card to save money on car related expenses and be sure to check the available rewards cards to you using our free credit card comparison tool.

Rental Discounts

You just need to complete car rental purchases with eligible credit cards to get car rental discounts based on the card type and rental company. For instance, you can save up to 25% by renting via National car rental with a free weekend day included. This promotion is offered to MasterCard holders, throughout 2012, for renting compact or full size cars in the United States with a 3 days minimum rental period.

In addition, if you own a Visa card, you can save for up to 20% with $15 off on Alamo rentals of any size automobile in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United States. A minimum 3 days rental period is also required.

Check your respective credit card institution for complete information on car rental discounts’ conditions. These discounts are great because they don’t require one of the different types of rewards credit cards with high interest rates to receive them, only an eligible credit card with the rental company.

Rental Insurance

Get auto rental collision damage waiver coverage for theft or collision up to the estimated monetary value of most rental cars. You only need to fill out the rental form with an eligible credit card while declining the rental company’s CDW/LWD (Collision Damage Waiver/Loss Damage Waiver) option to get card coverage. Credit cards reimburse for replacement or repair of parts on rental vehicles based on certain conditions and terms.

To be eligible for rental insurance, you must be the primary driver. Additional drivers must be authorized under the rental contract. This perk provides a savings on average of $15 per day based on rental companies collision damage waiver charges. You must decline the loss and collision damage waiver provided by rental institutions for credit card coverage to take effect.

Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance can provide you toll-free and 24 hours assistance for emergency vehicle services like fuel delivery, towing, tire changing, lockout service, jump starting, amongst other. Service fees are not covered by credit card issuing banks, but are available at discounted prices. For example, if you own a Visa card, the entire roadside services previously mentioned goes for $59.95 per service call.

If required, just call 1800-VISA-TOW to obtain roadside assistance service. The roadside assistance dispatchers will inform you of the local professional name with estimated charge quotes and times of arrival. You will have the ultimate choice for tow service destinations based on personal needs.

Be certain to check with the credit card issuing bank for specific charges on road assistance programs.

Gas Rewards

You can get gas rewards by making gas purchases with some credit cards. Compare and browse applicable credit cards to maximize savings at gas stations. Credit cards usually offer 2% discount on gas purchases without limits.

Parts and Vehicles Purchases

Credit cards offer many benefits for consumers to save on car ownership related costs. Take full advantage of these benefits by checking credit cards’ website for promotion information or by contacting the respective customer support.

1. Extended warranty. Use your credit cards’ extended warranty services to double the original’s manufacturer repair warranty for up to three years depending on the item and credit card type.
2. Price protection. You should buy car parts with credit cards to benefit from the price protection option, which covers reimbursement, repair, or replacement of eligible items. There are claim amounts limits based on the credit card used that you should review with the respective credit card provider.
3. Exclusive credit card discount malls. Some credit cards offer their own shopping malls with bonuses and discounts on multiple items. Some examples of these discount malls are Capital One’s Perk Central and Bank of America’s World Points Rewards which offer cash back rates of up to 5%. Buy automotive parts and services at online stores like Advance Auto Parts, Sirius XM, and AutoAnything via these cards’ shopping malls. Get or redeem credit cards’ bonus points on purchases to save hundreds of dollars on car related expenses.

The highly competitive credit card market provides you with many options and benefits

Credit card companies are constantly updating and adding new perks for you to enjoy. Since credit card offers are extensive, it’s suggested that you check with your respective credit card issuing institutions to take full advantage of these special offers. Contact the respective credit card provider’s customer service for guidance and information to save money on your car related expenses. Also use our credit card chaser tool to compare rewards and perks you could be getting with credit cards now!

This article is provided courtesy of Auto Loan Experts, a consumer finance website providing information and tools on car loans for people with bad credit and other personal credit services.

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Good money management skills don’t magically appear overnight. Chances are you learned quite a few of your most important money skills in your childhood. Do you remember your first allowance? What about your application for your first credit card? Maybe you didn’t make perfect decisions all the time, but you probably learned a lot.

Along similar lines, your kids should also be learning from experience (with your guidance and supervision, of course), and the earlier, the better. It’s not just common sense. Studies consistently show that adults make better choices if they learn good habits in their youth.

Easier said than done, right? Teaching may not be an exact science, but there are a few simple strategies you can follow to make it easier. Here are a few tips for teaching your child about money.

1. It’s Never Too Early to Start

We’re not saying your toddler is for a seminar on the Volcker Rule, or even ready to count pennies necessarily. However, she’s plenty ready to start learning social and emotional skills, which are just as important as math skills when it comes to managing money. Every time she has to deal with delayed gratification (waiting her turn for a cookie), making a choice (yellow crayon versus blue crayon) or staying disciplined (being quiet in the theater), she’s building a great foundation for budgeting, too.

2. Cash and Coins Come First

This is an essential tip for younger kids, but it’s also important for anyone handling money for the first time. With the increasing popularity of online baking and even a mobile payment service to swipe credit cards via phone, kids will probably have few, if any, reasons to use cash in their adult life. However, it’s hard for kids to understand how money works without it.

When they literally see money coming and going, ideas like spending and saving will seem more real and tangible for them. Seeing numbers go up and down on a computer screen is no substitute for saving quarters in a jar, or handing over a few dollars for a hot dog.

3. Take Advantage of Teachable Moments

They’re always watching how you handle money, and they’ll learn a lot by your attitude toward it. This is no reason to get self-conscious. It’s actually a great thing! You make simple money management decisions every day, and each one can become a teachable moment.

As far as your child is concerned, you’re already a financial literacy expert.

For example, try making your next trip to the grocery store into a budgeting lesson. Look around the kitchen with your child and work together to make a list of things you need. While you’re at the store, explain what you’re purchasing and why, and let her help you make decisions (with reasonable boundaries, of course). Some children will even be able to understand how a food credit card can help with groceries if explained to them.

4. Give Your Child an Allowance

If your child is too young to have a job but old enough to make her own purchases, give her a reasonable allowance. Many experts believe that this is one the best things you can do to teach your child about money. An allowance gives her an opportunity to practice handling money, setting spending goals, and balancing wants versus needs.

Most of the time, it’s best to let her live with the consequences of her purchases. That way, she’ll quickly learn what her priorities are.

That said, make sure you have a discussion about what her allowance money is for. Is it pocket money for the week? Is she expected to save part of it? It’s also a good idea to help her set spending goals. For example, if she’s got her eye on a new bicycle, help her come up with a savings plan.

5. Open a Bank Account

A savings account is a great way for your child to get real-world banking experience. Your local community bank or credit union may even have a savings program just for kids. If your kid is a teenager, get her a checking account. She will not only get to practice saving; she’ll also get to practice account management skills like making deposits, reading card statements and using a debit card.

If your child is under 18, you’ll probably be required to cosign to open the account, which means you’ll take full responsibility if problems arise. However, you’ll also be able to monitor your child’s account activity and advise her along the way.

6. Take Advantage of Digital Resources

Chances are, your child’s pretty tech savvy, and you can use this to your advantage. If your kid is always playing with your smartphone or tablet, consider introducing them to a kid-friendly budgeting app. Kids Money, Bank of Mom, and A+ Allowance are just some of the great apps that are out there. Try out free versions when you can, and find one that both you and your child like. Additionally, the Internet is teeming with excellent financial literacy resources. Here are a few sites to get you started:

• Online Money Games: A list of links to money management games for kids of all ages.
• MyMoney.gov: The federal government’s collection of resources aimed at children and young adults.

Without question, money management skills are one of the most important things kids need to know to be independent. Don’t worry if they make mistakes. It’s better for them to learn hard lessons now, while you can help them, than to wait for adulthood. Good luck!

Laura Edgar is a senior writer for credit card website NerdWallet.com.

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Whether your goal is to get the most out of credit card rewards or start paying down debt, here are a few articles on credit and spending from across the web. Some discuss how to build credit using credit cards that can produce big savings while others focus on how to overcome the stress of bad credit.

There is a light-hearted mention for summer fashion interest as well as a counter-point for those looking to save on summer apparel. We’re thankful for these great credit and spending perspectives from all around the financial world in the month of June!

How Do You Know if You Have the Credit Score of a Homeless Ghost? at Studenomics.com

Although credit scores are an admittedly boring topic, you may want to know yours. Unless you plan on buying houses and cars purely with cash, your credit score won’t be so boring when trying to make your first big life-changing purchase. The percentage that a mortgage is adjusted by a good credit score can save you thousands over years of paying with less interest. Read on to see just how much this number can affect your financial possibilities and don’t let it remain unknown.

How I Lost $280 in Credit Card Rewards by Not Paying Attention at FreeMoneyFinance.com

Many people would be happy to make this amount in their total yearly rewards from a credit card, but in a few short months this credit card user actually lost this amount because of some red tape. Make sure to read the fine print whenever you sign up for a new credit card. If you happen to be using a card that you haven’t examined, then make sure to look it over before you keep spending and compare your options!

Are these Money Issues Sabotaging Your Relationship? at Moolanomy.com

Debt is listed as one of the biggest causes of stress in a relationship. There often tends to be depression when a person is caught in their own debt, but this can multiply for a couple when there is insecurity and a lack of trust between them. By creating a plan to pay off debt and use credit cards together, a couple can share the same goals and multiply their effort against debt.

Snooki Launches Her Own Line of Flip-Flops at Money.CNN.com

For those keeping style in their summer budget, check out the perfect blend of summer fun and celebrity branding… flip flops from Snooki. Yes, you were waiting for it. Are these flip flops a good buy? Well, they’re certainly good for the Jersey Shore celebrity and her coming baby’s financial situation based on the income from this line of footwear. To ease the stress from the passive vs earned income debates, take a minute to compare your income to this ridiculous celebrity source of income.

10 Things to Look for Every Time You Visit a Thrift Store at WiseBread.com

For those interested in a cost-efficient wardrobe, this article provides advice on scouring thrift stores. T-shirts, pants, and even accessories are a steal if you don’t mind gently used clothes. Some will find this as a way to make space on a budget and look great! Others may find the idea of recycled clothes hard to stomach, but they might enjoy looking for other items on this list such as furniture, books, and home decor. Whatever you decide as the best way to make use of your money, make sure you are prepared with the best credit cards available!

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Credit cards are powerful tools. They can be credit cards with miles rewards and special incentives. They can help organize and facilitate expenses. They are so much a part of daily spending that we use them without even thinking. That’s where financial expert David Weliver from MoneyUnder30 comes in. He advises twenty-somethings on their way to organizing their finances and their credit.

I had an opportunity to have a personal conversation with David on how examining spending habits can help you make use of all the tools available to manage them. Furthermore, knowing your own spending can help you make conscious financial goals which will influence future spending habits. David’s advice is never far from practical as he gives his personal outlook on these important topics.

Credit can be a powerful ally or a costly enemy based on how you use it. Build credit using credit cards and make smart decisions when you know your own spending and prioritize goals. We’re thankful that David could join us to answer a few questions!

1. You recently encouraged your readers to evaluate their saving and spending tendencies where you surprisingly identified yourself as a spender. Is being a natural saver inherently better than being a natural spender?

“Having an inclination toward spending isn’t a bad thing” assures David. It’s when spending goes unbalanced and leads to increasing debt that it becomes negative. Those who are fighting excessive debt don’t need to think of an expense of any kind as inherently bad. The trick is making your spending “a more conscious spending, a more conscious use of money.”

Conscious spending doesn’t mean no spending. It just means spending with purpose. Saving isn’t necessarily better if you’re not meeting financial goals and life goals.

2. On this popular post, many people were hesitant to categorize themselves as one or the other. Do you have any further words for these people (who don’t like the restriction of a label) but could maybe still profit from a self-evaluation?

Obviously people will be somewhere in the middle of two extremes that are easy to point out. Usually, a person will have an inclination towards one or the other, but even if there is a person that is right in the middle, David thinks that they can benefit from an assessment of their spending habits.

3. Many people go a lifetime without evaluating their own spending habits. What resources would you recommend to those contemplating how to shape up their spending?

David recommends his Richer by the Week for financial goals. It is ”a simple 5 day plan to take control of your money and your life.”

He further tells us to “think of good financial habits as good weight loss habits.” Someone may begin to make small changes to lose weight, but it is possible to continually be hindered by one very big negative influence that stands in the way. Working out isn’t going to help if you’re still eating cake every night.

“A coffee isn’t going to kill your budget.” If you are making budget changes, don’t start by putting yourself on a guilt trip about buying a coffee. Start analyzing your big expenses like car payments and house payments.

Stop interest on credit cards accumulating and look at what’s really hurting. Those things are the big negative influences that will keep you from attaining financial stability.

A budget is helpful because it exposes real spending habits. It is not just there so you can analyze every little coffee that shows up.

David reminds us that we may underestimate our spending in a particular area, but “a budget never lies.” You may think you’re spending $100 a month on eating out, but after examining the credit card bill, you realize you’re spending $300 a month. You’ve just uncovered a significant issue that could be contributing to debt.

4. A big piece of advice on MoneyUnder30 is to prioritize and work toward goals. Many people have mentioned that this is getting out of credit card debt for them. What words of wisdom or encouragement do you have for people who are trying to make that their #1 financial goal?

This is a personal question to Money Under 30 since David himself was in a considerable amount of credit card debt. It’s by making that his #1 financial goal that he was able to start moving towards paying it off.

“Having getting out of debt as a #1 goal does not necessarily mean killing yourself and setting unreasonable expectations for paying it off.” If you set a goal of $500 monthly debt payments but get discouraged by missing the goal every month, then you are not helping your cause. Setting a $300 monthly debt contribution goal could be the right goal for you.

5. If someone has successfully avoided credit card debt and feels “ahead of the pack,” what is a good financial goal that takes financial responsibility to the next level?

If someone has managed to avoid debt or repay their existing debt from a crisis, they can make financially beneficial goals at that point to continue providing for their future. A number of goals are often talked about: start to build credit history, create an emergency fund, monthly budget, 401(k), or Roth IRA.

What all of these goals have in common is that you are providing for your future.

“It’s hard to wrap your mind around these goals at a young age, because you can’t see a tangible item such as a house for a mortgage or a convertible for a car payment.” It’s not exciting to make these payments and there is not bills coming in from debt payments, so it is easy to miss them. But these goals factor into a strategy that David calls “paying yourself first,” contributing towards a long-term goal to provide for the future.

A good credit score and wise investing may not be things you can grasp with your hands, but David assures making monthly contributions to these makes it possible to responsibly enjoy what you have set aside for spending each month… which brings us back to our first topic of savers and spenders and their daily habits.

Thank you, David, for answering some questions about using credit and everyday spending to its fullest potential!

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While small businesses have traditionally formed the backbone of any successful economy, the current financial climate makes the formation and success of small businesses much more challenging. Not only do you need a solid business plan and a knowledgeable staff to make your small business a success, you also usually need a reliable line of credit to assist you with start-up costs and daily expenses.

Small businesses can use these trends to survive and thrive in a volatile market.  Low small business credit card rates make loans for everyday operating expenses avoidable and can help cut the risk of using credit. Businesses using their funds to look for creative ways to upgrade technology will have a leg up on the competition and continue to make revenue which can pay off credit and continue to be reinvested in a thriving company.

Minimize Risk from Large Loans

One difference in today’s economy when compared to decades past is that the economies of various countries are more connected than they have been at any other point in history. A collapse or failure in one country or financial system has ripple effects that can have worldwide ramifications.

Likewise, a failure in a single bank often causes multiple banks to collapse much like falling dominoes. This was witnessed in Spain in 2008 and the effects are still being felt by small business owners there.

The New York Times reported that small businesses in Spain had mostly relied on lines of credit from smaller regional banks to cover their daily expenses. The financial crisis in 2008 caused most of these smaller banks to fail, killing the credit lines for small businesses that had previously been thriving. While some of these smaller banks had been absorbed by larger conglomerates, many others went under entirely and never recovered. The larger banks also stopped providing loans.

When credit froze, it became nearly impossible for new businesses to form. The failure of multiple small business combined with the failure of new ones to take their place resulted in massive unemployment throughout Spain and a significant decrease of tax revenues for the Spanish government. Businesses in the United States felt similar pressures, though the results were not as severe. Traditional loans and credit cards must be assessed according to a well-developed business plan.

While banks are often more reluctant to provide credit to businesses than they were five or 10 years ago, credit is often still available to business owners who have a well-prepared, intelligent business plan and who have a better chance of repayment.

Starting a business always involves risk and sometimes that means offering cars, homes, or other personal property as collateral to get the funds your business needs to get started. While these types of risks should never be taken haphazardly, a recent CNN Money article suggests that you need to be willing to put everything on the line and be willing to fulfill your financial obligations to build confidence with both lenders and customers.

 Innovate with Technology to Cut Costs

Innovation has always been the fire driving small business potential. Inventors and visionaries are always finding ways to build businesses on innovation, but every company needs to innovate in a variety of ways while building their potential into a reality. The companies on the front end of technology advancements will have the cutting edge on the competition. Tech innovations may be more easily assessed and carried in on a small business model than in a hulking corporation where implementation takes months and millions.

One advantage that today’s small businesses enjoy that previous generations did not is technological innovations that both increase productivity and reduce costs. It is easy to write new advancements off as prohibitively expensive and therefore impractical but this is not always the case. If there is a new technology that could benefit your business, research loans or government grants that may be available to help further the development of that technology.

While technology has always been advancing, those innovations are coming faster and more efficiently than ever before.

The New York Times points out that the government will often offer tax incentives or encourage low-interest loans to assist in the growth of technological advancements. This is especially true in energy fields such as solar panels or hybrid vehicles. If the new technology helps you reduce your costs, it will pay for itself over time. Calculate the time it would take and how much your initial investment would be.

Embracing new technology also helps set your business apart as you put your business on the cutting edge and this allows you to offer new or faster services that competitors may not be able to match.

This doesn’t only apply to the nuts and bolts of your business but also to its promotion. Online media websites such as YouTube, Daily Motion, and Vimeo allow you post your own videos and commercials very cheaply that millions of potential customers now have access to. Social media sites give you direct access to your consumer base and gives you access to target audience information that you used to have to pay a marketing research firm to have access to. Now it’s all available online and just costs you a little research time.

Organize Expenses and Maximize Credit Perks

One way of embracing new technologies during a more challenging economic era is with a small business credit card. While banks may be less likely to give a loan or supply a regular line of credit to an unproven business, a small business credit card remains a viable option that most banks offer.

This allows you to have credit available for investment or for unexpected expenditures while still minimizing a bank’s potential risk. Business.com lists among the perks of Small business credit cards that they often have a larger limit than personal cards and you can get additional cards from the bank at no extra charge that all tie into the same credit account. This allows you to issue cards to employees and to set a specific credit limit on each card.

Banks often encourage business owners to partake in business card programs by offering rewards programs that have incentives such as frequent flier miles and office supplies. This helps lower your overall operating costs. Some merchants also give discounts to businesses with an account with a particular bank.

Always research your options before signing onto a particular card plan. The best small business credit cards will give you the highest available credit line with the lowest interest rates and the best benefits. Always read all the paperwork as well so you know all the fees that are associated with your account.

While the current financial climate makes starting or maintaining a small business more challenging, there are still tools available to you to help your journey. Intelligent and careful usage of these tools can help you take your business to the next level so the business thrives and expands. Then you can start hiring new workers and become one of the companies fueling economic regrowth.

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