Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Credit Cards

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Every day things that can help improve your credit. Also in the news: Borrowing money for things that won’t last, how lifestyle inflation is hurting your finances, and times when paying more just isn’t worth it.

5 Things You Do Every Day That Can Improve Your Credit
Effortless ways to improve your credit.

Don’t Borrow Money For Longer Than The Thing You’re Buying Will Last
You could be paying off a purchase long after you’ve stopped using it.

7 Ways Lifestyle Inflation Is Harming Your Finances
The high cost of a “better” standard of living.

7 times when paying more isn’t worth it
When going the cheap route makes more sense.

How to save money: 27 great personal finance tips
Every penny counts.

Q&A: Using a bonus to pay off debt

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Dear Liz: I’m expecting a bonus this year of about $10,000. Should I pay off $6,000 in back taxes on which I’m currently paying $428 per month on a never-ending installment agreement? Or would it be better to pay off one of our $5,000 credit cards accruing 19% to 22% interest?

Answer: You didn’t mention some important factors: How much you owe on the credit cards, what the interest rate is on that installment agreement, or why you’re planning to use only about half of your bonus to pay off debt instead of at least 90% of it.

What is clear, though, is that you’re having some trouble living within your means. A fee-only planner who charges by the hour could help you figure out a budget. Online resources such as Mint.com or personal finance software such as Quicken or You Need a Budget also might be helpful. Another low-cost source of help would be a credit counselor affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (www.nfcc.org).

All things being equal, it’s usually best to pay off your highest-rate debts first. If you owe so much on credit cards that you have no hope of paying them off within five years, however, you might be wise to spend some of your bonus consulting a bankruptcy attorney.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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how_to_build_an_emergency_fundToday’s top story: How to boost your emergency fund. Also in the news: What you need to worry about for retirement besides money, why you should worry about medical identity theft, and deciding when it’s time to dump your credit card.

11 Ways to Boost Your Emergency Fund
How to prepare for unexpected expenses.

5 Things to Worry About Besides Money for Retirement
There’s more to retirement planning than just money.

Medical identity theft: Why you should worry
And you thought credit theft was bad…

6 Signs You Should Dump Your Credit Card
Deciding when to cut the card.

This Simple 6-Step Routine Could Save You $30 Per Week on Groceries
An extra $1500 a year would be nice!

Q&A: Could reducing your credit limit hurt your credit score?

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Dear Liz: I asked one of my credit card issuers to increase my credit line from $2,000 to $5,000 but was turned down. The reason given was that I have too high credit limits from my other cards. Combined, I have about $100,000 in available credit, although I’ve never used more than $15,000 at any time and always paid promptly. If I ask these credit card companies to reduce my available credit, will I damage my FICO credit scores, which are around 785?

Answer: Your credit scores may well take a hit if you reduce your available credit, and there’s no guarantee that doing so will induce the issuer you’re courting to raise your limit. If this card is relatively recent, you may find that simply waiting a few months and asking again will get you the credit line increase.

If not, you have plenty of other options. Credit card companies are falling all over themselves to attract creditworthy customers like yourself. Check out some of the offers you’ll find at credit card comparison sites such as NerdWallet, CreditCards.com, CardRatings, LowCards.com and others.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Why you should pay your credit card bill before it’s due. Also in the news: How to break a bad money habit, what the IRS is doing to prevent identity theft, and how one late mortgage payment can wreak havoc with your credit score.

4 Reasons to Pay Your Credit Card Bill Before It’s Due
Improving your credit score is one of them.

How to Change a Bad Money Habit
Reward yourself for better behavior.

IRS Aims Harder to Protect You Against Identity Theft
New steps to protect tax payers.

Will Obamacare Ruin Your Tax Refund?
Probably not.

How Much a Late Mortgage Payment Can Damage Your Credit Score
A single late payment could pack a wallop.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Why you should treat your savings like the government treats your taxes. Also in the news: The hidden costs of your shopping habits, a 12-month guide to staying on the right financial track, and how to optimize your student loans in the new year.

Treat Savings Like a Tax to Ensure You Do It
Government-style savings.

The Real Cost of Your Shopping Habits
“The road to bankruptcy is paved with good deals.”

Your 12-Month Guide to Staying on the Right Financial Track in 2015
Taking it month-by-month.

5 Ways to Optimize Your Student Loans in 2015
How to cut costs and pay them off sooner.

Does Everyone Need a Credit Card?
You’d be surprised.