Prepaid debit cards catch a lot of flak for being loaded with fees, but that’s not even our biggest beef with them: When people use prepaid debit in lieu of credit cards, they’re not building a credit history, which strands them on the fringes of the financial mainstream. When Suze Orman came out with her prepaid debit card, she said she …
AmEx
Fine Dining on the Cheap: Restaurants on Sale Coast to Coast
It’s easy to see why the start of the year is a slow time for restaurants. Diners tend to stay home and cook not only because the weather’s cold, but because they probably have yet to pay off the credit card debt accrued via …
It’s a Deal: $25 Credit for Spending $25 with Your Amex Card
American Express is sponsoring a pretty amazing incentive to get consumers to shop at small businesses this holiday season: When you sign up at the link above, you’ll get a $25 credit on your Amex card if you spend at least $25 at nearly any independently owned business—that accepts American Express, of course. The offer is valid for …
So Is It a Good Idea to Give Gift Cards Now?
Not really, even with new federal rules ensuring that cards won’t expire for at least five years, and that “dormancy fees” can’t take away from a card’s monetary value unless you haven’t used the card in a year.
Time to Swap Your Credit Card for a Charge Card?
Yes, there are differences between credit cards and old-fashioned charge cards. Big differences, the main one being it’s extremely unlikely you’ll dig yourself into major debt using a charge card—hence a surge in charge cards’ popularity.
Amex Drops Some Gift Card Fees. Know What? You Still Shouldn’t Buy Them
The gift card is viewed as a thoughtful, less crass alternative to cash. When you present a gift card to someone, the message sent is something like, “I didn’t want to buy you something you don’t need, so you decide.” But if it’s truly the thought that counts, old-fashioned greenbacks are the better way to go.
Why I Enjoyed Reading About My Credit Card’s Fee Increases
I just got a letter in the mail stating that the APR and late fees on my American Express card are being jacked up. I rarely use our AmEx, and when I do, I always pay the bill in full and on time, so this doesn’t really affect me much. And you know what? I’ve become so accustomed to breaking out the magnifying glass to figure out what …
