Credit Information

Which Credit Card?





Bewildered by the sheer variety of debit cards and credit cards? Here is a breakdown of some of the main types of debit and credit cards available:

Debit card

You can use a debit card to buy goods and services. A debit card is very much like a cheque, unlike a credit card, you pay for goods straight away and the money comes out of your account quickly. The amount you spend using a debit card is immediately deducted from your current account.

A debit card allows you to make purchases whereby the money is taken straight from your current account, the benefit of a debit card is that your finances are kept up to date immediately, without having to wait for a monthly bill as is the case with a credit card.

Your banking institution issues you with a debit card. Debit cards offer less protection than credit cards in the event of a billing dispute. In addition, if your debit card is stolen, it is possible that your debit card account could be emptied. Most debit cards have a Switch/Delta/Solo/Electron symbol on them. If you become overdrawn you will pay interest on the amount due.

Cash card

This lets you take out money from a cash machine (ATM). To use it, you'll need a Personal Identification Number (or PIN) which your bank sends you. Each time you use your card at a cash machine, you'll need to key in this number.

Credit card

A credit card lets you buy goods and services up to a set limit before you pay for them. A credit card represents a loan agreement where you are offered credit, providing you pay off a minimum amount each month. You can charge purchases up to the amount of your credit limit and pay for them later.

If you clear your balance in full each month, you don't pay any interest on the money you have spent. But, if you don't, you'll normally have to pay at least 3-5% of the balance, and interest will be charged on the outstanding balance. Some cards charge you an annual fee.

A credit card allows you to live now and pay later. When you successfully apply for a credit card, you will be advised of your credit limit. Ensure you stay within it, as exceeding it could result in either your card taken away from you or being charged interest on the extra credit you incur.

Charge Card

This is very similar to a credit card, although the monthly balance must be paid in full. An example of a type of charge card would be an "American Express" card.

Cheque guarantee card

If you're paying for goods or services with a cheque, you'll probably be asked for a cheque guarantee card. This means the bank will normally pay your cheque up to the amount guaranteed.

Store Card

A restricted form of credit, store cards act as credit cards in those shops that the card is accepted. Purchases are made using the card, and then a consolidated bill is sent at the month's end, which is then settled in a manner similar to a credit card.

Deciding which plastic card to use can be confusing but it can help you to reach a decision if you know what you want to use the card for.

If you just need it as a substitute for carrying cash, rather than use a credit card, you may as well use a debit card, which takes the money from your bank account directly.

If you like to pay your balance off each month, a charge card might suit you.

If you want to pay off your debt in instalments, choose a credit card.

You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:

About The Author
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.


MORE RESOURCES:

Bloomberg

US Consumer Credit Climbed by $19.3B in Dec.
Bloomberg
Enlarge image Consumer Credit in US Climbed by $19.3 Billion in December Consumer Credit in US Climbed by $19.3 Billion in December Daniel Acker/Bloomberg College graduation in New York. Play Video Enlarge image Consumer Credit in US Climbed by $19.3 ...
Consumer Credit in US Climbed by $19.3 Billion in DecemberBusinessWeek
Credit-Card Borrowing Surged Over Holiday PeriodWall Street Journal (blog)
Consumer credit surges in DecemberMarketWatch
Huffington Post -Reuters
all 250 news articles »


Business Recorder

CREDIT MARKETS: Treasurys Auction Dim; Ford ABS Doubled
Wall Street Journal
The new senior secured notes are being sold in a private placement scheduled to wrap up Wednesday via lead banks JP Morgan, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.
Against Risk Parity, ReduxSeeking Alpha

all 217 news articles »


AFP

China Credit Cards, Danish Loans, Mortgage Deal: Compliance
BusinessWeek
7 (Bloomberg) -- China's decision to allow Citigroup Inc. to issue credit cards in its own name may signal a step toward the government in Beijing opening its banking industry. New York-based Citigroup is the second foreign bank, and the first Western ...
Citigroup Gets Approval for China Credit CardsWall Street Journal
China c.bank says to ensure credit for first-home buyersReuters
Citigroup to launch credit cards in ChinaAFP
San Francisco Chronicle -Minyanville.com
all 207 news articles »


THL Credit Schedules Fourth Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call
MarketWatch (press release)
BOSTON, Feb 7, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- THL Credit, Inc. /quotes/zigman/117928/quotes/nls/tcrd TCRD 0.00% ("THL Credit"), a middle market capital specialist, today announced that it will report its financial results for its fiscal fourth ...

and more »


Wink News

LA Mayor Villaraigosa Launches 2012 Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Program ...
California Newswire
/California Newswire/ — LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and community partners today launched the Greater Los Angeles Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign Partnership, an annual effort to help qualified low and moderate-income families claim the tax ...
Barry Dolowich: Earned income tax creditMonterey County Herald
Don't overlook a federal tax creditDelmarva Now
2011 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Benefits Working Families With Up to ...MarketWatch (press release)
Los Angeles Daily News
all 279 news articles »


CBS Local

Tax credit expiration could slow wind's rise in Ill., but still plenty to export
McDonough Voice
By Anthony Brino The federal tax credit that has supported wind energy for almost 20 years is set to expire at the end of 2012. With this expiration looming, the future of the industry in Illinois — one of the top producers of wind energy in the ...
Colorado congressional delegation pushes for wind energy tax creditDenver Post
Production Tax Credit Impact on Wind Farm AftercareRenewableEnergyWorld.com
Colo. lawmakers urge extension of wind-energy creditNorthern Colorado Business Report
CBS Local -Quincy Journal
all 155 news articles »


Baltimore Sun (blog)

Tax credit to speed Senator Theatre renovations
Baltimore Sun (blog)
Martin O'Malley announced Tuesday that they would receive $300000 in a 2012 Sustainable Communities Tax Credit — administered by the Maryland Historical Trust and known previously as the Historic Tax Credit — to rehabilitate the movie house, ...

and more »


Ford Credit ABS Issue Doubled To $2.3 Bln -Source
Wall Street Journal
The auto maker, through its Ford Credit unit, will use the proceeds to finance auto dealer inventory. Including subordinated bonds, the issue had climbed to $2.3 billion from $1.15 billion, the person close to the issue said. Auto-related issues--bonds ...

and more »


Telegraph.co.uk

Why Credit Card Rates Remain So High
Smartmoney.com (blog)
But new data shows borrowers still pay double-digit rates on one consumer staple — credit cards. The average interest rate credit card holders paid during the fourth quarter 2011 was 12.78%, according to Federal Reserve data released today.
DailyMarkets.com Announces Winners of Best Credit Cards 2012 GuideSan Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Give your card some creditTelegraph.co.uk
8 Tips for Picking the Right Rewards CardCredit Card Guide News
Forbes -TCU 360 -The Consumerist
all 27 news articles »


Restricting Tax Credits
New York Times
31): A recent government report reveals that in 2010, the Internal Revenue Service awarded $4.2 billion in taxpayer dollars to illegal immigrants through the refundable additional child tax credit. That's just wrong. American taxpayers should not have ...
Money Tips: Answers to Your Child Tax Credit QuestionsCredit Unions Online
Seven things to know before tackling your 2011 tax returnMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Children of Immigrants Targeted by Tax Warfare in CongressIn These Times

all 12 news articles »

Google News

Home | Site Map |
© 2007