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best-credit-cards-for-no-credit

Your Credit Card Balance Could Be Hurting Your Credit Scores

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Your Credit Card Balance Could Be Hurting Your Credit Scores

Welcome to part 1 of the HOPE4USA.com Credit Card Mastery Series.

In today's episode we will be covering the key ingredient which determines whether your credit cards will help your hurt your credit scores. That key ingredient? It's you.

Credit cards can be powerful credit building tools; however, credit card debt is never good for your credit scores or your wallet. Learn how to take control of your credit card debt once and for all - your credit scores and your wallet will thank you!

Visit HOPE4USA.com or follow us on Facebook during this informative weekly series so that you can learn how to turn your credit card accounts into powerful credit building tools. 


michelle-black-credit-expert

Michelle Black is an author and leading credit expert with nearly a decade and a half of experience, a recognized credit expert on talk shows and podcasts nationwide, and a regularly featured speaker at seminars across the country. She is an expert on improving credit scores, budgeting, and identity theft. You can connect with Michelle on the HOPE4USA Facebook page by clicking here. 


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5 Perks You Can Land If You Have Great Credit Scores

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5 Perks You Can Land If You Have Great Credit Scores

Everyone loves earning perks, benefits, and bonuses, right? Credit card reward programs, brand loyalty programs, and even grocery store discount cards are built upon this very concept. However, while most people can easily recognize the value of a credit card rewards program there are still many consumers who do not see the value of having high credit scores in the same light. That is a costly mistake.

The truth is that great credit scores can help you to score a lot of awesome perks. Check out the list below to help you start viewing the potential value available to you by maximizing your credit scores.

1. Saving with lower insurance premiums.

When you have excellent credit scores you can secure lower interest premiums. You may not be aware of this fact, but insurance companies routinely check credit scores when you apply for a new policy. In fact, your credit scores can even be more important than your driving record when it comes to determining how much an insurance company will charge you for an auto policy.

Earning great credit scores can pay off every single month in the form of money saved on insurance premiums. If your credit has improved since you took out your current insurance policy then it would be very advisable to talk to your agent or shop around to see if you now qualify for a better price on your insurance coverage.

2. Saving on deposits.

When you open a new utility account it is often common practice for the utility provider to check your credit in order to determine whether or not you will be required to put down a deposit for service. As a result when you apply for new electric service, gas service, cable service, or internet service having less than stellar credit scores can cost you. Additionally, when you apply for a new mobile phone account your credit will again be consulted not only to determine whether or not you will be required to put down a deposit for service but to also see whether or not you qualify for a new account at all.

3. Saving interest costs every month.

Did you know that financing a home with a questionable credit rating could realistically cost you nearly  $85,000 extra over the course of the loan? Purchasing a home with a credit score of 620 could cause you to pay an extra $235 per month on a $300,000 mortgage compared to what someone with a credit score of 740 would likely pay for the same loan. Over the entire course of a 30 year mortgage that is an extra $84,600 you would pay - a pretty expensive penalty for not having great credit scores.

If you have already overcome credit issues and have rebuilt great credit scores then you should take a look at your current loans (i.e. mortgage, auto, credit cards, personal loans, etc.). You may just qualify to refinance some of those loans at a lower rate and save yourself a bundle on interest.

4. Saving on vacations.

Having great credit enables you to land better credit card offers. Many credit cards offer exciting perks such as 0% interest on purchases for 12 months, generous airline reward miles which can be redeemed for free airfare, or even 0% financing with a specific resort or cruise line. However, the most attractive credit card offers are generally reserved for those consumers who have excellent credit scores. Achieving excellent credit scores can open the doors for you to cash in on some amazing vacation deals.

5. Saving face.

If you have ever applied for financing in the past and been turned down then you probably can recall a vivid memory of the red hot embarrassment which crept its way up your face when you heard the words, "I'm sorry, but your application was denied." Simply put, bad credit can be very bad for your self esteem and your sense of self worth, especially if you are the primary bread winner for your family. It is well worth the hard work required to build better credit scores just for the pay off of the added confidence you will receive once you know you never again have to worry about being turned down due to bad credit.

Earning Better Credit

It is completely possible to start earning better credit right away. However, just because it is possible does not mean that the process is easy. Earning better credit takes a solid plan, hard work, consistency, and patience. In fact, it is very advisable to seek the help of a reputable credit professional.

CLICK HERE to schedule a no-obligation credit analysis with a HOPE4USA credit expert. Our team can help you build a plan to achieve the better credit you deserve - either on your own or with our help every step of the way. You can also CLICK HERE to download our free HOPE4USA Credit Repair Tool Kit. 





hope4usa-michelle-black-credit-expert

Michelle Black is an author and leading credit expert with over 13 years of experience, the credit blogger at HOPE4USA.com, a recognized credit expert on talk shows and podcasts nationwide, and a regularly featured speaker at seminars up and down the East Coast. She is an expert on improving credit scores, budgeting, and identity theft. You can connect with Michelle on the HOPE4USA Facebook page by clicking here. 


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What Is the Best Credit Card Option for Someone with Bad Credit?

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What Is the Best Credit Card Option for Someone with Bad Credit?

It is important to understand that all plastic is not created equal. Because of this fact many consumers become very confused when trying to choose which type of credit card is best for them. Consumers with no credit or bad credit really only have 3 options to consider when deciding which credit card is best for them: the prepaid debit card, the unsecured subprime credit card, or the secured credit card. Here are a look at the pros and cons of all 3 card types.

Prepaid Debit Cards

When a consumer purchases a prepaid debit card she has the ability to load her own funds directly onto the card. The cards are relatively easy to find - they are available at gas stations, retail stores, and Western Union stores - and literally anyone can purchase them. A consumer does not fill out an application to receive a prepaid debit card, she simply buys it. Once the card is purchased and loaded with funds, it acts just like a gift card. A consumer can use all of the funds available on the card (minus any fees) and then either reload the card or trash it.

Although prepaid debit cards are easy to find and even easier to obtain, there are plenty of reasons to think twice before choosing to use a prepaid card. First, prepaid debit cards do not offer any credit building opportunities for consumers. Why not? The reason prepaid debit cards offer zero credit building opportunities is because prepaid credit cards are not included on credit reports. Ever. Period. If you have heard differently, you have heard wrong. Additionally, prepaid cards do not offer the same fraud protections available through traditional credit card accounts. If a consumer has a prepaid debit card stolen which was loaded with $200 then it is as if she just lost $200 in cash. Finally, although prepaid cards do not offer fraud protection or credit building opportunities, they can still be loaded with fees.

Unsecured Subprime Credit Cards

Another plastic option which is available to consumers with no credit or damaged credit is the unsecured subprime credit card. Unsecured credit cards are the most common type of credit cards. They must be applied for, an approval must be granted, and (if a consumer is approved) a credit limit is assigned to the account. Unlike prepaid debit cards, unsecured subprime credit cards do offer credit building opportunities since they typically report to all 3 of the major credit bureaus each month - Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian. Plus, if a consumer is approved for one of these accounts, she does not have to put down a large deposit in order to secure her new line of credit.

Unfortunately, the primary draw back when it comes to these types of credit cards is the fact that they are usually loaded with high interest rates and incredibly high fees. It is not uncommon for an applicant to be approved for an unsecured subprime credit card only to receive a card which is practically maxed out as soon as it is issued due to all of the initial fees associated with opening the account. CLICK HERE to read more about how high balances on credit card accounts are bad for credit scores.

Secured Credit Cards

The best option for consumers with bad credit or no credit is, without question, the secured credit card. Secured credit cards, like unsecured subprime credit cards, offer great credit building opportunities when managed properly. However, secured cards typically offer this credit building opportunity without the often astronomically high fees associated with unsecured subprime credit cards. They are actual credit cards, unlike prepaid debit cards, which usually report to all 3 credit bureaus.

When a consumer is approved for a secured credit card she is required to make a deposit with the issuing bank which will be equal to the credit limit on the card. For example, if a consumer makes a $300 deposit then she would receive a secured credit card with a limit of $300. The deposit, however, is not the same as loading funds onto a prepaid debit card. If the consumer charges $25 on her secured credit card then she is responsible to pay the funds to the bank as they are not merely deducted from her initial deposit. Secured credit cards also typically offer very easy qualification standards so it is relatively easy to qualify for a secured card even for consumers with no credit or damaged credit.

How to Choose

Regardless of which type of plastic you choose it is important to do your research first. Comparison sites like GreatCredit101.com allow consumers to view the rates and fees associated with multiple cards before they ever apply for an account. 


michelle-black-credit-expert

Michelle Black is an author and a credit expert with over a decade of experience, the credit blogger at HOPE4USA.com, a recognized credit expert on talk shows and podcasts nationwide, a contributor to the Wealth Section of Fort Mill Magazine, and  a regularly featured speaker at seminars up and down the East Coast. She is an expert on improving credit scores, credit reporting, correcting credit errors, budgeting, and recovering from identity theft. You can connect with Michelle on the HOPE4USA Facebook page by clicking here. 






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