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"Pakistan was once called the most allied ally of the United States. We are now the most nonallied."

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto



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Featured Credit Articles

Establish Credit and Join a Health Club
Everyone knows how difficult it can be to establish credit. It's the old "chicken and egg" situation - you need credit in order to get credit. The fact that you have nothing in your history to suggest that you will not repay a loan will not help you ...

No Credit Car Loans - Car Loan Approval With No Credit History
Getting an approval for a car loan when you have no credit history can often times be almost as difficult as getting a car loan approved when you have bad credit. There are things that can be done, however, which will improve your chances of finding a no ...

Play the Credit Card Game and WIN
Credit cards are fast becoming a blight on the American economy, but they also help stimulate growth. The problem comes when users are forced to (or voluntarily) overspend and begin the never ending cycle of paying less than the full balance on the credit ...




0% APR Credit Cards: Use Them To Your Advantage!
 
The era of 0% APR credit cards is still with us. Yes, you can obtain a spanking new credit card featuring a very low introductory interest rate and take advantage of what amounts to "free money" for you for up to one year. You can use your new card to your advantage, but you must be careful that you fully understand how a 0% APR credit card works to order to maximize its effectiveness. I will show you how, so please keep reading for all the informative details!

Soon after the new millennium started, interest rates began to drop to historically low levels. By 2002, loan rates for government funds dipped to just less than one percent, pushing consumer loan rates down with it as well. Credit card providers, seeing a terrific opportunity unfolding, immediately began to offer 0% APR credit cards to new card holders and even extended the offer to their current customers.

Today, interest rates have been climbing for two years, but 0% APR credit card offers are still available to you. Quite frankly, the entire lending business is very competitive and credit card providers are willing to forego interest for up to twelve months in order to get your business.

To maximize the effectiveness of 0% APR credit cards, there are a few things that you must know:

Limited Time Offer. 0% APR credit cards contain an introductory period lasting typically from six to twelve months. This means that anything you charge during that time will not accumulate interest. Go ahead and spread out your payments over several months: If you purchase something for $1000, you can make four equal payments of $250 interest free. Keep earning interest on your savings and let the credit card company fund your purchase!

Transfer Balances and Save Big! Many 0% APR credit card offers will allow you to transfer balances from your existing credit cards to your new card and waive transfer fees. If you owe $3000 on your current credit cards and are paying 19% interest on your balances, you could save nearly $600 in interest payments over twelve month's time!

Pay On Time. Do not be lulled into thinking that a 0% APR credit card doesn't require monthly payments. If you miss a payment or are late, you could find that your remaining balance is subject to interest charges and penalties as your card shifts to a default rate. Pay on time or kiss your 0% APR credit card rate goodbye!

Pay It All Off. In some cases, you must pay off your balance before the introductory rate period expires. If you don't, the default rate kicks in. Make certain that you clearly understand your card's terms.

Clearly, a 0% APR credit card has strong advantages for the person seeking to make new purchases as well as someone who wants to transfer their balances. Use a 0% APR credit card to your advantage and put some money back in your pocket!

About the author:

Ed Vegliante runs www.Credit-Card-Surplus.com,a credit card directory enabling the consumer to compare and apply for credit card offers including 0% APR Credit Cards .



Credit News


Bloomberg

Credit Suisse Posts First Loss in Three Years
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Bloomberg

Visa Profit Exceeds Estimates as Credit-Card Spending Rises
BusinessWeek
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Visa Profit Up 21% as Credit, Debit Card Use RiseseCreditDaily.com
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Bloomberg

Consumer credit surges in December
MarketWatch
By Greg Robb, MarketWatch WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Consumer credit popped for the second straight month in December, a sign that consumers are feeling more confident about their prospects and the economy. US consumers increased their debt in ...
Rising Consumer Credit-Sign of Improving Economy?Zacks.com
Consumer credit jumps by $19.3 billion in DecemberLos Angeles Times
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Kansas City Star

GOP Seeks To Deny Child Tax Credit To Undocumented Immigrants
Huffington Post
By ANDREW TAYLOR, AP WASHINGTON -- Republicans are looking to deny child tax credits to undocumented immigrants--refund checks averaging $1800--in an effort that has roused anger among Hispanics and some Democratic lawmakers. The proposal, which would ...
GOP targets child tax break for illegal immigrantsThe Associated Press
Republicans want to deny child tax credit to illegal immigrants to pay for ...Washington Post

all 220 news articles »

TSYS Signs Tinkoff. Credit Systems Bank to License PRIME 4
MarketWatch (press release)
Credit Systems Bank (TCS) has successfully upgraded to PRIME 4, the latest version of TSYS' card and merchant management solution. TCS introduced the first credit card monoline business in Russia using the PRIME platform to launch 1.7 million credit ...

and more »