Tag Archives: credit card
What Are The Benefits of Prepaid Credit Cards?
Prepaid credit cards have become all the rage lately as these cards provide a valuable financial transaction service that many people have long since needed. Essentially, prepaid credit cards are not credit cards at all because they do not extend credit. That service is the ability to use a debit card wherever credit cards are accepted. Instead of advancing credit charges one draws from a finite amount of deposited cash. Now, some may consider this a somewhat unnecessary service, but when one examines the benefits of prepaid credit cards it becomes obvious that these cards have a great deal to offer.
For starters, prepaid credit cards are a great way to protect oneself from fraud. While we would all like to assume that the world is made up of honest people, it is not. As such, there have been a great number of instances where people have been defrauded of their credit card funds. This happens often online as a number of less than reputable sellers operating out of seemingly unknown locations in the world rip people off for their credit card information. Considering the following common scenario: a person finds a website selling used books and makes a purchase using credit card information and when the credit card statement arrives it is discovered that the $5 book purchase led to $2,000 of purchases with the provided (and compromised) credit card information. Now, a prepaid credit card would be quite beneficial in this instance or in any instance where one is purchasing from an unknown vendor. For example, one could keep a very minimal amount on the prepaid card (say $20) so that if it is compromised the losses will be minimal and the card can simply be discarded.
Also, these prepaid credit cards are the same as using cash to pay for items without having to carry cash around. This can provide a safety net so to speak if the card is lost or stolen. For example, if you record the account number of the prepaid card and the card ends up being lost you could quickly transfer the balance of the card to another account. This way, no money is lost. Now, if a wallet full of cash was lost then…oh well…it is gone forever. As such, the ability to replace cash with an alternate means of payment is always a huge positive particularly one that also has a threshold limit of spending much lower than a credit card as a lost credit card can prove even more calamitous than lost cash.
Another aspect of prepaid credit cards that is supremely beneficial is the fact that these cards are based on a finite amount of money as opposed to advancing money on a borrowed basis. For some, there is a lack of desire to amass credit card debt, but the need for a credit card in the modern world is generally unavoidable. Additionally, there will be those individuals who would like a credit card but for a number or reasons they are turned down due to bad credit, lack of credit, etc. In regards to these problems, these prepaid credit cards come in handy as they provide a solution to such a dilemma.
As one can see, prepaid credit cards have a host of benefits that speak volumes for the value of these cards. So, if worries about lost or stolen cash or credit cards, overextending oneself on credit or simply wanted to avoid the complexities of applying for a credit card, prepaid credit cards provide a simple, safe and sane solution. What better of an endorsement could one ask for than that?
Quick Fix to Bad Credit Score
A bad credit score is one thing that financially independent individuals should avoid. This is detrimental in many aspects of their financial lives. For instance, a bad credit score can void them of good jobs. This may sound unbelievable but indeed it is true. Many employers seek out those potential employees who do not have uncontrollable debt. This is because a bad debt can rid a person of his concentration. At work, an unfocused employee can cost losses in profits. This person would not be able to perform well thus possibly dragging the company down with him.
Another bad result of an undesirable credit score is disapproval of loans. Loans are critical for building ones life. A person needs loans for buying his own house. He needs it for owning a car, putting up a business and more. But with a bad score, all of his goals may not come true in a smooth manner. He can get approved on such loans only when his score is above 700.
A bad credit score is brought on by unpaid bills or late payments. This is usually the case in a massive credit card debt. People apply credit cards promotions and get hooked on spending. Before they know it, they are in too much debt. A lot of people disregard their pending payments. They only get surprised when they apply for a loan and their credit reports are shown.
However, there is a quick fix they can do to change their fate on loans. Note that credit bureaus have a method of scoring. One way is by checking a persons recent payment history. It means that what matters in their scoring is the recent payment activity of a person. Therefore, an individual can up his credit score by making recent on time payments.
For his credit card bills, he can opt for credit card balance transfer. When all of his credit card debt is in one place, he can make efforts to pay on time. It wont be as hard this time because of only one bill and one interest rate. Utility bills also matter so he should always look out for the deadline. He should pay before the due date just to make sure. Also he can cut off some of his unnecessary spending. This way he would have extra money for the payments.
Doing this for at least six months can increase his chances on a good credit score. After which he can then take on some loans.