Many people believe that frequent online shopping can lead to identity theft. However, online shopping is safe for the most part, and purchasing items online can save you a significant amount of time and money. I have made hundreds of online purchases, and to this day I have not incurred one instance of attempted identity theft.
But the risk of identity theft does exist. Though it is no more riskier than using an ATM, you should absolutely take precautions when shopping online.
Over the past few months, one thing has become abundantly clear as far as currency is concerned: the Australian dollar continues to grow stronger and stronger against the US dollar. By the end of 2012, many financial analysts are predicting the Australian dollar could reach US $1.10.
What exactly does this mean for us? As an Australian resident, this may not seem incredibly life changing, but if you have been thinking about going on holiday or wish you could afford an overseas paradise getaway, this blog might be just the encouragement you need to take action.
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Here at Credit Card Compare, we’ve got lots of great travel information for you. But, we don’t know it all and when it comes to travel, there’s an overload of information to choose from. Who has the expert advice you need? Here are some of our favourite travel websites we believe you should know about.
Nobody wants to be in a bad seat, whether it’s a short hop or a long flight, being stuck in the middle seat of row of five on a 17-hour flight is perhaps one of the most intolerable situations one can be in. Avoid bad seats on long haul flights with these easy tactics.
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They say that you never really know when it’s the right time to have a baby, so for many it’s “ready or not, here he or she comes.” If you are finding yourself in this situation, it is extremely important that you begin saving for your new child. Too many new parents focus on the immediate and do not plan for the future, but understanding the many milestones that are now ahead will help ensure that your family is prepared financially for the new addition to the family. There are three major milestones that require you to start saving right away:
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Most people will tell you that loyalty doesn’t mean much these days when it comes to the airline industry; I agree. But you can’t discount those points and miles programs offhand, because in the end, making simple adjustments to your spending behaviour – paired with a bit of advance travel planning – can result in almost-free flights. (You’ve got to pay those taxes and fuel surcharges, remember?)
Yes, dealing with the airlines’ myriad of fees, blackout dates, and tormenting call centres certainly can get the best of anyone, but take a deep breath, because those free-ish flights are worth it!
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More and more employees are beginning to feel the telecommuting bug. In fact, if you read our recent post on the best cities to visit and work remotely from, then you might be a new convert to the idea. And it doesn’t take a genius to work out why working remotely is gaining popularity so quickly. Imagine it’s a nice day outside and the chair you’ve been sitting in for seven hours is getting less and less comfortable. It’s just then when the realisation hits and you ask: why can’t I just do this from home?
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Virtual credit cards may not be well-known or simply dismissed as too much extra work, but each time another story of hacking makes the news, consumer peace of mind is a little further eroded. Shopping online is gradually becoming more popular here in Australia, although we’re still behind the UK and USA. However, when a credit card number is given to a retailer and entered into that company’s files, the opportunity for fraud and theft is dramatically increased. Virtual credit cards are a smart answer to this frustrating and potentially financially damaging problem.
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You love your spouse unconditionally, but you don’t love the spending habits. You open a bill for an expensive shopping spree and you can’t help but tell yourself, “she has such a great smile” or “he is so loving to the children” – anything to keep you from screaming. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common occurrence for many Australians, and in many cases can tear a marriage apart.
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Just when you’re feeling down about your credit card debt, along comes a story about a million dollar a year celebrity who is going through the same thing! You can’t help but think to yourself, “I would never be in debt if I had that much money”. Believe it or not, this is a more common occurrence than most realise. And it proves that many who get into debt clearly do not have a problem surviving; they simply have a problem with self-control. These celebrities can survive without spiraling into debt, and there is a good chance that you fall into this same category. Unfortunately, many find it difficult to put down the credit card and stop buying stuff they don’t need – like a Ferrari.
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This easy to read eBook will teach you, step by step, how to reduce your credit card debt and eventually be free from it!
David Boyd
Andrew BoydYou are reading The Credit Letter blog where we share money saving tips and advice about credit card offers. If you would like to contribute an article, click here or you can find more info about us here.
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