If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to have your credit card sadistically cut up in front of your face by an overzealous shop assistant, you’ll understand the excruciating embarrassment that accompanies the event. But don’t fret, because there are ways to turn the situation around. All you have to do is save all the credit card cuttings, add them to the used credit card pile, and make your own clothes.
Image of credit card frog: Hhyaena
Every few years we lament the passing of our favourite plastic friends, which like many good friends can be the bane of our life or a blessing, so it’s good to know that there is an afterlife for credit cards. Whether they’re shredded, cut, sewn or painted, post-expiry-date cards, in the hands of artists, live to be appreciated from another perspective. Here we present the most creative pieces of credit card art for your pleasure.
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Image: Martin Kingsley
You could swear it was “just there a minute ago”, but it’s too late now, your laden wallet with all its precious contents is on the run, and you have mere minutes to engage in a little damage control before things get out of control.
Once the initial shock of noticing your wallet is missing wanes away, the aggravating realization that the entire contents of said wallet will have to be painstakingly replaced leaves a horrible sinking feeling, often reserved for the end of worlds… or when you’ve lost your phone! But it needn’t be that catastrophic; following these simple steps will ensure the whole debacle isn’t quite as disastrous as it seems.
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Just this week the Credit Letter Blog was invited to interview Choice Magazine’s Media Spokesman Christopher Zinn and report author Uta Mihm to coincide with their timely new Debt Relief Report which covers ways in which you beat the financial crisis and come out the other side financially on your feet.
Question: Extreme cases of consumers carrying up to $400,000 in credit card debt are extreme and hopefully very rare. Are there certain age groups, people groups who are more likely to develop major debt problems?
According to the latest government statistics: 19% of bankrupts were between the ages of 15 and 29, 27% were between the ages of 30 and 39 and 53% were over 40.44% of bankrupts were not employed at the date of bankruptcy (includes unemployed, pensioners, self-funded retirees and those engaged in unpaid domestic duties).
In the 12 month period immediately prior to bankruptcy, 4% of all bankrupts declared no income, 11% had an income of less than $10,000, 47% had an income between $10,000 and $29,999, 25% had an income between $30,000 and $49,999, 9% had an income between $50,000 and $69,999, and 4% had an income of $70,000 or higher.
Personal finance management no longer requires mountains of paper work, receipts and a calculator. Working out a budget, income, and expenditures needn’t be such a chore. It can in fact be useful to helping you cut back, see where your money is going, and how much is coming in. And now, you don’t even need to buy an expensive software package, one so often outdated by the time it has come sufficiently down in price to justify the investment.
No, now you can you can manage your personal finances and accounts from the comfort of your favourite web browser. It’s cheaper, easier, quicker, and often much more innovative than desktop based personal finance tools and software. By maintaining your accounts online you can utilise email, integrate your online banking access system, and make the whole process smarter and less stressful. So we recommend the following as the best browser-based personal finance management tools.
It’s two months into 2009 and it has also been a while since there’s been a post on this blog. Recently you’ll have seen that there have been various changes to the website, not least the new ability to search the site using Google. This makes it easier to find what you’re looking for – so go on, visit any page of the main site and give it a go.
Here are four new cards to mention:
St George Visa Debit – Here’s a card for anyone struggling to control their spending. Access your own money conveniently for online, phone and mail order purchases with the Visa Debit Card. Unlike a credit card, a debit card has no credit facility, so it offers you the convenience and security of Visa, using your own money.
Emirates Citi Platinum Card – Earn 1.5 Skywards Miles per $1 spent and start off with 5,000 bonus miles when you activate your card. Sign up for an Emirates Citi Platinum Card and enjoy the convenience and luxury of airport lounges, chauffeur drive service and platinum servicing while earning Skywards Miles towards your next Emirates flight.
Citibank Clear Platinum Card – Get a low 12.49% p.a. on purchases (especially since this is a platinum card) and a low annual fee of $85 p.a. This is a card that gives you 0% balance transfer for 6 months and cardholders also get to enjoy premium servicing and your own VISA concierge, plus free international travel insurance.
HSBC Low Rate Credit Card – The card has a revamped look and balance transfer of 2.99% p.a. for the first 6 months and a $0 annual card fee in the first year.
Ever since the App Store was opened to the public, developers from around the world have been working feverishly to write new applications for the iPhone to improve its already impressive capabilities. It is true that iPhone games are typically the most anticipated apps to be released and publicised. However, there is a plethora of other apps to explore, some of which have particular relevance to managing your personal finances.
So if you want to keep track of your personal stock portfolio, set a budget for the incoming month or even log your miles, there’s an iPhone app for you!
We’ve picked out six of the finest financial apps for your iPhone, many of which are free. So hit the store and get downloading!
Everybody wants to save money, that’s a given especially when it comes to shopping online for items for home and office. With the economy slowing and prices going up, it is more important than ever to budget and look to cut costs. But where do you find the deals? How do you find the best cheap places to shop online where your credit card or bank account won’t take a beating?
The Shopper’s Toolbox, collection of the best sites offering the cheapest deals online, can help you when times are tough!
The following covers each of the categories, as well as listing sites to look at and a brief description of what you will find there for those specific shopping needs. So take a look, and then take advantage of all the hot deals that you’ll find!
One of the biggest trends in credit cards now are rewards, where you get rewarded for making purchases with your card. Thes for of the reward is entirely dependent on the type of card that you choose, and there’s a wide range of credit cards with rewards programs out there too. Rewards range from air miles to cashback and shopping coupons to free music on iTunes.
One thing is for sure: you should not miss out on the opportunity to earn rewards and start saving yourself some money. Here are a few tips to help you select the right rewards card for you!
According to recent market data, young Australians are getting themselves into severe levels of personal debt. Australian financial information providers, Dun & Bradstreet, put it down to inflating interest rates, rising fuel costs, rising rents, HECS fees and greater availability and reliance of credit. Add to the mix, a youth mindset which says “buy now, pay it off later” in a culture increasingly addicted to instant gratification and we find ourselves with a huge problem.
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