Written by Jai Borchgrevink on December 30, 2011.
When used responsibly, credit cards are an incredibly convenient and efficient method of payment. Nevertheless, some credit card users get in trouble when they fail to make accurate and timely payments. Fortunately, most banks now offer electronic bill payment systems. When used correctly, these systems enable customers to reliably pay their credit card bills on time each month.
The Two Ways To Pay Credit Card Bills Electronically
When it comes to paying bills online, credit card users have two options. They can use the bill payment feature that credit card issuers have built into their web site, or they can use the website of the bank that holds their checking account. When using their card issuer’s web site, the transaction is initiated by the recipient of the funds, the institution that issued the credit card. Those who hold credit cards from multiple banks will then have to log on to, and learn the interface for each bank.
On the other hand, most banks that offer checking accounts now provide free online bill payment. I
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Written by Benjamin Woods on December 18, 2011.
Havent got your shopping done for the holidays? Well, youre not the only one (Cough, Cough, points at self). Yes, yours truly hasnt finished his holiday shopping either. Soon Im going to be one of the many mobbing the malls trying to finish off those gifts we forgot to cross off the list. As much as December is prime time for buying gifts, it also is for theft. To prevent your credit card and holiday gifts from being under some thiefs Christmas Tree this year, we have some tips to help.
When Out Shopping
- If you are carrying a wallet, make sure that it is in a tight pocket (Such as pants) rather than a jacket pocket. Its a lot easier for a thief to grab your wallet without you noticing from your jacket.
- Carrying a purse?
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Written by Hugo Pethebridge on December 15, 2011.
Since its peak at 59.7 in February, the ISM nonmanufacturing index has been trending downwards. Although its business activity component improved sharply in July, the index declined to 52.7, which was the lowest level since February 2010. As the new orders component dropped to 51.7, we expect the ISM non-manufacturing index to have followed suit and declined to 51.5 in August. It would thus have remained above the expansion threshold, just like its manufacturing counterpart, which – contrary to expectations – fell only slightly from 50.9 to 50.6 in August.
The Fed’s Beige Book is likely to describe the pace of economic growth to have moderated further, especially since manufacturing activity is slowing in many regions, despite a possible pickup in car production. Consumer spending could have increased modestly, amid consumer confidence indicators having plummeted and the labour market conditions being weak. Price
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Written by Benjamin Woods on December 9, 2011.
Students social security numbers are listed on many college documents, such as student ID’s, report cards, and loans. Students need to be very careful and aware of their surroundings because methods of identity theft range from taking information out of the trash to cyber-crimes. College campuses are a more open environment with many people wandering around, who may not be students. Students are more prone to having friends coming in and out of dorm rooms, fraternity houses, etc. In addition, universities and colleges databases have been hacked, which shows that thieves find value in that information.
Tips to avoid identity theft
Here is a list of tips to avoid being a victim of identity theft:
Shred documents with personal information such as credit card statements, bank statements, credit card offers, bills, unused checks, and old financial documents.
Get a Post Office Box for your mail or have sensitive information sent home. M
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Written by Hugo Pethebridge on December 9, 2011.
During a recent experience to forget with WalMart.com and its customer (dis)service department, I happened upon something likely to be quite interesting to both American Express and anyone using an American Express small business credit card.
It all started when a WalMart representative informed me that my digital gift card order had not been completed as a result of a problem with my credit card. I, of course, reacted by immediately flipping the card over and calling the number listed on the back for Amex’s 24/7 small business customer service department…or so I thought.
However, instead of hearing the warm greeting, “Thank you for calling American Express Open,” I was met with the following:
The number you have dialed has new information. Please press “star” to receive information on the number you are calling.
Luckily for me, I was driving and could not press the button immediately. Believing t
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Written by Jai Borchgrevink on December 7, 2011.
Christmas shoppers who are hitting the shops with a credit card to buy gifts for their friends and family are more likely to be spending money on women than they are on men, new research has revealed.A survey conducted by insurance provider More Than found male and female Brits both plan on spending more money on grandmothers, mothers, mother-in-laws and sisters than their male counterparts.Children will still be prioritised above all others, with the national average spent on kids standing at £104.Sons and daughters in the south-east may only receive £84 worth of presents, but those in the north-east will receive almost double this if their mums and dads budget for the regional average of £164 on their offspring.Pets will not be left out of the celebrations as around £16 worth of toys and treats will be waiting under the tree for the dog to enjoy.”Even with the squeeze on family budgets, people are clearly still investing a lot of time and money into selecting the perfect gifts for their nearest and dearest,” commented head of home insurance for More Than Matt Pernet.However, if individuals wish to avoid financial difficulties such as a bad credit rating when the festive period is over, they ought to take care with their finances and not spend beyond their means.Head of banking at price comparison site MoneySupermarket.com Kevin Mountford advised people “keep a sensible head under their Santa hat”.Research conducted by his organisation found one in four UK adults have set a budget, but expect to exceed its limit.Despite tight budgets and money concerns exacerbated by the current economic climate, many will still be helping maintain a festive community sprit.This is because the More Than study indicated a third expect to give their childs teacher a present to express their gratitude for their work and 23 per cent of Brits intend to visit their neighbours
Written by Hugo Pethebridge on December 2, 2011.
Networking is a huge component of being a successful entrepreneur. When you’re working alone or you’re a small business owner, you don’t get to enjoy working with a lot of colleagues. You have to put yourself out there in order to find more people to work with and work for. You may have previously turned down networking events such as conferences, happy hours, and trade shows, but you’re missing out on valuable contacts. Maybe you’re afraid you’ll fail, but networking is a lot easier than you may think. Here are a few tips on networking successfully:
Don’t Try to Go to Everything
One of the best things to keep in mind when you’re networking is not to stretch yourself too thin. There’s literally an event going on everyday, and you simply don’t need to go to them all. Some will be full of opportunities, and some will be lacking. Find the ones that best represent your niche and your target audience. Also, find an event that fits your budget. There are a few con Full Post…