Posts Tagged ‘credit’

Understanding College Credit Cards

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Sep 07 2010

Today credit cards are everywhere you look and even college students are great candidates for owning their own college credit cards. Many students are now living on their own or in dorms and need to learn to maintain their own expenses making college credit cards a necessity for many students.

College credit cards are basically just like regular credit cards. However, since college students do not have any type of credit history, they are usually unable to apply for and receive a regular credit card.

However, the question remains, why would a credit card company be willing to give college students credit cards if they have no way of paying back the money they charge on their college credit card?

Well, there are two very good reasons. Most credit card companies that offer college credit cards see a large opportunity in college student population. In fact, the majority of college students stay loyal to their credit card company even after they graduate from college.

It has also been reported that many college students will, in fact, pay on time and give the companies workable income. With the proper use of credit cards, college students can ensure they have good credit when the time comes for them to purchase a new car or new home.

College credit cards are usually preferred by most parents. They know their children may have the chance to overspend but they also know that with their own college credit card they will be building a stable financial future and receive other benefits that regular credit cards do not offer.

College students can use their cards to pay tuition fees. Some college credit cards even offer many unique benefits such as rewards if they pay their balances in a timely manner.

Most college credit cards also offer students lower interest rates as long as the college student maintains good grades. The use of credit can teach the importance of how to create and live on a budget and is great for parents that cannot afford to finance or manage all of their college student’s spending.

College student credit cards can also be set up by parents as pre-paid accounts; this way if the college student needs a little extra money, parents can always add to the credit card but ensure they use the credit card wisely and do not overspend.

The ultimate goal with college credit cards should be for students to learn how to use credit cards responsibly and to learn what they charge on their card is their responsibility.

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Are College Credit Cards For You?

accounting colleges | Posted by
Sep 04 2010

College credit cards are the credit cards that have been specially designed for college students. College credit cards are more popularly known as student credit cards. College credit cards allow the students to experience the benefits of credit cards much earlier in their life.


Through college credit cards, the college students are able to learn more about credit cards and their use. In fact, for most of the students, their college credit card is their first credit card that acts as a gateway to the world of credit cards.


Some other students might have previously used supplementary credit cards linked to their father’s credit card account; however, for such students too, their college credit card is the first one that is truly theirs.


College credit cards are not very different from other types of credit cards in the basic sense; they function in the same way as any credit card would. However, there are some differences, which basically arise from the fact that college credit cards are used by people who have no prior experience with credit cards and who perhaps don’t understand the concept of credit cards completely.


Hence, the credit card supplier is at risk with issuing credit cards (college credit cards) to such people whom he is not sure about. Most of the students don’t have a credit history either. In such a case, the supplier of college credit card cannot be sure of receiving the credit card bill payments in time (and even receiving them at all).


To counter such risks, the supplier of college credit card requires the parent of the student to co-sign the college credit card application form as a guarantee. Moreover, the credit limit on college credit cards is generally around $500-$1000 per month, which is lower than what it is for other credit cards (this credit limit is generally sufficient to fulfil the typical needs of a student).


Another risk mitigation instrument used by the college credit card suppliers is the interest rate or APR. The APR on college credit cards is generally higher than that for other credit cards. Again, this is done to dissuade the students from overspending on their college credit card (and finally not being able to pay their credit card bills).


However, if we were to look at these impositions in a positive sense, we would find that these are actually in favour of the student (who is still getting trained to take on the real world of credit cards). Moreover, college credit cards also help the students in establishing a (good) credit history which is another important benefit that becomes handy when the student needs any type of loan at a later stage in his/her life. So, college credit cards are really something that every student should consider going for.

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5 Credit Tips for College Students

accounting colleges | Posted by
Aug 26 2010

Some credit tips for college students

 

How we handle our credit determines to a large extent how secure we feel in our lives. College students are no exception to this rule. A large part of our financial lives depends on how good our credit ratings are. However, if students follow the credit tips mentioned below, they are less likely to face any serious problems.

 

1.      Follow a budget

 

Living on a budget is perhaps one of the most important credit tips for college students. . When a month begins, note down all your monthly expenses in the order of what you will need to pay first. Once you have fixed your priorities, pay the items from your income accordingly. Make sure that you do not spend any money on anything outside these categories till you have paid all your expenses first. Budgeting in this way serves another purpose. It increases your understanding of your own financial condition and dissuades you from spending money on unnecessary items. In this way, it reduces the possibility of a credit problem in the future.

 

2.      Begin a credit history

 

In order to begin your credit history, open your savings and checking accounts. In the next step, try using a student credit card – but only to make those purchases that you’d make anyway and then make full payments on time every month with the funds from your checking account. Daily transactions will gradually play a key role in your credit worthiness.

 

3.      One credit card only

 

Using only one credit card is also one of the most important credit tips for students. In fact, more than one credit is not required at all if you use it to make only planned purchases and pay it off every month. Although the limits start off quite low, they go up as you buy things and pay your bills on time. It has been observed over the years that a college student using more than one credit card is more likely to face credit troubles.

 

4.      Be responsible

 

It is also imperative that you act responsibly and pay your credit card bills on time. Remember that any failure to pay your bills on time will damage your credit for several years. So pay earlier if possible, but never late. Try to remain within the limits of your credit card as well.

 

5.      Check credit reports regularly

 

Remember that unscrupulous elements of this world won’t spare you just because you are a student. So make it a point to check your credit report regularly for any irregularities. You are entitled to check your credit report for free every year.

 

So these credit tips should be followed by every student if credit problems are to be avoided in the future.

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College Grads – Wave Goodbye To Credit Card Debt

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Aug 22 2010

As you leave college life behind, you’re probably carrying a lot more around with you than just a shiny new diploma. If you’re like most college grads, you’re carrying the burden of credit card debt—lots of it. In fact, the average college graduate leaves school with over $2,000 in credit card debt.

Sure, some of it might still be from the spring break trip your junior year, but most of it was probably racked up from school-related costs such as textbooks, school supplies, and food. No matter, debt is debt, and the worst kind of debt is from credit cards. You need to get rid of it as soon as you can. We know funds are tight, but by setting yourself up a payment plan, you too can quickly eliminate credit card debt.

Do more than just the minimum

With interest rates on credit card balances ranging as high as 18 to 23 percent, credit card companies would love for you just to pay the minimum amount every month. If you do this, the interest keeps compounding, and the credit card company keeps getting fatter as your debt rises. Put them on a diet; pay at least double the minimum every month on your balance. In a crunch? Who isn’t? Cut out a few of life’s everyday luxuries and you’ll find yourself with the extra cash to put towards your balance.

Bait and Switch

Credit card companies love to send out promotional offers for cards touting low or no interest balance transfers for a set amount of time. Don’t be so quick to toss them. With a little crafty maneuvering, you can make them work to your advantage. If you have one or more cards with balances incurring a high monthly interest rate, consider moving these balances over to this new low rate. It can save you a ton of money. But beware, most of these cards can hit hard after the promotional period ends, with rates that may be higher than what you’re paying now. But if you think you can pay off the balance within the promotion time, make the switch.

Sacrifice your savings
Sure, it sounds horrible, but draining your savings account is a great way to get out of debt. Put it this way: the miniscule amount of interest you’re getting from your savings account is nothing compared to what you’re paying in credit card interest. If only you could get an 18 percent return on your money! Pay that balance off in full, and it’ll save you big in the long run.

Get down and grovel

If times get really tough, consider asking for help from your family. It’s hard to say no to a family member, and you’ll probably get a pretty reasonable interest rate from them, as well. Just don’t go to the well too many times; you don’t want to be known as the freeloading relative. Be professional about asking for a loan, even suggesting a written agreement to show your family member how serious you are about paying them back.

Drop the “B-Word” on creditors

If you still can’t seem to make your payments, call your credit card companies and have a financial heart-to-heart with them. Tell them that your back is against the wall financially and you’re going to have to declare bankruptcy unless you can work out a plan with them. Credit card companies’ least favorite word is bankruptcy. If you go that route, they don’t get paid. They have no choice but to work with you. Ask for a lower interest rate and a slower repayment plan. While they’ll do everything they can to help, remember, you got yourself into this mess, you need to get yourself out.

Paid off? Stay that way

So you’ve begged and borrowed and somehow got your credit cards paid off. Now the challenge is to stay that way. First, rid yourself of surplus cards. You should only have one, two tops. Close out the rest of those accounts as soon as you get them paid off. You’ll be less tempted to use them, and fewer cards are easier to keep track of. The next step: stop using credit cards all together. Leave them at home, cut them up if you have to, but don’t use a credit card unless it’s an absolute emergency.

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College Grads – Wave Goodbye To Credit Card Debt

accounting colleges | Posted by
Aug 22 2010

As you leave college life behind, you’re probably carrying a lot more around with you than just a shiny new diploma. If you’re like most college grads, you’re carrying the burden of credit card debt—lots of it. In fact, the average college graduate leaves school with over $2,000 in credit card debt.

Sure, some of it might still be from the spring break trip your junior year, but most of it was probably racked up from school-related costs such as textbooks, school supplies, and food. No matter, debt is debt, and the worst kind of debt is from credit cards. You need to get rid of it as soon as you can. We know funds are tight, but by setting yourself up a payment plan, you too can quickly eliminate credit card debt.

Do more than just the minimum

With interest rates on credit card balances ranging as high as 18 to 23 percent, credit card companies would love for you just to pay the minimum amount every month. If you do this, the interest keeps compounding, and the credit card company keeps getting fatter as your debt rises. Put them on a diet; pay at least double the minimum every month on your balance. In a crunch? Who isn’t? Cut out a few of life’s everyday luxuries and you’ll find yourself with the extra cash to put towards your balance.

Bait and Switch

Credit card companies love to send out promotional offers for cards touting low or no interest balance transfers for a set amount of time. Don’t be so quick to toss them. With a little crafty maneuvering, you can make them work to your advantage. If you have one or more cards with balances incurring a high monthly interest rate, consider moving these balances over to this new low rate. It can save you a ton of money. But beware, most of these cards can hit hard after the promotional period ends, with rates that may be higher than what you’re paying now. But if you think you can pay off the balance within the promotion time, make the switch.

Sacrifice your savings
Sure, it sounds horrible, but draining your savings account is a great way to get out of debt. Put it this way: the miniscule amount of interest you’re getting from your savings account is nothing compared to what you’re paying in credit card interest. If only you could get an 18 percent return on your money! Pay that balance off in full, and it’ll save you big in the long run.

Get down and grovel

If times get really tough, consider asking for help from your family. It’s hard to say no to a family member, and you’ll probably get a pretty reasonable interest rate from them, as well. Just don’t go to the well too many times; you don’t want to be known as the freeloading relative. Be professional about asking for a loan, even suggesting a written agreement to show your family member how serious you are about paying them back.

Drop the “B-Word” on creditors

If you still can’t seem to make your payments, call your credit card companies and have a financial heart-to-heart with them. Tell them that your back is against the wall financially and you’re going to have to declare bankruptcy unless you can work out a plan with them. Credit card companies’ least favorite word is bankruptcy. If you go that route, they don’t get paid. They have no choice but to work with you. Ask for a lower interest rate and a slower repayment plan. While they’ll do everything they can to help, remember, you got yourself into this mess, you need to get yourself out.

Paid off? Stay that way

So you’ve begged and borrowed and somehow got your credit cards paid off. Now the challenge is to stay that way. First, rid yourself of surplus cards. You should only have one, two tops. Close out the rest of those accounts as soon as you get them paid off. You’ll be less tempted to use them, and fewer cards are easier to keep track of. The next step: stop using credit cards all together. Leave them at home, cut them up if you have to, but don’t use a credit card unless it’s an absolute emergency.

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Lowdown on Credit Cards for College Students

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Aug 20 2010

Are you a student pursuing a certain course in college? How do you pay for your college expenses? Surely you might be buying gifts for your loved ones or gifting your friends on their birthdays or other occasions. Also one needs to buy other commodities like T-shirts, books, and shoes from stores. Student credit cards can prove to be a boon for high school as well as college going students. There are many good reasons to have a credit card for college students simply for the benefits that they offer.


Benefits of Credit Cards for College Students


Credit cards do away with carrying a lot of money in your wallet, give insurance against purchases, allow you to shop online, and they also prove to be a sort of cushion in case of any emergencies. There are a few companies offering credit cards specially custom-made for college students. Most of the companies have their kiosks and stalls at college campuses advertising their products and providing card details to the students.


Credit cards help build a credit history for students. After graduation, a good credit history can help finance expenses for buying a new apartment or a new car. This is because companies often look at the summary of the credit report before allotting loans for a house or a car. Hence a good credit history can make availing a loan relatively easier. One should have a clean credit report in order to get the loans sanctioned. If the credit report contains a lot of unpaid bill summaries then it becomes difficult to avail a good loan and other associated benefits.


Disadvantages of a Student Credit Card


However credit cards also have their disadvantages. They carry high finance charges for unpaid bills at the end of the month. These finance charges can be as high as 20%. Also, there are yearly membership fees which range anywhere between $25 and $100. In addition, not paying expenses on time can lead to very high interest rates.


Hence it is better to buy a credit card for college students only if one has the capability to pay all the finance charges and the bill amount on time. Not paying finance charges and the unpaid bill amounts on time can lead to suspension of services and the student can get a bad credit report.


Tips for Selecting Student Credit Cards


You need to be aware of some basic rules for buying a college student credit card.
-First, read all the conditions carefully before signing on the dotted line.
-Get answers about how much interest rate the card carries as well as the interest rate for cash advances.
-Study the penalties or interest rates to be paid if the bills are not paid on time.
-It is also better to use a debit card instead of a credit card. This is because with a debit card, the amount is deducted from the account where funds are already deposited from the beginning. Hence subscribing to a debit card ensures that you can’t spend more than the money you have in your account.
-You should use a credit card only if you are certain that you will be able to pay the debts on time. As far as possible, cash should be used for buying items. One should use a credit card only for emergency purchases.
-It is better to get only one card from a company after comparing the services provided by all companies. Do not get two or three credits cards from different companies as it leads to a lot of hassles like remembering the due dates for paying bills, extravagant expenses, etc.


Hence, as mentioned before, students should buy credit cards only if they have the capacity to pay all bills on time and also exercise control on their spending habits. Student credit cards help teach teens how to handle credit. Also, credit cards for college students allow them to build a good credit history if a student credit card is used in moderation.

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Creating and Maintaining your Credit With a College Student Credit Card

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Aug 13 2010

There are a surprising number of students in college these days who do not have a credit card in their own name. This is a huge mistake and can make life after graduation even tougher than it needs to be, especially in today’s very competitive job market.

Why is that? Because credit is something that needs to be firmly established and maintained in order to do just about anything these days. After graduation, you are going to have a whole new set of problems to resolve, like finding a job, finding a place to live, perhaps relocation, and if you wait until that point in your new life to begin establishing your credit history and credit score, you are going to be way behind the eight ball.

Remember that a credit score is used for much more than just to be approved for a car loan or a new account at a department store. More and more these days, a credit score and credit history are being used when applying for a new job. If multiple candidates are all equally qualified for a position, more often than not, the one with the better credit score will be the one who lands the job. Even if there are not multiple candidates for the job, you can be assured that a credit check will be run on you, and if you have NO credit history, that is a negative.

Or how about the fact that you are now off on your own and probably no longer listed on your parent’s car insurance policy, so you need to get your own car insurance. Yes you guessed it, more and more car insurance companies are running a credit check on you to find out what insurance rates they should quote you. If you have bad credit or no credit, you can expect your car insurance rates to be “sticker price”.

Be aware of what is going on in today’s world with credit histories and credit scores and get a jump on the game. When you are in college or even before then is the best time to get a credit card in your own name that you are solely responsible for. In addition to establishing your credit, it will also teach you financial management.

From the financial management perspective, you need to make sure that you pay at least the minimum payment each month on time. If your payment is due on the 10th, do not mail the payment on the 8th and expect to not be charged a late fee. It takes several days for the mail to travel these days, and once it arrives at its destination, it can take another day or two to be opened by the accounting office clerk and posted to your account. If it’s not posted by the due date, regardless of when you mail it, it is late.

Keep your credit card account in good standing and that will be your best asset to establishing and maintaining good credit. Be cautious of where and when you use your card, since the temptation will be to “impulse buy” because you have “free money” via your credit card. It is NOT free money, and the first time you get a statement showing how much interest you paid, that fact will hit home fast.

Getting your credit history and credit score established when you start college or even before is the best way to have a jump on this very important part of your life. It takes work to maintain a good credit score but doing so will pay off in spades in the long run.

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Establishing Credit as a College Student

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Aug 12 2010

Some college students shy away from credit altogether in effort to be financially responsible. The prospect of becoming trapped under the weight of unmanageable credit card debt can be quite daunting, and many students are not confident in their ability to manage debt responsibly. Though refraining from opening a credit account in effort to remain debt free can seem like a sound financial choice, a lack of credit can be detrimental in the future as having a solid credit history becomes increasingly important.

Contrary to commonly held perceptions, having a credit card does not necessarily equate to spending beyond one’s means and falling prey to mounds of debt. Managed responsibly, a credit card can be utilized as an instrument to build an excellent credit score that will expand the financial options available to a student in the future. Without credit history and an acceptable credit score, it may be difficult to impossible to get a car loan, obtain cellular phone services, and buy or even rent a home.

Your credit score is a numerical rating of your repayment history that lenders use to ascertain the risk of lending to you. Establishing a good credit score will allow you not only to get approved for a student loan, vehicle financing and other types of loans you may pursue in the future, but will help you qualify for better interest rates, equating to true dollar savings in the long run.

Like it or not, your credit score remains with you, so it is best to be conscientious and make effort to boost it from the beginning. Your FICO credit score is calculated based on your track record of making timely payments on accounts (35%), the ratio of account balances to available credit (30%), the length of your credit history (15%), new accounts and applications (10%) and the mix of the types of credit you use (10%). As you can see, a majority of your credit score is calculated based on your history of making payments on accounts on time. Staying up to date on all accounts, including credit card bills, loans, utility accounts and cell phone services, will contribute positively to your credit score over time. Even during months when you are short on funds, making a partial payment on time is better than making no payment at all before the due date. Almost as important as having a solid payment history is managing the levels of your total debt vs. the total amount of credit you have available. Some common sense is in order here—an outstanding credit card balance of $1,900 is worse on a card with a $2,000 limit than it is on a card with a $10,000 credit limit.

Waiting until you are ready to buy a house or a vehicle a few years from now to start paying attention to your credit score will likely result in disappointment. Building good credit involves responsibly handling all of your financial responsibilities and debt consistently over time. Managed wisely, a credit card can be a valuable tool for building credit or improving your credit score. Even with a good credit score, you can be denied loans because your credit history is not lengthy enough. Practicing financial responsibility with all accounts will provide a solid foundation on which you can build your credit score over time.

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Did You Know That You Can Get a College Credit Card?

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Aug 10 2010

As its name would suggest a college credit card is simply a credit card which has been specifically designed for college students and which is perhaps more commonly known as a student credit card. The idea behind student credit cards is that they allow students to learn all about credit cards and to experience the benefits of credit cards early in their lives. In effect, a college credit card is an introduction to the world of credit cards and, although s student may have had experience of using a supplemental card on a parent’s credit card account, represents the first credit card which the student will have in his own right.

To all intent and purpose college credit cards operate in exactly the same way as normal credit cards but there are a few differences which you need to know about. These differences arise because the credit card companies are taking something of a risk by extending credit to people who will generally not have any credit history and thus need to protect themselves from the increased risk of debt on student credit cards.

The first important difference is that the credit card companies require a parent or guardian to co-sign the student’s application for a card, so that the parent or guardian is aware that the student is applying for a line of credit, and will also require the parent or guardian to stand as guarantor for the account. In other words, if the student defaults on the card then the parent or guardian will be legally liable to make good on the debt.

The second difference with a student credit card is that the credit limit is set at a lower level than that seen on normal credit cards and typically at between $500 and $1,000. This limit is also set at a reasonably low level because this is considered to be sufficient to meet the needs of the vast majority of college students.

Finally, the credit card companies also offset their risk by setting the interest rates on college credit cards (the card’s APR) higher than normal to try to stop students from overspending on their cards and to encourage them to keep their spending within the amount which they can afford to pay off each month.

On the surface college credit cards may not seem very attractive to those of us who are used to using normal credit cards but in fact they can be a very useful tool for teaching youngsters to handle credit responsibly and have the added benefit of providing students with the ability to build up a good credit record, which they will find very useful once they leave college.

College is a very expensive time for most students and there are very few students who will make it through college without a mix of parental support, grants and scholarships, federal loans, private loans and a part-time job. This is hard enough in itself to manage and all too many students have problems coping with this and end up having to refinance their loans, often through student loan consolidation. If we now add a credit card into the equation we might just be providing the straw that breaks the camel’s back for some students.

Whether or not college credit cards are a truly good idea or simply another marketing ploy by the credit card companies is something which you must judge for yourself but, whatever your view, they are certainly something which must be approached with both eyes open.

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Credit Acceptance Announces Second Quarter 2010 Earnings

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Aug 06 2010

Credit Acceptance Announces Second Quarter 2010 Earnings
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Credit Acceptance Corporation announced consolidated net income of $49.0 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to consolidated net income of $36.2 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, for the same period in 2009.

Read more on GlobeNewswire via Yahoo! Finance

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