The BankAmericard Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card from Bank of America is a pretty straightforward cash back rewards credit card with three introductory perks that make this card one of the better options for consumers looking for an easy to use cash back card.

The first perk offered to new cardmembers is a $50 statement credit. In order to earn this, you simply need to spend $100 within 60 days of opening your account. This shouldn’t be hard and it is one of the easier promotional cash back bonuses to attain.

The second perk, and the reason the BankAmericard Cash Rewards Visa is a great option for families, is a special 6 month 3% cash back promotion. The reason I consider this to be a great perk for families is that the 3% cash back is earned on grocery, gas, and drug store purchases (all other purchases earn 1%). Since groceries are typically the largest weekly expense outside of housing for many families, this 3% cash back can really add up. (more…)

For some Americans, credit cards provide a great, easy payment method and help them earn money, sometimes hundreds of dollars a year, with rewards. For many others, credit cards are the source of grave financial problems. Here are some smart credit card tips to help you become a person who benefits from credit cards.

Never Charge More Than You Can Afford and Always Pay Your Bill In full: This should really be a no brainer when it comes to credit card usage, but so many people do not think before swiping their plastic. Before each credit card purchase ask yourself do I really need this item and can I afford it. If you can’t afford it, walk away from the purchase.

Next, always pay your credit card bill in full, each and every month. This is the number one thing a responsible credit card user does. When you leave a balance, that is when you start paying interest and in turn your credit card debt begins to grow.

Use 0% APR Credit Cards:  If you have gotten yourself into credit card debt and then you should strongly consider using a 0% balance transfer credit card to consolidate your credit card debt and reduce interest expenses. If you go with a balance transfer card, make sure you cut spending and come up with a plan to pay off your card as quickly as possible.

If you don’t have credit card debt, but need to take on debt to fund a large purchase or get you through a rough period, then you may want to consider a 0% APR credit card for purchases. However, be sure to develop a plan that will let you repay your credit card debt before the 0% APR ends and the regular interest rate kicks in. (more…)

Each day we are inundated with credit card offers. Whether we see ads on line or they come in the mail, there are numerous options for us to choose from. Many credit card offers come with some type of introductory offer, whether it be a balance transfer deal or a low introductory interest rate or more. The question is, are these introductory offers worth it? Or will you actually be paying more in the end?

What You Need To Look For in 0% Introductory Offer

When it comes to introductory balance transfer credit cards, the buyer needs to beware, or at least be cautious. Never go on the face value of what is in bold print. Instead, you will have to dig deeper and read the fine print in order to find out what the credit offer really entails.

Many cards will offer a balance transfer introductory deal with 0% interest, for example. On these 0% APR credit cards you will need to find out exactly how long the low rate will last. Next, when the intro rate has expired, what will you be paying then? While that introductory time period might have been great, it will eventually expire and on some cards your interest will return to a level similar to what you are currently paying. (more…)

Disputing errors on your credit report is a situation that most consumers will have to deal with at some point in their lives. If you don’t correct errors, it can cause your credit score to decrease lower than necessary, which can prevent you from getting approved for credit card offers, mortgages, car loans, and even cause problems renting an apartment or getting a new job.

How to Find Errors On Your Credit Report

Before you can dispute errors, you have to find out if there are any! Each year, federal law ensures that consumers can get a free copy of their credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus, TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. You have the option of getting all three reports at the same time, or you can order one at a time. It’s recommended that you get a copy of your report from one of the credit bureaus every four months, so you can keep an eye on any changes that may occur to your report throughout the year.

Visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to get a copy of your report. If your report is error free and you want to see your credit score, you can get free credit scores by signing up for a trial, but you must cancel to avoid charges.

Review the Report for Errors

When you receive your credit report, go over it carefully to make sure all of the accounts listed are in fact yours, that there are no indications of late payments if you haven’t made any late payments, and so on. If you see any mistakes or accounts that do not belong to you, you’ll need to dispute the error to have it corrected. (more…)

One of the biggest expenses a family will face is their grocery shopping bill. Even for families who eat the majority of their meals at home, the costs for feeding a family can be staggering. The healthier you eat, the more you seem to pay for the food! Buying food is an expense we simply can’t remove from our budgets, but there are some strategies for reducing your grocery shopping bill and for using grocery rewards programs on credit cards to help your money stretch even further.

Two Types of Grocery Rewards Credit Cards

The first type of grocery rewards credit card will provide cash back on your credit card statement for your grocery store purchases. Some cards will provide the cash back percentage on any grocery or convenience store purchase; while others only give you cash back when shopping at a specific retailer. In general, a store specific card is not the most desirable of credit card offers, as it forces you to shop at only one place in order to earn rewards.

The second type of grocery cash back credit card gives you rewards points whenever you use the credit card. The rewards can be used for grocery purchases, or in some cases, other types of retail shopping – depending on the card. For most cards, you receive one point for every dollar spent, although you may find some cards which provide additional points for grocery shopping or gasoline when compared to points received for other types of purchases. Additionally, it is possible to find a 0% APR credit card that offers cash back on groceries, which you can use to reduce interest expenses with via balance transfers.

Reduce the Grocery Bill

If you commit to using a grocery rewards credit card for all of your food shopping, you’ll start seeing the rewards build up and save you money. Remember to pay your grocery credit card in full each time you receive the statement, otherwise the interest you pay carrying a balance from month to month will offset the savings received through the rewards program.

Here are some additional tips to reducing the grocery bill:

Plan your family meals around what’s on sale at your grocery store

• Stockpile non-perishables or items which can be frozen, whenever they are on sale and can be purchased with coupons
• Choose fruits and vegetables based on what’s in season (they’re less expensive); and visit farmer’s markets when they’re open for less expensive produce. Grow your own if you can.
• Choose generic brands instead of name brands for quality food at lower prices. The only time it may pay you to look at name brand items is when they are on sale and can be combined with manufacturer and/or store coupons, too.
• Use coupons. The few minutes it takes to clip coupons from the paper or print from your computer can really add up. Be careful to only buy products you would buy anyway – and not to buy something just because you have a coupon for it.

For more information on credit cards that can save you money on groceries, please see the cash back credit card section where you can review credit card applications and apply.