Pre-Authorization: Credit Card Companies Cause More Headaches at the Pump
Credit Sesame on pre-authorization of debit and credit cards at the gas pump and the challenges this may cause for consumers. As if buying gas isn’t expensive enough, drivers nearing their credit limit may have their credit card denied at the pump after a 40% jump in pre-authorization holds was made this spring. Visa and […]
Personal Finance Weekly News Roundup September 3, 2022
Credit Sesame’s personal finance weekly news roundup September 3, 2022. Stories, news, politics and events impacting the personal finance sector during the last week. Fed chair triggers stock slump U.S. and China regulators agree on scrutiny for Chinese stocks U.S. average credit score has leveled off Mortgage lenders showing signs of strain FBI issues warning […]
Inflation is a Game-Changer: Is it Time to Change Your Strategy?
Credit Sesame discusses the value of an inflation strategy to stay ahead of rising prices. Does inflation make you feel like you’re always trying to play catch-up? Like rising prices are always one step ahead of your budget? It’s no surprise. One of the disruptive things about high inflation is that it moves so fast. […]
Young Credit Card Users: Improving the Odds of Success
Credit Sesame discusses improving the odds of a credit card application success for young credit card users. As millions of young adults adjust to their first semester of college, they face many new decisions – both inside and outside the classroom. Some of those decisions include whether to get a credit card, and how to […]
Is Pre-Approval for a Credit Card Good to Have?
Credit Sesame on why you may want to hang on to that pre-approval for a credit card. You may be tempted to throw away a pre-approval letter from a credit card company. It’s just another kind of junk mail, you may think. Or it could be a credit card with the best perks on the […]
How Risk in the Housing Market Affects Home Buyers
Credit Sesame discusses growing risk in the housing market and suggests how consumers may consider them in decisions about home buying. A recent study of mortgage activity suggests lenders are taking more risk. This echoes other data that suggest the housing market has gotten riskier in the past couple years. Real estate information firm CoreLogic […]
8 Ways to Make the Most of the New Student Loan Debt Relief Program
Credit Sesame discusses things to do when student loan payments on federal student loans resume after December 31, 2022. The Biden Administration’s new student loan relief plan has eased the debt burden for many borrowers. Even so, most still have payments to make starting after December 31, 2022. Now’s the time to start preparing. Though […]
How to Ask for a Lower Interest Rate on Your Credit Card
Credit Sesame advises on how to ask for a lower interest rate on your credit card. Higher interest rates and inflation mean consumers are using their credit cards more for everyday expenses, resulting in higher debt and credit card balances. The average credit card debt per borrower in the second quarter of 2002 was $5,270, […]
Personal Finance Weekly News Roundup August 27, 2022
Credit Sesame’s personal finance weekly news roundup August 27, 2022. Stories, news, politics and events impacting the personal finance sector during the last week. IRS to wipe out $1.2 billion in late filing fees FDIC issues cease-and-desist letters to 5 crypto firms Mortgage lenders taking more risk as housing market slows BBB issues warning about […]
A New Credit Card Can Make it Harder to Get a Mortgage
Credit Sesame explains why a new credit card can make it harder to get a mortgage Applying for too much credit at once can cause creditors to think you’re desperate for money and are facing some cashflow problems. Manage a new credit card well and it should raise your credit score. Pay the bill on […]
Credit Explained: Credit, Credit Score, Credit Rating, Credit History and Credit Report
All things credit explained by Credit Sesame. Credit, Credit Score, Credit Rating, Credit History and Credit Report Terms like credit score and credit report get used a lot, but not everybody has a clear idea of what they mean. That’s unfortunate, because these credit-related things can have a direct impact on your finances. Credit scores and […]
Cash to Credit: The History of Credit Cards
Credit Sesame on the history of credit cards. In an era when we carry digital credit cards on smartphones, and even then complain about having to carry our phones, imagine handling the clay tablets that Mesopotamians used 5,000 years ago to trade with the Harappan civilization. The earthen tablets are the first recorded accounts of […]
Consumers with Poor Credit Face Extra Dose of Inflation
Credit Sesame discusses the extra challenges facing consumers with poor credit. Inflation is tough on everybody, but a few recent stories how illustrate how it hits people with weak credit especially hard. Between larger credit balances and higher interest rates, people with debt problems pay more interest. Current conditions are making that worse. This has […]
Should You Get a Credit Card?
Credit Sesame debates whether you should get a credit card. Getting your first credit card is a sign of adulting right up there with getting a driver’s license or proudly sporting an “I Voted” sticker. In fact, pulling out a little plastic card with your name on it to pay for something says “I’m a […]
The Advantages of an Online Bank Account
Credit Sesame outlines the advantages of an online bank account. The most obvious advantages of an online bank account is convenience. You can manage your money in moments from any device, wherever you are, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No more finding time to visit a bank branch during opening hours. There […]
