January 19, 200916 yr I have read on Consumerist that if you call them and "decline" their new rate, they will keep the account open until the expiration date on your card with the current interest rate. However if you use the card for any new purchases, it will automatically jump to the higher rate. It's worth calling them to ask about it. New rules that start in 2010 will prevent all credit card companies from raising rates on previous balances. So you would not even have to worry about it as long as you didn't make new purchases on the card.
January 19, 200916 yr they will do the same thing if you are even one day late, ever, the whole rest of the time you own the card. If you are EVER late paying, even if it's only a day, I would consider moving the balance as I mentioned previously.
January 20, 200916 yr Actually if you have multiple cards, because of the "universal default clause", it can raise the rate on all of your cards at once if you're late on one. The new law will outlaw the universal default clause. So even if I pay off and close this card they'll lower my credit score? What kind of nonsense is that? I've never been late, missed a payment, or overdrawn any card. It did actually hurt when I saw that card slide through the reader for that rebuilt transmission. In fact it still hurts.
January 20, 200916 yr Actually if you have multiple cards, because of the "universal default clause", it can raise the rate on all of your cards at once if you're late on one. The new law will outlaw the universal default clause. So even if I pay off and close this card they'll lower my credit score? What kind of nonsense is that? I've never been late, missed a payment, or overdrawn any card. It did actually hurt when I saw that card slide through the reader for that rebuilt transmission. In fact it still hurts. Yes. Your credit score is calculated by a number of things, including total available access to credit. So as a for instance, if you have 2 credit cards that both have a $10,000 limit on them and you have nothing charged on them, you have $20,000 available. If you close one of them, you only have $10K available. Less total available credit makes you a higher credit risk. The more credit you have available vs. amount of debt you carry against the total is really how the score works, but actually having one credit card with nothing on it and $10K limit is not seen as good of a credit risk as someone with like 5 or 6 cards with a little charged on all the cards but $15K available if they're all added together. Each loan you take out and pay off, be it a car loan, student loan, mortgage or credit card debt, which is just another loan, helps increase your credit score and your credit "worthiness." That's why it's good to hold on to cards for a long time and keep them open, even if you never use them. This helps make your total available credit a bigger picture and makes you look like a good credit risk. There is a tipping point, with too many revolving accounts, but even then if you keep things relatively paid off, someone with 20 loans can look better as a creditor than someone with one credit card, that's just the way they work it.
January 20, 200916 yr Just got a notice from Discover Card saying they're raising my interest rate from 8.9% to 24.9% even though I've never been late, overcharged, or any of that. You have to send a letter and they shut your account down completely, or at least they say they will. I had heard about this on the radio and "never thought it would happen to me". I got the same letter!!! Except they are changing mine from my current 7.99% to Prime + 10.99, which equals 14.24%. This is complete BS, I've never missed a payment and always pay way more than my minimums. My plan is to either close the account and keep my current rate or pay a big chunk on my balance and keep the card. I also have an AE card with an interest rate of 6%, they better not do the same!!
January 20, 200916 yr All cards I've had do this from time to time, for what it's worth. No one bank or lender seems to not do this. Again, I would caution you against closing any cards if you are at all concerned about your credit score.
January 20, 200916 yr I think all of the credit card companies will be doing this to their customers before the new consumer protections go into place. http://consumerist.com/5122903/3-new-credit-card-rules-got-chucked Here are the new rules: 1) Raising APRs on especially on existing balances is restricted 2) Payments applied either to highest APR balance, or divided evenly among the balances 3) Bills must be sent at least 21 days before they're due, unless delivered electronically 4) Double-cycle billing is gone 5) Subprime credit cards that have a $500 credit limit but a big upfront fee will have that fee capped at no more than 50% of the credit limit, and it can be paid off over a year, rather than immediately.
January 22, 200916 yr All cards I've had do this from time to time, for what it's worth. No one bank or lender seems to not do this. Again, I would caution you against closing any cards if you are at all concerned about your credit score. I agree. You should reduce the line of credit, but not close them. Especially long time cards. I had a bad habit of open credit cards just for the additional discount back in the day and have no ended up with 50 credit accounts (some company's have closed or merged) and I had them all lowered to the minimum amount. Then after years of no activity the credit holder closed the accounts, so it didn't affect me in the same way as if I closed them. Just remember to pay on time and if you have more than one account, make a payment plan to pay them off. Personally, I use one credit card, charge on it and pay off the bill in full every month. This way my money is working for me.
January 22, 200916 yr Personally, I use one credit card, charge on it and pay off the bill in full every month. This way my money is working for me. ^This. I do the same thing, and when it's all said and done I cash in rewards points for restaraunt gift certificates. Every couple of months I get $50 for free.
January 22, 200916 yr Personally, I use one credit card, charge on it and pay off the bill in full every month. This way my money is working for me. ^This. I do the same thing, and when it's all said and done I cash in rewards points for restaraunt gift certificates. Every couple of months I get $50 for free. I know, that's why I love my black card. They just give you stuff, to make you charge more and being an impulse shopaholic...it's works on me. lol
January 23, 200916 yr I know, that's why I love my black card. I prefer "African American Express" Actually.. to be correct, it's called the Centurion card.. but then again, I work for the company that does most of Amex's advertising :-P
January 23, 200916 yr I know, that's why I love my black card. I prefer "African American Express" Actually.. to be correct, it's called the Centurion card.. but then again, I work for the company that does most of Amex's advertising :P True, but most people know it as the "black" card to match the "platinum" and "gold" cards, correct?
January 23, 200916 yr I know, that's why I love my black card. I prefer "African American Express" Actually.. to be correct, it's called the Centurion card.. but then again, I work for the company that does most of Amex's advertising :P True, but most people know it as the "black" card to match the "platinum" and "gold" cards, correct? Correct, but it's only called that because of its color, in Amex speak, they do not refer to it as the black card.
January 23, 200916 yr I know, that's why I love my black card. I prefer "African American Express" Actually.. to be correct, it's called the Centurion card.. but then again, I work for the company that does most of Amex's advertising :P True, but most people know it as the "black" card to match the "platinum" and "gold" cards, correct? Correct, but it's only called that because of its color, in Amex speak, they do not refer to it as the black card. I don't care what they call it, as long as I can walk into an establishment and pay without any issues. LOL
January 23, 200916 yr I know, that's why I love my black card. I prefer "African American Express" Actually.. to be correct, it's called the Centurion card.. but then again, I work for the company that does most of Amex's advertising :P True, but most people know it as the "black" card to match the "platinum" and "gold" cards, correct? Correct, but it's only called that because of its color, in Amex speak, they do not refer to it as the black card. I don't care what they call it, as long as I can walk into an establishment and pay without any issues. LOL Well via your spending, thanks for my paycheck :)
January 23, 200916 yr I know, that's why I love my black card. I prefer "African American Express" Actually.. to be correct, it's called the Centurion card.. but then again, I work for the company that does most of Amex's advertising :P True, but most people know it as the "black" card to match the "platinum" and "gold" cards, correct? Correct, but it's only called that because of its color, in Amex speak, they do not refer to it as the black card. I don't care what they call it, as long as I can walk into an establishment and pay without any issues. LOL Well via your spending, thanks for my paycheck :) Hey, I'm doing my part to keep the local economy going! Now if you behave yourself, maybe I'll put in a good word with your boss. :wink2:
February 7, 200916 yr After a ridiculous request. I've decided that my nieces and nephews need to learn the value of a dollar. So, in an attempt to condition my nephews, nieces and cousins children I'm wondering if any of you have used www.quickenonline.com , www.mint.com, www.wesabe.com or www.geezeo.com ? I could start them out with a spreadsheet, but since they have bank accounts with small balances, they don't need super detail management and they are apart of the "instant" generation, I thought I would use one of popular online financial management sites. This way they can see where there allowance and odd job money goes.
February 7, 200916 yr I did a scratch run through my taxes using Turbotax and unfortunately owe somewhere around $900 this year. That's because I had about $4500 in untaxed 1099 income. I'm going to go through it again because I had to use the Turbotax "small business" version, which costs $60, and I'll see if I can do 1099's with a cheaper version. Because I had a 1099 or two last year and I know I didn't have to use the $60 version!
February 9, 200916 yr If you make under $58K, you can file your federal taxes for free. I just finished mine a few hours ago. 1099's have been getting me the last few years, good thing the 3K this year didn't set me back too much.
March 25, 200916 yr American Express Double Membership Rewards Points Promo on gas and groceries. To register for this promo: www.americanexpress.com/counttwice or call 1-800-794-1308 use promotional code 139150001 This promo lasts the entire year. :clap: Hope this helps some of you.
March 25, 200916 yr I've been cutting my own hair lately. If you guys are looking to save money in this recession and have short hair - consider it.
March 25, 200916 yr I've been taking home more expired food from work. Today I drank milk 1 week past its expiration date. Still tasted fine to me.
March 25, 200916 yr I've been cutting my own hair lately. If you guys are looking to save money in this recession and have short hair - consider it. I've been doing this, too. Saves me $15 every month and a half or so. American Express Double Membership Rewards Points Promo on gas and groceries. To register for this promo: www.americanexpress.com/counttwice or call 1-800-794-1308 use promotional code 139150001 This promo lasts the entire year. :clap: Hope this helps some of you. I see it doesn't apply to poor folk like me, with our "blue" cards. Thanks for the link though, I forwarded it to my parents and a few others.
March 25, 200916 yr I've been cutting my own hair lately. If you guys are looking to save money in this recession and have short hair - consider it. I just don't cut my hair. :wink: $20 buys a lot of milk. Honestly, milk is like half my diet. I love Chocolate Milk. That's my sh!t.
March 25, 200916 yr I've been cutting my own hair lately. If you guys are looking to save money in this recession and have short hair - consider it. I just don't cut my hair. ;) $20 buys a lot of milk. Honestly, milk is like half my diet. I love Chocolate Milk. That's my sh!t. humm humm hummmm I bet you do! ;)
March 25, 200916 yr I've been cutting my own hair lately. If you guys are looking to save money in this recession and have short hair - consider it. I just don't cut my hair. :wink: $20 buys a lot of milk. Honestly, milk is like half my diet. Well, come up to Ann Arbor and we'll give you a one week supply the next round of expirations lol. I'm also taking home some left over bagels I believe are from a business local to you down in Toledo. Barry's? I've never paid attention to the labels.
March 31, 200916 yr So I was at Target last night, and I handed the cashier my stack of coupons. One of them was from coupons.com (where I print a lot of coupons), and the guy was like "Oh, we don't take these anymore. We stopped taking them like a week ago." WWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTT? Why, Target, why?!? Anyone know what's up with this?
March 31, 200916 yr Kingfish's Tips Du Jour: - Get rid of Netflix and get your movies from the Public Library. In Columbus, at least, you can reserve the title online and have it delivered to your closest branch for pick up. If you don't get a chance to watch it right away you can usually renew a few times online before they make you return it. - Get a Costco Membership or make friends with someone who has one. Even if you're a swinging single (Costco has a GENEROUS frozen foods section) there are things you can save big on by stocking up. Small apartment? You'll be surprised to find how easy it is to squirrel away 36 rolls of toilet paper. - Drive the speed limit, yo. Of all the ways to increase your mileage "adjusting the nut behind the wheel" (ha ha ha) is the best way. I squeeze an average of 32 MPG out of my 1998 Civic just by coasting into red lights and keeping the throttle locked between 60-65 on the highway. - Need home phone service? Go VOiP. I signed a two year contract with ViaTalk for $199 and pay about $5 a month in taxes and surcharges. Still, that's $10 a month for a land line (I like to send and receive faxes the old-fashioned way). - Skip Cell Phone Data Use. This may be an impossibility for you TXT HPPY young 'uns, but cell phone companies make ALL their profit on BS charges for text messages (which create ZERO network load) and wireless web. Most plans have generous voice minutes. Use them. Or are you really afraid to hear the sound of your friends' voices? - Skeezed Out by Second Hand Shops? Shop Marshalls and TJ Maxx. $6.50 for a brand new zippered hoodie? Hells yeah. - Share Wireless Internet with a Trusted Neighbor. Only with each others' knowledge. - Game Giant Eagle's Gas Points Program. Give the gift of giftcards, horde gas points, and make a double (or triple) dip gas buddy rendezvous at Get N' Go; you can use points up to 30 gallons, so spread the wealth. Me and Missus Kingfish are planning our own little hook up today. We ended up with an assload of points--we haven't paid for gas for our two cars in months. - Shaving cream? SCHMAVING CREAM! Use hand soap or shampoo.
March 31, 200916 yr Me and Missus Kingfish are planning our own little hook up today. TMI!!!! TMI!!!!
March 31, 200916 yr I've been cutting my own hair lately. If you guys are looking to save money in this recession and have short hair - consider it. Bought a clipper set myself as I always buzz my hair in the summer, while I will miss Astor Place Hairstylist, love that place, the clippers paid for themselves with one cut. Also, having a roommate helps, easier to clean up your neck and around the ears.
March 31, 200916 yr So I was at Target last night, and I handed the cashier my stack of coupons. One of them was from coupons.com (where I print a lot of coupons), and the guy was like "Oh, we don't take these anymore. We stopped taking them like a week ago." WWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTT? Why, Target, why?!? Anyone know what's up with this? I mentioned awhile ago that many stores I frequent will NOT take coupons that you print out on the internet and was poo-poohed as it being untrue. But they aren't. Too much fraud or something I guess, who knows why/why not.
March 31, 200916 yr When I worked at Kroger, the policy was to not accept any Internet coupons because of the potential for fraud. It's quite simple to figure out how the barcode numbering works, use free software to make a new barcode that gives you something like $8 off, and Photoshop that onto another coupon.
April 1, 200916 yr When I worked at Kroger, the policy was to not accept any Internet coupons because of the potential for fraud. It's quite simple to figure out how the barcode numbering works, use free software to make a new barcode that gives you something like $8 off, and Photoshop that onto another coupon. Dude, if I had that much time on my hands, I'd just get another job so that I could make more money and not have to use coupons. Well, at least Red Plum comes in the mail now instead of the PD.....
April 1, 200916 yr - Shaving cream? SCHMAVING CREAM! Use hand soap or shampoo. Even cheaper, just grow out the beard, and use the same clippers you've got for your head on your face. (Also reduces the need for a scarf in the winter).
April 1, 200916 yr I clip my own hair and keep a beard, but I don't know If I could do the full-blown Grizzly Adams. Though this guy pulls it off: I like how his eyebrows are getting in on the act.
April 1, 200916 yr I wonder what I would look like with a long beard. I'm trying it and saving $1.00 on shaving cream!
April 1, 200916 yr For those who eat at Cosi restaurants here is a coupon. Cosi corporate motto: "Hey Columbus, it's not a science museum and it's not pronounced 'Co-sigh'!"
April 2, 200916 yr Living on a budget? The house next to mine just sold for...$12,000. My landlord bought it for $83,000 but foreclosed on it about 8 months ago, mostly because he didn't try hard enough to keep the place rented. Since it was vacated copper thieves ran off with everything and the guys working on it estimate it needs $10,000 to be brought up to code. Still, $22,000 for a *house* sitting on 1/4 acre is pretty amazing!
April 2, 200916 yr I've been cutting my own hair lately. If you guys are looking to save money in this recession and have short hair - consider it. Bought a clipper set myself as I always buzz my hair in the summer, while I will miss Astor Place Hairstylist, love that place, the clippers paid for themselves with one cut. Also, having a roommate helps, easier to clean up your neck and around the ears. Yeah, if you have a room mate that helps. It takes a lot of coordination and precision but after you do it a few times it gets easier to do the back of the neck. I use a three way mirror but I still need to use a separate mirror to look at the back and get it right. My neck line gets nappy so I can't just go over it the same way I do with the rest of my hair.
April 2, 200916 yr That's the difficult part, which is why I'm happy I have two mirrors facing each other in the bathroom. I'm going to need to save up a bit more since I just dropped $400 to pay for the LEED New Construction Exam I'll be taking in June. On the other hand I walked into the Architecture and Urban Planning deans office and basically asked nicely for more federal grant money. Typically you are only allocated a set amount, and when it's gone, you're done. Well instead of spreading out my hours, I maxed them all out early this semester meaning I'd need to find another job (not using federal money). At first, they were reluctant but when 6 out of 7 employees failed to show up where I work with me then putting in a 10 hour shift, it was immediately approved. So I guess that gives me a brief time extension to be employed till my apartment lease is up and I can go get a real job (hopefully)
April 2, 200916 yr For those who eat at Cosi restaurants here is a coupon. Cosi corporate motto: "Hey Columbus, it's not a science museum and it's not pronounced 'Co-sigh'!" Maybe COSI wouldn't be in such a budget hole if they'd just sell sandwiches.
April 2, 200916 yr Maybe COSI wouldn't be in such a budget hole if they'd just sell sandwiches. The Symphony should try the same thing.
May 9, 200916 yr Half off gift certificate for Grumpy's Cafe in Tremont (the catch - must use all $50 at one time) http://wgar.mediawebconnect.com/Grumpy's%20Cafe/15115 Also Cadillac Ranch (2 x $25) http://wmvx.mediawebconnect.com/Cadillac%20Ranch/12431 http://wtam.mediawebconnect.com/Cadillac%20Ranch/13016
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