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Posts about Credit (3)

Here’s How Credit Card Interest Is Calculated

By: Holly Love 06.16.22 3 minute read

Credit card interest is often discussed, but not always understood. Despite the number of people who keep a credit card (or several) in their wallet, not everyone can explain the math that goes on behind the scenes. Understanding how your monetary tools work is an important part of financial literacy, which is why in this article, we’ll break down credit card interest into basic dollars and cents.

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Ask the Experts: Consumer Lending

By: Holly Love 08.05.21 6 minute read

In this series, we take a look at the inner workings of the Credit Union and meet some of the champions who help our members in every facet of their financial lives. This month, we met up with expert Bryan Eichenbaum, an expert on all things lending at American Heritage.

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Zero in on Reducing Debt with This Type of Credit Card

By: Holly Love 07.22.21 3 minute read

Credit cards are one of the most versatile tools you can carry in your wallet. From getting extra rewards when swiping at gas stations or grocery stores to building your credit score, these pieces of plastic can impact your financial health. With so many options available, how do you choose?

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6 Questions to Ask Before Getting a Loan or Credit Card

By: American Heritage 06.24.21 4 minute read

The right loan or credit card can give you more financial freedom and open up exciting opportunities – from traveling the world to buying your first car or home. But borrowing money is a big responsibility, and it’s not a decision you should make lightly. Failing to use credit responsibly can damage your credit or lead to serious financial problems.

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Guarding Against Debit & Credit Card Fraud

By: American Heritage 06.03.21 3 minute read

It’s no surprise the credit and debit cards are so popular. They’re simple, easy to use, and accepted almost everywhere. But this popularity has also made them a common target for thieves and fraudsters. According to the FTC, in 2020 alone, nearly 400,000 people fell victim to credit card fraud. The consequences can be serious, from financial loss to damage to your credit (not to mention the stress).

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How to Escape 8 Financial Terrors

By: American Heritage 10.29.20 3 minute read

Every horror movie has a moment where one of the soon-to-be victims does something foolish like saying the killer’s name in the mirror three times, going upstairs to investigate, or saying the infamous phrase, “I’ll be right back.” As audience members, we groan at these mistakes and shake our heads as each character meets a grisly fate. But when it comes to managing finances, too many of us make terrifying mistakes that can cost us money, hurt our credit and impact our financial future. In order to survive, we offer this brief list of financial terrors. Avoid them, and you may get out alive.

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How to Perform a Balance Transfer

By: Holly Love 10.22.20 3 minute read

A credit card balance transfer makes a high-interest credit card balance (or balances) more manageable by transferring that balance to a new credit card with a lower interest rate. For added savings, some balance transfer offers include a lower introductory rate for a limited amount of time or sometimes even the life of the balance. Balance transfers can help you get out of debt faster and make multiple payments easier to manage.

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Big Purchases: When to Save & When to Borrow

By: American Heritage 07.23.20 3 minute read

When you’re looking at a big-ticket purchase, one question always comes up: Should you pay with your savings or finance it? Or, if it’s a new home or car, how much of the purchase price should you pay up front, and how much should you borrow? There is no simple answer. On the one hand, paying in cash can keep you out of debt. On the other hand, large cash purchases could wipe out much of your savings, while borrowing can help ensure you have more savings available for emergencies. There are many factors to consider. Ask yourself these eight questions to figure out whether you should pay cash or use financing for your next big purchase.

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The Pros and Cons of Paying Off a 0% Interest Loan Early

By: Holly Love 02.20.20 3 minute read

Sometimes, we get lucky and are offered a 0% interest rate promo for a specific term. This rate is frequently seen with auto loans, mattress stores, furniture stores, and for credit card promotions. For these big-ticket items, paying no interest could mean a massive savings on each payment. For loans that have an interest rate above 0%, paying them off early (provided there are no pre-payment fees) is a no-brainer: you’re saving money on interest payments and contributing more to the principal each month.

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