Monthly Archive for October, 2009

Why Entrepreneurs Need Small Business Credit Cards

Why Entrepreneurs Need Small Business Credit Cards
By Chris P

Small business credit cards are a special type of credit cards that are meant for use by small business (as opposed to the normal credit cards or personal credit cards which are meant for the use of an individual). Some people wonder why they should go for a small business credit card when they already have one or more personal credit cards.

This is a very valid question indeed. By logic, if something like small business credit cards exists in market as a separate entity altogether, there must be a special need for it. It must have some features which are useful to small businesses in particular. Though there are a lot of similarities between personal and small business credit cards (of course there would be similarities since both of them are credit cards after all), there are a few differences too. These differences are mainly in terms of the flexible credit limit, lower APR offers and attractive terms and conditions which are better for small business credit cards.

Besides all the benefits which are quoted for credit cards and the additional attractive offers, there is another important reason for going for a small business credit card. The reason is business expense accounting. A lot of small businesses face this is as a major challenge. One needs to keep track of each and every business expense and log the information somewhere for the purpose of business expense accounting. Business expense accounting is needed not only for tax purpose but also for financial strategy evaluation and budget tracking. Generally speaking, two main problems quoted for small business expense accounting are business expense segregation and expense classification.

By using your small business credit card for all your small business outgo, you can very easily separate your business expenses from your personal expenses. This will thus solve your business expense separation problem. What you receive on your small business credit card bill is your business expense directly. Moreover, this report is something which your tax consultant will love too.

The second problem is also solved automatically. Most small business credit cards also group together the business expenses under proper heads. Some credit cards even provide credit card statement as data feeds which can be directly fed into accounting software. Just imagine how much hassle you are saved from with this business accounting feature. Wonderful, isn’t it?

The other great thing about small business credit cards is the help they offer in terms of managing the expense peaks. Though such variations are part of almost every business, they are even more critical for small businesses. So when that need for immediate purchase arises, you wouldn’t need to worry if you had the backing of a small business credit card. Also, generally small business have to pay first and receive later i.e. make payments for purchases before receiving payments for services/goods, so small business credit card also acts as an intermediary who fills in the time gap at little or no additional cost.

The credit card membership benefits are at its best when it comes to small business credit cards. There are discounted ticket offers, car rental offers, gift offers and many other good offers for small business credit card holders. Just check all such benefits that might be available on your small business credit card and ensure that you use them whenever and wherever required.

The small business credit cards are ranked higher by the credit card suppliers too. So everything associated with a small business credit card, including the customer service, is better than the personal credit cards.

Thus, small business credit cards aren’t something that a small business owner can afford to miss especially with what all it offers.

You can find more about small business cards at http://www.smallbusinesscards.org

Credit Card Application

Credit Card Application
By Daniel Wesley

For those who have, at any time of their life, submitted a credit card application, a rejection letter is not a new thing to you. How frustrated you feel when you are refused a credit card, especially if the card was the ideal deal for you!

However, there is still hope. You can alter your situation and get your credit card application accepted by the issuer. Let’s take a look at how you can turn the tables in your favor.

Know The Reasons For The Rejection Of Your Credit Card Application

The first thing you should do after receiving the rejection letter is not cry in despair, but read the letter carefully. In most of the cases, the rejection letter contains the reasons why your credit card application has not been accepted. If it does not tell you the reasons of rejection, then it may state ways to find them out.

If your credit card application has been turned down due to your bad credit score, then determine the contact details of your credit reporting agency, which your credit card company contacted for verification.

In case the rejection letter does not state the clear reasons of rejection, then do not hesitate to call your credit card company, where you had submitted you credit card application, to ask for reasons. Never overlook the reasons of rejection. They may prove to be helpful in future credit card applications.

The Common Reasons Of Rejection Of Credit Card Application

One of the most common reasons is not having an income sufficient enough to meet the minimum requirements of the credit card company. Another reason is that you may not be in your present job for long enough.

Sometimes, the reason for rejection may be an incorrect information been given by the credit reporting agency. This may sound unlikely, but it happens. In such a case, call your credit reporting agency and ask for a free copy of your credit report.

Check it thoroughly and ask them to make the corrections, after giving them adequate evidence of mistake. As per the law, the credit reporting agencies are obliged to provide you a free copy and correct the flaws in the report.

Caution Is The Word For Credit card Application
Credit cards have made people go crazy. They are ready to trade their hard-earned dollars for getting this piece of plastic. However, credit card application calls for a sense of responsibility from your part.

Before filling up the details of the credit card application, make sure that you are familiar with all the terms and conditions so that you do not get entangled in legal hassles later. Besides the usual name and contact information, the credit card application also asks for the acceptance of certain offers. If you are not sure what to fill, it’s better to seek help.

Then there are hidden fees on credit card application, which may turn out to be a little heavy on your pocket. So, watch out for these things before you submit your credit card application.

It takes time for a credit card application to get processes, as the company carries out a verification of your identity. The US Patriotic Act orders stiff authentication of people applying for anything in America, including credit cards. But that does not deter the frenzy Americans from going for credit card application. So, while you are at it, it’s wise to be well-informed. Ignorance is not bliss here.

Credit Card Application Know The Reasons For The Rejection Of Your Credit Card Application. Daniel Wesley provides free finance tips and loan calculators at http://www.creditloan.com

How To Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Credit Card Rates

How To Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Credit Card Rates
By Max Anderson

Are you getting the best credit card rates possible? You’d better hope so. If you’re not, you could be throwing thousands of dollars down the drain without even realizing it. Want to know how to make sure the best credit card rates are on your monthly statements? Here are four tips that will help you do just that.

1. Watch Those Payments

The first and most critical step towards getting the best credit card rates is making each and every one of your credit card payments on time. One late payment and it’s like a credit card domino effect. The card you paid late experiences a rate increase and then your other cards’ interest rates are jacked up too.

How exactly does one credit card payment affect a totally different credit card? Welcome to the world of the Universal Default Agreement. When you default on one credit card, your other credit cards are given license to act as if you defaulted on those as well. As a result, your rates begin to jump. At this point, even the best credit card rates can soar to 20-percent or more.

Do yourself a favor — if you want the best credit card rates, make on-time payments priority number one.

2. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask

Sometimes getting the best credit card rates is as easy as asking. Think your credit card company is charging too much? Tell them you want a rate decrease. If you’re a good customer who makes on-time payments each and every month (and you’re not already enjoying the lowest rate they can offer) your credit card company may be willing to reduce your rate to keep you as a customer.

If, at first, the person on the phone balks, tell them you want to talk to the manager. Explain to the manager that you can get a lower rate elsewhere (and will) if your needs are not accommodated. If it’s at all possible to lower your rate, they usually will.

3. Transfer Your Balances

If your current credit card company isn’t willing to lower your rates, don’t be afraid to jump ship. There are many companies out there that offer the best credit card rates and if your credit is up to par, they’ll be happy to transfer your balance over to a new account.

When transferring balances, just make sure you don’t get sucked in by a “teaser” rate. If the low rate jumps up six months from now, you’ll be back to square one. The best credit card rates are fixed rates — not limited-time offers.

4. Don’t Balk at Annual Fees

Sometimes getting the best credit card rates requires paying an annual fee — especially if you have less-than-perfect credit. If your credit situation isn’t exactly ideal, don’t balk at paying a low annual fee in exchange for getting the best credit card rates. If you have high balances and a lower rate allows you to pay your debt off for less, the annual fee can pay for itself.

The best credit card rates aren’t just a pipe dream. They’re there for the taking if you know how to get them. Don’t overpay for finance charges. Use the above four tips to make sure you’re getting the best credit card rates possible.

For more tips on credit cards, saving money and avoiding getting taken, check out CreditCardTipsEtc.com, a website that specializes in providing credit card tips, advice and resources.

It’s Easy To Find A 0 Apr Credit Card

It’s Easy To Find A 0 Apr Credit Card
By Christopher Luck

Millions of Americans have credit cards, using them almost every day for everything from mundane things like groceries to exciting purchases like vacations. But unless you already have a 0 APR Visa, Mastercard, or Discover credit card, chances are you’re still looking for one. Who wouldn’t want a credit card that offered 0 percent APR?

The APR is the annual percentage rate, and it determines how much interest you pay on your credit card. No-interest credit is the best, obviously; a credit card with no APR means you’re paying back only the amount you borrowed, with no additional charges. When the bank makes you a 0 APR credit card offer, you’re liable to jump at the chance! But you don’t need to wait for the bank or credit card company to come to you. You can get a 0% APR credit card yourself.

First you’ll need to check your credit score. The credit card companies are more likely to give you a low-repayment credit card as a “reward” for being a low-risk consumer. Get a copy of your credit report from one of the online sources available — you’re entitled by law to one free credit report per year — and see if there are any blemishes that might prevent you from getting a 0 APR credit card. You should check your report even if you’re sure you’ve never done anything to earn bad credit, because mistakes can creep into your report. The last thing you want is to be denied an interest-free credit card because of something you didn’t even do!

Once you’ve confirmed your credit report is solid, or done what’s necessary to clean it up, you can apply for a credit card with confidence. There are two ways you can go about getting no-interest credit. One is to approach your currentcredit card companies and request a lower interest rate. Tell them you’d like to do a balance transfer, point out your positive credit history, and ask for zero APR credit. Many times, they will give you 0 APR for a period of six months or a year, which is fine: Before the time is up, you can set up 0 percent APR on a different card and transfer the balance. If your credit stays good, you could move your balance from one card to another indefinitely, thus keeping 0 APR credit for the life of the loan.

Another option is to open new credit cards that have 0 APR offers. These are easily found online, and the 0 APR credit card is usually an “introductory” offer, which means it switches to a higher APR after six months or a year. The same procedure applies: Take advantage of the offer, and then transfer the balance to another 0 APR credit card before the time is up. Before you get any new credit cards, though, be sure to check into their policies on balance transfers. Some have different APRs for balance transfers as opposed to purchases.

With a little work and careful spending habits, it’s possible for anyone with good credit to get a 0 APR credit card. Why should the credit card company get all your hard-earned money with its fees and APRs? No-interest credit is the way to go. Good luck, and happy spending!

Christopher M. Luck has have many years experience with 0 apr credit cards and is now offering his priceless advice free to you.  If you are at all interested in Christopher’s top picks, you may find 0 apr credit cards here. You can also keep up to date with the latest news at Christopher M. Luck’s Finance Blog.