How would you like to have a few hundred extra dollars in your wallet?

The IRS has recently announced they have millions of dollars in unclaimed tax refunds.. and some of that money just might belong to you.

I don’t know of anyone in these difficult financial times who couldn’t use some extra cash.

Many people don’t file a Federal income tax return, because they may not have made enough money in a given year.

However, in many cases taxes were withheld from these people’s wages. In other cases some people actually made quarterly estimated payments to the IRS.

More than 1 million of these taxpayers have not filed their income taxes.

The IRS has announced that at least half of those who have not filed their returns are owed refunds of nearly $640 and many are owed even more!

Taxpayers only have a three year window to claim a refund. After that it is lost and gone forever.. and Uncle Sam gets to keep your hard earned money.

Since 2008 taxes were due to be filed by April 15th 2009.. your three years will be up in April 2012.

If you have not yet filed for 2008, 2009 or 2010.. now is the time to get going.

You just might get enough money back to buy yourself something nice  :-)

Article Courtesy of Credit Card Approval Center

Now that the rush of the Holidays is over it is time to get down to business and evaluate how much new credit card debt you incurred doing your Holiday shopping.

For most of us, this turned out to be more than we originally intended. Each of us, therefore, must try to find the best ways to reduce our credit card debt and make sure we do not spend the entire year paying off our Holiday purchases. Paying off Holiday debt faster can mean saving hundreds of dollars in credit card interest.  Here are some suggestions:

Determine Which Card is Costing the Most:

The first thing you should do is determine which of your credit cards is costing you the most. This is not necessarily the card with the highest outstanding balance. In many cases, a credit card with a lower balance which has a higher interest rate can be more damaging than a card with a lower rate and higher balance.

Transfer Balances Whenever Possible:

Since the new year is a good time to evaluate all debt, it is a good time to reevaluate the credit cards that you have. In some cases, there may be cards which will allow for balance transfers with no interest payments for six to 12 months or more. Those who are eligible for these cards may want to consider doing this as this may allow them to pay off other credit cards before these balances begin accruing interest.

Make More Than the Minimum Payment:

Whenever possible, it is a good idea to make more than the minimum monthly payments. This can be done in a number of ways including turning unwanted household items into cash (selling them on eBay or Craigslist), returning unwanted holiday gifts or applying holiday bonuses received to outstanding balances. This will help you avoid paying for holiday gifts for the next 12 months and considerably reduce the amount of money wasted on interest.

If You Need to Use a Credit Card:

During the next several months.. while you are in pay-off mode, if you should need to use a credit card think carefully before you decide which one to use. Those who have a cash-back credit card should consider using this card and using the cash-back rewards to pay down balances.

Do Not Cancel Any Cards:

Many people think the best way to stop using a credit card is to cancel it. Be careful when doing this as it may wind up damaging your credit report. If necessary, put the cards in a file cabinet or in a desk or dresser drawer and simply do not use them. It is never a good idea to cancel a credit card, unless you have just received a new card with an equal amount of available credit to take the place of the one you are cancelling.

Paying off Holiday debt is a challenge that nearly all of us face. Most consumers do not spend more than they can afford, but the amount of credit card debt can mean paying a lot of extra interest making the cost of gifts much higher. Evaluate all of your outstanding debts, determine where you might have extra cash to pay them down and create a short-term plan to get your credit cards paid off as quickly as possible.

Article Courtesy of Credit Card Approval Center

More than six percent of consumers are still paying off debt they incurred during the 2010 Holiday season according to Consumer Reports. In spite of this, the 2011 Holiday season saw consumers once again reaching for their credit cards and piling on mountains of new credit card debt.

Now that the Holiday season has passed, many will consider shopping at inventory clearance sales, close-out sales and more. However, instead of spending even more money that will have to be paid back over time, it’s time to get serious about post-holiday belt tightening and begin paying off those Holiday debts.

Gather All of Your Credit Card Bills:

One way to drive home just how much Holiday debt you’ve accumulated is to dig out all of your bills. There are few things that will make you more aware of how far in debt you are than having all of these bills in one spot and getting a birds-eye view of just how bad the situation really is.

Once you have done this then it is time to create a chart of accounts. List the card name, interest rate, minimum monthly payment and balance. You should also note the credit limits on the card as well as note whether the card offers cash-back or other reward features.

Developing Your Plan:

When you have completed your chart, it’s time to create a plan for post-holiday belt tightening. The very first step to this is to put away all of the credit cards except for one that may be used for emergencies. Determine which card is the most beneficial in terms of interest rate and features like cash-back. The remaining cards should be put away until the balances have been paid in full.

There are several tricks you can use to help you reduce your credit card debt, and this is the best time of year to take a look at all the possible options that are available.

• Tax Reductions – Many of us have forgotten that we’ve been given a break on our payroll taxes. Grab one of last year’s pay stubs and see how much you are bringing home “extra” and put that amount towards your credit card bills.

• Year-end Bonuses – Many people may see a year end bonus coming in the next few weeks. Unless this bonus has been earmarked for another necessary (yes, necessary!) purpose, consider using a significant portion of that bonus to help pay down your credit card debt.

• Gift Cards and Bonus Cash – Gift cards that were received during the holidays can be sold and gifts that were unneeded or unwanted can be returned to the original store, many times for cash refunds. This can help put a real dent in credit card bills. If you do not have gift receipts, contact the giver if possible and see if they have one. Check store policies on returns so you do not miss important dates. Bonus cash from credit cards that offer cash back, rebate checks from gifts you purchased and other “surprise” cash can also help reduce credit card indebtedness.

Every person will have to determine what their options are when it comes to paying down credit card bills. In some cases, additional payments may be made by transferring card balances to lower interest rate cards (saving money every month) or by taking advantage of small amounts of unexpected cash from coupon savings, rebate checks or cash-back checks from other credit cards.

Keep in mind that the faster you pay off your credit cards, the less interest you will be paying on the cards. This can mean a savings of hundreds or even thousands of dollars in your total outstanding debt.

Article Courtesy of Credit Card Approval Center

Nearly 80% of consumers have indicated they do not plan to use their credit cards for holiday shopping this year. Since more than 13 million Americans are still paying off credit card charges for holiday purchases made last year.. it is not difficult to understand why shoppers are hesitant to run up more credit card debt this holiday season.

Although paying cash may seem like a better way to assure that you do not get into debt.. paying with cash does not offer you many of the benefits of using a credit card for your purchases. So long as you stay within your established budget and only charge what you can comfortably afford to pay off when the bills comes due.. using a credit card is actually a much wiser option.

Considering the above statistics, it is certainly understandable why many may be trying to avoid using their credit cards this holiday season. However, there are some reasons why using a credit card might actually make good sense. For example, if you have a cash back credit card, you may find that you can accumulate funds for a purchase after the holidays when the clearance sales take place. Here are some other reasons why it may be a good idea to use your credit cards for your holiday shopping.

Credit Cards are Safer than Debit Cards:

While it may be tempting to purchase only using your debit card, there are additional protections that credit cards offer which make them a better choice than using debit cards. Although most banks offer fraud protection on debit cards, this protection may not apply to every dollar that is lost through fraud. Most credit cards offer 100% protection from fraudulent transactions. This is especially important for those who shop online as the potential for fraudulent transactions is much higher.

Credit Card Discounts and/or Coupons:

Prior to the holiday shopping season, it is a good idea to read any additional information which may accompany your credit card statement. Often times there will be information as to holiday shopping offers, coupons, discounts at particular stores, etc.

Most credit card issuers offer discounts during the holiday season for a specific amount of savings either at traditional stores, which they identify, or with online shopping merchants. These specials can provide additional savings for your holiday shopping sprees.

Credit Cards Offer Protection:

While most stores have liberal return policies on holiday purchases, many credit cards offer additional layers of protection. For example, many credit card companies offer longer return policies than some retail stores. While most retailers will offer a thirty day return policy, your credit card may offer an additional buyer protection plan.

Benefits of Cash Back Credit Cards:

It is important to not overlook the benefits of cash back or air mile rewards on your credit cards when doing your holiday shopping. Even if you have cash to pay for all of your purchases, getting cash back means that the final cost of your shopping can be up to 5% less. While the rewards are usually not paid immediately, they can help you make another purchase later in the year or the cash back can be used to add to your savings or pay off another credit card.

Airline rewards plans on your credit card can help you plan early for your summer vacation. While you may not be thinking about your vacation while holiday shopping, these airline miles can add up very quickly if you use your credit card for holiday purchases.

While there is little doubt that using credit cards may easily result in spending more during your holiday shopping trips, there are some significant benefits that are associated with using credit cards as opposed to cash. Buyer protection, fraud protection and cash back on all purchases are just as few of the benefits of using your credit cards for holiday shopping.

There is no doubt that we must use our credit cards responsibly during the holiday season. Everyone is aware that the temptation to overspend is much higher than at other times of the year. However, those who set up a solid budget for holiday shopping and use their cash back credit cards may find that there are benefits they had not considered.

Article Courtesy of Credit Card Approval Center

Since the holiday season is quickly bearing down upon us, it may be a good time to perform an annual audit of your credit cards. Auditing your credit cards means checking your interest rates, late payment fees, over-limit fees and your reward points. Performing this type of audit on an annual basis can help consumers make sure they have the best possible credit cards for their individual needs.

Interest Rate Check-Up:

Review each of your open credit card accounts and double check your interest rates. Sometimes the banks raise them one or two percent. Unless you sit down and compare your statements.. you may not realize you are actually paying more interest than you were a few months ago.

This could be a good time of year to explore the potential of transferring your higher interest balances to a card with a 0% introductory interest rate. There are several balance transfer credit cards offering a 0% introductory rate for as long as 12 months, 15 months and even 21 months.

Credit Card Rewards and Cash Back:

Since credit card issuers are always interested in attracting new customers, this could also be a great time to switch to a card which offers a better credit card rewards program in the form of points, airline miles or cash back.. whichever will best serve your needs.  Remember, not all reward programs are created equally, so be sure to compare the offers and consider which credit card offers the rewards you feel would best suit your lifestyle.

Carefully review all of the information available about your existing reward credit card programs before you make any decision about changing cards. Check for any restrictions that may be placed on when and how the rewards may be used.. limitations that may be set on rewards.. maximum rewards in any given period.. and whether the rewards have an expiration. These are all important factors to consider.

Remember, the rewards and cash back credit card programs are based on money that you have spent using your credit card. If you are earning air miles rewards, but you fly only infrequently, the rewards are not very useful to you. It may be wiser to find a reward credit card that provides cash back and/or points which may be applied towards other things in addition to travel.

Retail Credit Cards:

Remember to review any revolving credit card accounts you may have with individual stores. In most cases these cards carry higher interest rates than bank credit cards. Additionally, these cards can only be used in specific stores, making them far less valuable than bank cards, which can be used nearly everywhere.

Auditing all of your credit cards on an annual basis makes good financial sense. Since most of us are likely to use our credit cards during the upcoming holiday season, this is an excellent time to sit down and determine which credit cards you have (or may wish to apply for) that offer you the best possible interest rates as well as the best rewards for using your cards.

Article Courtesy of Credit Card Approval Center

Credit Card Strategies - How to Avoid the Dangers:

Whether you love them or hate them, credit cards are pretty much an essential part of life.  By using them wisely you help build your good credit rating. A good credit rating will be extremely important throughout your life in obtaining a mortgage, an auto loan, or pretty much financing for any purpose.

Not to mention the fact that paying with credit cards is so much more convenient and secure than carrying cash.  But, there are a number of important lessons you should learn about credit cards.  Read on, and discover how you and your credit card can have a mutually beneficial long term relationship!

Less is More:

We’ve already said that using credit cards responsibly helps you to build your credit score.  Having a couple of cards or even several cards contributes nicely to accomplishing this.  However, do not make multiple applications for cards from several different providers in a short period of time. The rule of thumb is never apply for more than one or two credit cards in any 90 day period.

Each application will trigger an inquiry on your credit file. Applying for too much credit in too short a time will give lenders the impression that you are about to go on the spending spree of all spending sprees. This will make you look like a risky proposition, and you will not be approved for the credit you want.  Also, having lots of cards can often times make it easier and more tempting to spend more than you can reasonably afford.

Zero Interest Doesn’t Last Forever:

Who wouldn’t want a credit card charging 0% interest?  That sounds too good to be true!  Well, it is and it isn’t.  Yes, zero interest really is available as an introductory rate on some credit cards.  But, you must remember that an introductory rate is just that.. introductory!  After the intro period has expired, your rate will go up to the normal rate.. and unless you’re prepared for it you’re likely to get caught short.

Always Pay On Time:

This is the most important part.  You might get away with a late payment once, but don’t make a habit of it.  Failing to make your payments on time will have a huge negative impact on your credit score.  And, you’ll get hit with late payment fees as well as possibly having your rate increased to the punitive penalty interest rate, often approaching 29%.  If you know you’re going to miss your payment date, let the credit card company know and they may be a bit more flexible if it’s the first time this has happened.

Spend Wisely:

It’s easy to give into temptation when all you have to do is get out your credit card.  Somehow it seems less guilt inducing than handing over hard cash.  But, it all has to be paid for eventually. And, if you’ve gotten into the habit of revolving debt, carrying over a balance each month, you’ll soon be using your entire credit limit.  This will have a negative impact on your credit score due to high credit utilization, and could result in penalty fees from your credit card provider as well.

Check Your Statements:

It might not be as exciting as the latest best seller, but a careful read through of your monthly credit card statement will serve you well.  Not only will you be able to pick up on any possible errors.. such as a transaction going through twice.. you will also see exactly what fees are being levied, and you will be able to verify and check that everything is being charged correctly.

Sometimes fraudsters use credit card details to make purchases that are relatively small, in the hope that the cardholder won’t notice and thereby alert the issuer.  Go through your statement line by line and don’t let anyone get away with running your credit card balance up unnecessarily!

Article Courtesy of Credit Card Approval Center

Credit Cards for College Students:

While parents are justifiably concerned about college students being solicited for student credit cards, parents can help their college students find the best student credit card that is designed uniquely for the ways in which college students use credit.

College Student Credit Cards Can Be Useful:

Most of us are aware of the challenges that are faced by college students as they get ready to go back to school. Students will need to purchase supplies for school, as well as required books and appropriate clothing.  Parents who have taught their college students the value of credit can help them decide on the best student credit card.

In making sure your student has the right information about student credit cards.. you can help them make better decisions.  There are many great credit cards for college students that include cash back credit cards and credit cards with zero introductory interest that may be right for your student entering college.

Choosing the Best Student Credit Card:

Parents should work with their college students to find the best student credit card for their needs. Most students spend money at bookstores, clothing stores and gas stations.  Other uses may include restaurants, grocery stores and perhaps travel if they are attending college a long distance from home.

Reviewing the various student credit card options involves determining how your college student will be using their credit cards.  Many cards offer special discounts or cash back when the card is used for specific purchases.  Others offer introductory periods with no interest allowing students to buy their necessary supplies and pay them off over several months without incurring interest.

Fees and Interest Rates:

There are several credit cards for college students that offer low annual rates as well as a zero interest rate for a specific period of time. These offers should be reviewed to determine which student credit card best meets the student’s needs. Each company that offers credit cards for college students offers some program that is ideally suited to college students of all ages.  Review the terms and conditions and decide on the best option (or options) to meet the credit card needs of your college student.

Teach Responsibility through Credit Management:

Parents spend their entire lives teaching their children about managing money.  From their very first savings account until they apply for their first student credit card, it is up to parents to make sure that college students learn to manage their credit wisely.  Parents should have an honest discussion with their college students about managing their first student credit card. Make sure they are aware of the long-term benefits (and challenges) associated with responsible credit management.

Having a student credit card during college is considered part of growing up and taking responsibility for your future.  Parents should answer all questions that are posed to them in an effort to help their college students make good credit decisions.. and to make sure their college students make the right decision as to the best student credit card for their needs.

While there is no doubt that credit can be abused, there is no reason that a student who understands the responsibilities of credit cards cannot successfully build credit for their future.  Understanding the various options that are available to them, understanding how to use credit effectively and finding the right credit cards for college students is one of the first steps that a college student must take to successfully manage their own financial future.

Article Courtesy of Credit Card Approval Center

An airline credit card allows frequent flyers to earn frequent flyer miles or points and rewards by way of making purchases with their credit card. The accumulated points may then be redeemed for miles on one particular airline or on your choice of airlines, depending on the credit card you choose.

In addition to free flights, points on many travel reward credit cards may also be redeemed for other rewards.. such as free hotel stays, vacation packages, car rentals, gift cards and in some cases there may even be a cash back option.

Things have changed in recent years for the airline industry. Considering increased security measures, as well as soaring fuel prices, their total operating costs have risen significantly.

As a countermeasure, the airlines have resorted to charging for every feature they could possible think of and not surprisingly.. the trend has been adopted by most major carriers.

Airlines have now levied charges on checked baggage and priority seating as well as increasing the charges for in-flight food service. Most major airlines, including American, Delta and United charge $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag. These charges are per one-way trip for domestic air travel.

It is estimated that in 2010 alone, passengers in the United States paid a whopping $9.2 billion in total fees relating to baggage and other airline services while in transit from one airport to another.

Therefore, it is not surprising that credit card issuers are now beginning to offer cardholders additional service related perks to entice them to carry their credit card.

Airline credit cards have always offered airline miles for every dollar spent on their credit cards, but in keeping up with all the recent airline convenience charges.. airline credit cards have now begun adding additional money saving perks for cardholders.

For instance, the United Mileage Plus Explorer Card offers priority boarding and the first checked bag free for cardholders as well as a companion traveling with them.

Likewise, the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card offers priority boarding and the first checked bag free for all passengers’ seats booked via the card. In effect, the airline credit cards now offer as a reward that which was formerly taken for granted by all passengers traveling by air.

Article Courtesy of Credit Card Approval Center

Discover® More Card

This card offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.

Earn a 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories that change quarterly.. like travel, gas, groceries, restaurants, home improvement stores and more.

Get up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.

This card has No Annual Fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no fee for an additional card.

Discover® More Card

Once the 0% introductory period has expired, the interest rate on your credit card will be 11.99% – 20.99% depending on credit worthiness.

For more information regarding this credit card, as well as other offers from Discover Card.. see the page Discover Credit Cards at our website.

If you have a history of keeping your credit card balances under control and paying your bills on time.. you will be considered one of your credit card company’s most valued customers.. and they do not want to lose you!

This gives you some bargaining power when it comes to having annual fees reversed and/or negotiating a better interest rate.

The average American household has more than $8,000 in credit card debt, with an average interest rate on their credit cards of 16%.

$8,000 x 16% = $1280 annually paid in interest charges. That’s more than $100 each month of money being completely wasted.

If you are paying more than 15% interest on your credit card.. you should definitely call your credit card issuer to see whether you can negotiate a lower interest rate. You may meet with some resistance at first, as the customer service representatives are not always accustomed to customers asking for special privileges.

Some people are embarrassed to call and try to negotiate. They assume the same interest rates apply to everyone and therefore just accept the finance charges and pay the bill.

However.. you have nothing to lose by asking.  If you remind them how long you have been a cardholder and what a reliable customer you have been you may be able to get a reduced interest rate.

Credit card companies are pulling out all the stops to get new customers to apply for their credit cards. The competition is fierce.. the banks are all competing for your business. This means they are also doing whatever they can to keep the customers they already have.  You can definitely use this to your advantage.

Take a look and compare some of the more popular credit card offers at our site. Find out what the average interest rate is on these credit cards. This will give you a good idea what your credit card company should be able to do for you.

If your credit card company is not willing to negotiate.. you can always apply for a new credit card and transfer the balance from the old card to the new one.

Don’t close the old credit card, however, as this can lower your overall credit score.

In fact, many times when your credit card has had a zero balance for several months you will receive balance transfer offers from your credit card issuer. If you don’t have a balance on your credit card.. they are not making any money.  And, after all they are in business to make money.. so they would prefer that you have a balance on your card and are paying them some interest each month.

You don’t want to be transferring money back and forth too often, as the banks are not impressed with consumers who play these kind of juggling games. However, it is definitely in your best interest to take advantage of long term, low interest balance transfer offers whenever you can to help keep your interest costs down.

Article Courtesy of Credit Card Approval Center