Average number of credit cards in America?
Question by Apfel: Average number of credit cards in America?
What is the average number of credit cards most Americans have?
Thanks!
God Bless!
Best answer:
Answer by Barkley Hound
While most Americans carry between five and 10 credit cards, some people carry up to 50 — which could wreak havoc on your credit score.
On average, today’s consumer has a total of 13 credit obligations on record at a credit bureau. These include credit cards (such as department store charge cards, gas cards, or bank cards) and installment loans (auto loans, mortgage loans, student loans, etc.). Not included are savings and checking accounts (typically not reported to a credit bureau). Of these 13 credit obligations, 9 are likely to be credit cards and 4 are likely to be installment loans.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Q&A: When using a Visa debit card is it better to use it as “credit” or use a pin number and hit “debit?”
Question by Granny: When using a Visa debit card is it better to use it as “credit” or use a pin number and hit “debit?”
I’m wondering if there is better protection or lower fees with one or the other.
Best answer:
Answer by Thomas E
It’s probably BETTER to use it as a debit card.
Of course there ARE credit card fees; as a matter of fact, I read the other day that some “mom-and-pop” gas stations have stopped allowing the use of credit cards to pay for gasoline for that very reason – the fees eat into their profits. The people who sell gasoline actually make very little profit (maybe 12 cents per gallon), and the credit card companies base their fees on the total sale, so, since gasoline costs so much now, the fees can run as high as 10 cents per gallon, leaving very little profit. By the time gasoline hits the retailer, big oil has already gleaned all the profit, but that’s another story.
On the other hand: Use it as a debit card, and I think that the bank takes some fees; although I am not sure of that, it makes sense to me that that would be the case, since banks also are very greedy when it comes to “fees”.
Either way, though: If it works like mine does, the money is deducted from your account immediately, so at least YOU don’t have to worry about a credit card bill. And YOU will not be charged any fees either way – only the merchant.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Your Credit Score: How to Improve the 3-Digit Number That Shapes Your Financial Future (4th Edition) (Liz Pulliam Weston) Reviews
Your Credit Score: How to Improve the 3-Digit Number That Shapes Your Financial Future (4th Edition) (Liz Pulliam Weston)
Today, a good credit score is essential for getting decent terms on credit–or for getting credit at all. But that’s just the beginning: You’re now being judged on your credit score by everyone from employers to cellphone carriers. Now, MSNBC/L.A. Times journalist Liz Weston has thoroughly updated her best-selling guide to credit scores, with crucial new information for protecting (or rebuilding) yours. Your Credit Score, Fourth Edition thoroughly covers brand-new laws changing everything from how your credit score can be used to how you can communicate with collectors. This edition also adds simple graphics revealing exactly how much skipped payments, bankruptcies, and other actions will lower your scores, and how long it takes to rebound. You’ll find new information on “FAKO” alternative scores… expanded coverage of short sales, foreclosures, the new FICO 8 Mortgage Score, and when to “walk away” from a mortgage… guidance on protecting yourself against new credit risks from social networking and mobile banking… expanded coverage of credit scoring by insurers… and an all-new chapter on safeguarding against unethical or illegal use of credit scores by employers. Weston updates her expert guidance on using FICO 08 to raise your score… fighting lower limits and higher rates… maintaining the right mix of cards and balances… bouncing back from bad credit… choosing credit “solutions” that help, not hurt… and much more!
List Price: $ 19.99
Price:
Your Credit Score: How to Fix, Improve, and Protect the 3-Digit Number that Shapes Your Financial Future (2nd Edition)
Your Credit Score: How to Fix, Improve, and Protect the 3-Digit Number that Shapes Your Financial Future (2nd Edition)
This is the eBook version of the printed book.
“A great credit score can help you finish rich! Liz Pulliam Weston gives solid, easy-to-understand advice about how to improve your credit fast. Read this book and prosper.”
–David Bach, bestselling author of The Automatic Millionaire and The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner
“Excellent book! Insightful, well written, and surprisingly interesting. Liz Pulliam Weston has done an outstanding job demystifying an often intimidating and frustrating topic for the benefit of all consumers.”
–Eric Tyson, syndicated columnist and bestselling author of
Personal Finance for Dummies
“No one makes complex financial information easy to understand like Liz Pulliam Weston. Her straight-talk and wise advice are invaluable to anyone with a credit card or check book–and that’s just about all of us.”
–Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D., author of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office and Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich
“In a country where consumers increasingly pay more when they have bad credit, Liz Pulliam Weston’s book provides excellent tips and advice on ways to improve your credit history and raise your credit score. If you just apply one or two of her insightful suggestions, you’ll save many times the cost of this book.”
–Ilyce R. Glink, financial reporter, talk show host, and bestselling author of
100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask
“Your credit score can save you money or cost you money–sometimes a lot of money. Yet, most people don’t even know their scores, much less know how to make them better. Liz Pulliam Weston can help you fix that. In this easy-to-understand guide you’ll learn how to make sure your score helps you get the best deal on loans and insurance. You can’t afford not to read it.”
–Gerri Detweiler, consumer advocate and founder of UltimateCredit.com
Your credit score. It’s just three numbers. But it dictates whether you’ll get credit, and what you’ll pay. Insurers use it to set premiums. Landlords use it to make renting decisions. You need to understand it. In Your Credit Score, Second Edition, MSN Money personal finance journalist Liz Pulliam Weston gives you up-to-the-minute answers you can trust—and a proven action plan for building your credit, fixing it, and maintaining it, starting today!
Weston has updated this national bestseller with extensive new information, including an inside look at the new VantageScore credit scoring system, “Fast Fixes” that actually work, and powerful tips for first-time borrowers.
You’ll discover how your scores are affected by everything from applying for loans to closing accounts…how to cope with a credit crisis, and bounce back from bad credit or bankruptcy…how credit counseling really affects your score…why paying old debts can actually damage your score…how to reduce your exposure to identity theft, and much more!
List Price: $ 15.20
Price:
Your Credit Score, Your Money & What’s at Stake (Updated Edition): How to Improve the 3-Digit Number that Shapes Your Financial Future
Your Credit Score, Your Money & What’s at Stake (Updated Edition): How to Improve the 3-Digit Number that Shapes Your Financial Future
“A great credit score can help you finish rich! Liz Pulliam Weston gives solid, easy-to-understand advice about how to improve your credit fast. Read this book and prosper.”
David Bach, bestselling author of The Automatic Millionaire and The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner
“Excellent book! Insightful, well written, and surprisingly interesting. Liz Pulliam Weston has done an outstanding job demystifying an often intimidating and frustrating topic for the benefit of all consumers.”
Eric Tyson, syndicated columnist and bestselling author of Personal Finance for Dummies
“No one makes complex financial information easy to understand like Liz Pulliam Weston. Her straight-talk and wise advice are invaluable to anyone with a credit card or check book–and that’s just about all of us.”
Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D., author of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office and Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich
“In a country where consumers increasingly pay more when they have bad credit, Liz Pulliam Weston’s book provides excellent tips and advice on ways to improve your credit history and raise your credit score. If you just apply one or two of her insightful suggestions, you’ll save many times the cost of this book.”
Ilyce R. Glink, financial reporter, talk show host, and bestselling author of 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask
“Your credit score can save you money or cost you money–sometimes a lot of money. Yet, most people don’t even know their scores, much less know how to make them better. Liz Pulliam Weston can help you fix that. In this easy-to-understand guide you’ll learn how to make sure your score helps you get the best deal on loans and insurance. You can’t afford not to read it.”
Gerri Detweiler, consumer advocate and founder of UltimateCredit.com
The #1 Best-Selling Guide to Improving Your Credit Score…
Now Thoroughly Updated for the Financial Crisis!
In post-crash America, it’s tough to get credit…and even tougher to get rates and terms you can afford. That makes your credit score more important than ever before. Now, MSN Money/L.A. Times personal finance columnist Liz Pulliam Weston has updated her best-selling book on credit scores to show how you can maximize your score right now–and save yourself a fortune!
Weston reveals the tough new realities of borrowing and credit scoring, and shows why they aren’t going to change any time soon. She rips away the mystery surrounding credit scoring, including the FICO 08 overhaul, and tells you exactly how to use the new system to maximize your score.
You’ll learn how to fight back against lenders who want to lower your limits or raise your rates…bounce back from bad credit and bankruptcy…choose the right credit solutions and avoid options that only make things worse. One step at a time, Weston will help you build (or rebuild) your credit score–so you can get the credit you need and deserve!
Survive a credit crisis, one step at a time
How to protect or rebuild your credit score after a major financial setback
Fix your credit score in as little as 72 hours
Rapid rescoring: what it can fix, what it can’t fix, and how to use it
Don’t let the myths of credit scoring cost you a fortune!
What you’ve been told just isn’t true: how credit scores really work
What drives your score–and what doesn’t
The real impact of credit cards, loans, late payments, inquiries, credit counseling, and more
List Price: $ 18.99
Price:
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