Student credit cards, young credit

Q&A with Holly McCall, champion of the stay-at-home parent -- Turned down for a Target card because issuers cannot consider household income anymore, McCall got so mad she's campaigning for change ... (See Holly McCall)

Erica Sandberg: Getting debt help may hurt new credit access -- The reasons that led you into a debt management plan may be the same reasons why credit card issuers keep turning your down for new credit ... (See Credit card rejection)

Erica Sandberg: 2 ways to start building a credit history -- You want your first credit card, but no bank will give you one without an established credit history. How do you go about proving you're a good credit risk? ... (See First credit card)

Erica J. Sandberg: When it's OK to get a second credit card -- You've been faithful to paying on time with your first credit card, but the limit is low. How do you know when it's a good time to get a second credit card? ... (See Getting a second credit card)

Erica Sandberg: Know where you stand before you apply for new credit -- To know what kind of credit card you can qualify for, you first need to know your credit score and pull your credit reports ... (See Applying for credit)

Infographic: College graduates afraid of not finding job -- Respondents to an online survey say that of their worries after college, they are most afraid of not finding a job ... (more)

Study: Despite new law, credit cards finding their way to students -- A 2009 law aimed at curtailing access of students under 21 to credit cards hasn't worked, a study says, as card issuers found ways around the restrictions ... (See Student credit)

Erica Sandberg: Credit score tips for new U.S. residents -- New to the country? Be aware that there are multiple credit scores, and good credit practices can quickly build a great credit score ... (See Credit score tips)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, April 18, 2012: Credit card interest rates remain unchanged -- Average credit card interest rates held steady this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Rules for using your first credit card -- Your first credit card can be an opportunity to build good credit or create a financial disaster. Follow these guidelines and avoid getting in over your head ... (See First credit card)

More consumers ditch rewards, go with plain vanilla credit cards -- Basic credit cards won’t help you rack up free flights, wads of cash or gift cards. But new research shows they’re back in a big way, and they’re especially popular with young, financially savvy consumers ... (See Plain vanilla credit cards)

Fed: Consumers wary of mobile payment security -- Americans are embracing using cellphones to conduct financial business, says a March 2012 report from the Federal Reserve, but concerns about security hare holding back adoption ... (more)

Erica Sandberg: Issuer increases your interest rate, do you cancel credit card? -- When a card issuer notifies you of a interest rate change, you have several options, including canceling the card. But is that the best choice? ... (See Canceling a credit card)

Survey: Students fail the credit card test -- According to a multicampus survey of college business students, only a small fraction pay off their credit card debt each month or know their interest rate ... (See Financial literacy fail)

Erica Sandberg: How to build good credit with your first card -- Sure, your first credit card probably came with a low credit limit, but use it wisely and progress slowly to build a strong credit history ... (See First credit card)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, April 4, 2012: Credit card interest rates decline -- Credit card interest rates dropped to their lowest level since February, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate Report)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Mar. 28, 2012: Credit card interest rates remain unchanged -- Credit card interest rates held steady this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate Report)

Erica Sandberg: How to move student loans out of default -- Hollywood is missing out on a blockbuster horror movie: Student loans gone bad. Getting defaulted student loans back on track can drive you mad ... (See Student loans)

Tanisha Warner: What you can do when authorized users go wild with your credit card -- When an authorized user runs up debt or doesn't make payments, the card's primary holder can take a credit hit. But all is not lost ... (See Authorized users)

Does your kid need a financial coach? -- Soccer coach? Sure. Algebra tutor? No problem. But what about hiring a money coach for your kid? A new breed of financial advisers and life coaches, billing themselves as financial coaches for kids and teens, thinks it's worth it ... (See Kids and money coaches)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Mar. 21, 2012: Credit card interest rates dip slightly -- Credit card interest rates dipped slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Will banks lend again after your bankruptcy? -- A series of unfortunate events can suddenly lead to bankruptcy, but is the hit to your credit one that marks you for life? ... (See Getting a loan after bankruptcy)

Student ID/debit card combos bring high fees, controversy to college campuses -- Thought marketing plastic on campus was a thing of the past? Not so fast. Two years after the Credit CARD Act went into effect, banks are still on campus but are luring new customers with college ID cards that double as debit cards ... (See Student IDs and debit cards)

Student loan debt: the next time bomb? -- Today's college graduates are hitting the job market with more debt and fewer prospects, setting up the prospect of another delinquency disaster ... (See Student loan debt)

Public schools get mixed grades on financial literacy -- Efforts to get schools to teach financial literacy to children are stalling, and there is debate about whether such education even works ... (See Financial education)

Financial literacy online resources for parents, children -- With a decreasing number of states requiring financial literacy courses, what's a parent to do to raise money-smart kids? These resources will help ... (See Financial literacy)

5 smart banking tips for college students -- The bank your college chooses may be more convenient. However, experts say you're better off thinking about what you really want from a banking service before you sign your name on the dotted line. These tips can help you decide ... (See College students and banking)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Mar. 6, 2012: Moves by Chase, Best Buy push credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates jumped this week for the first time in nearly three months, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Can you sue an authorized user for nonpayment? -- Protect yourself from authorized users on your credit card charging up a storm on your card and then leaving you with a huge unpaid balance ... (See Authorized users)

Tanisha Warner: How to remove an authorized user from a credit card account -- If you've made a mistake with your credit card and screwed up your own credit, authorized users on that card shouldn't have to take a credit hit, too -- assuming you take action ... (See Authorized users)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 29, 2012: Credit card interest rates hit 8-month low -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offers fell to its lowest level since June of 2011, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: 6 tips for finding the right debt management plan for you -- Before you enter into a debt management plan, be sure to pick a credit counselor whose style and competence are a good match for you ... (See Debt management plan tips)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 22, 2012: Credit card rates' holding pattern continues -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offer remained unchanged at 14.91 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Do debt management plans hurt your credit score? -- With $35,000 in debt, a couple decided to get help by entering into a debt management plan. But they worry how a DMP will impact their credit scores and future purchasing power ... (See Debt management plans)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 15, 2012: Credit card rates remain in holding pattern -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offer remained unchanged, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as credit card APRs' recent holding pattern continued ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: First credit card? Follow these best practices -- Managing your first credit card the right way can set the stage for building up great credit. Used wrongly and you may spend years fixing your mistakes ... (See First credit card)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 8, 2012: Credit card rates hold steady for 2nd week -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offer remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, though issuers are still tweaking APRs ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: You can pay someone else's debt and not be liable for it -- A daughter elects to help her dad with his collection payments, but he wonders if she will then be held responsible for the debt ... (See Paying someone else's debt)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 1, 2012: Credit card rates hit lowest levels in 5 months -- Interest rates on new credit card fell to their lowest levels since August 2011 this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Dad racks up charges on son's credit card -- A father fraudulently opened a credit card in his son's name and charged $5,000. Now he can't pay more than the minimum. What are his son's options? ... (See Credit card fraud)

Infographic: The high cost of love -- When it comes to love, 2012 is going to be pricey and disappointing for many Americans. In a Valentine's Day-inspired survey, American Express looked at couples' spending habits and even their future plans for their relationships ... (more)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 25, 2012: Credit card APRs unchanged for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers held steady for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: What happens when you're sued for a credit card debt -- If a court summons over an unpaid debt arrives, the worst thing you can do is ignore it because if you don't show up, they'll win by default ... (See Sued over credit card debt)

Tanisha Warner: Discharging student loan in bankruptcy requires major hardship -- Want to declare bankruptcy and wash your hands of that troublesome student loan? Our expert says that it's not that easy ... (See Bankruptcy and student loans)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 18, 2012: Credit card rates hold steady -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: How settled card accounts impact your credit report -- Settling a delinquent account for less than you owe may be good for your wallet, but it's not so good for your credit reports and score ... (See Settled accounts, credit reports)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 11, 2012: Average APR drops following First Premier move -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, due to a sharp APR drop for the priciest card in our survey. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Mom's on hook for daughter's card debt -- A daughter uses bankruptcy to delete debt only to discover her mom is responsible for $24,000 on a credit card she co-signed more than 20 years ago ... (See Co-signers and card debt)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 4, 2012: Credit card rates steady as 2012 begins -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged to start the new year, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Who do you pay when a debt goes into collection? -- When an unpaid debt is charged off and sold to a collector, who do try to negotiate a settlement with: the original creditor or the collector? ... (See Debt collection)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 28, 2011: Interest rates drop for the 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for a second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: One easy step to build a U.S. credit history -- A good salary and U.S. residency doesn't mean you'll be issued a credit card the first time you try. You have to start slow and be patient ... (See Building U.S. credit)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 21, 2011: Credit card rates dip as holiday shopping nears end -- As the holiday shopping season nears an end, interest rates on new credit card offers fell from their record highs this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Don't jeopardize great credit with new credit -- When your credit score is already high, but not high enough, there are ways to boost it without applying for a new credit card ... (See Get a higher credit score)

Gary Foreman: How to teach your children basic financial concepts -- If you teach your kids to 'sleep on' major money decisions and learn the power of compound interest, they'll have gained important lessons that will serve them a lifetime ... (See Teaching money lessons to your kids)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 14, 2011: Credit card interest rates shoot to record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers surged to a record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Trying to escape a high APR via a balance transfer -- Trying to transfer a spouse's high-interest debt to your balance transfer card? Not all issuers will allow that to happen ... (See Balance transfer card)

Erica Sandberg: Choosing the right credit card for a new business -- Our expert outlines common money mistakes new business owners make when starting a new business on credit ... (See First business credit card)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 30, 2011: Credit card APRs remain in holding pattern -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

How young is too young for credit? Do you add an infant to your card account? -- In an effort to build a strong credit file for their child, a parent wants to know if adding his newborn as an authorized user to his card is a good first step ... (See Too young for credit)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 23, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged as holidays near -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week as banks took their traditional Thanksgiving break from changing rates, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Can I go back to college if student loans are in default? -- Unpaid student loans can haunt you for the rest of your life, but shouldn't keep you from pursuing your dreams of finishing college ... (See Unpaid student loans)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 9, 2011: Credit card interest rates hold steady -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offer stayed static this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. However, that doesn't mean that all of the nation's largest credit card issuers were sitting on their hands ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: In marriage, maintain your own credit -- Combining finances can be great, but it's important to maintain at least one credit card in your own name to protect your personal credit rating ... (See Marriage and credit scores)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 9, 2011: Credit card APRs inch up, near record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers inched up this week for the first time in a month, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Make sure your payments make a dent in your debt -- Debt payments that don't seem to diminish your total debt can get frustrating. You have three options: pay more, seek help or bail ... (See Debt repayment tips)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 2, 2011: Credit card interest rates see 2nd drop in 3 weeks -- Interest rates on new credit card offers inched lower for the second time in three weeks, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: How low can an authorized user go? -- What's wrong with this picture when a reader asks if an authorized user on a credit card wants to open other accounts in the primary card holder's name? ... (See Authorized users)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 26, 2011: Credit card interest rates hold steady -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Have residency, but no credit? -- You may have to jump through a few hurdles, but getting credit when you are a permanent U.S. resident shouldn't be too hard ... (See Establishing credit)

Jeremy M. Simon: Mending a credit score hurt by a student loan default -- A reader who defaulted on a co-signed student loan wonders whether a debt settlement is the best path to rebuilding her high credit score ... (See Student loan default)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 19, 2011: Credit card APRs see 1st drop in 3 months -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for the first time since July, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: 7 questions to ask before you do a balance transfer -- A zero-percent balance transfer card may sound like the perfect solution to your high-interest debt problem, but that's not always the case ... (See Balance transfer credit card)

Gary Foreman: Why every student needs a bit of economics -- You may not become an economist, but everyone needs to have basic knowledge of how they spend today impacts their saving for tomorrow ... (See Economics and spending)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 12, 2011: Credit card APRs reach another record high -- Another week, another record for credit card interest rates. APRs on new credit card offers reached 15 percent for the first time in the four-year history of CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Is 'unfreezing' a card a good thing? -- After a bank "freezes" your card due to nonpayment and a maxed-out status, will thawing it out help or hurt your credit score? ... (See Card suspension)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 5, 2011: Credit card rates unchanged, remain at record highs -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained at record highs this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: The pitfalls of shared card accounts -- Our expert clarifies the differences between authorized users, co-signers and joint account holders, along with who shares payment responsibilities ... (See Shared card accounts)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 28, 2011: Credit card rates reach another record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers edged up to another record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg:Can you build credit by paying off card after every use? -- If you use your plastic for everyday purchases, but pay off the balance the next day, will your credit score rise? ... (See Paying debt quickly)

QA with 'Frugalista' Natalie McNeal -- Single, 32, in serious debt and in a precarious job, blogger Natalie McNeal transformed her high-spending ways into a "frugalista" lifestyle ... (See Natalie McNeal)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 14, 2011: Credit card rates stay at record highs for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as rates' upward climb paused following several volatile weeks ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Steps to starting over after losing everything -- Re-entering the workforce after a long-term illness in which you lost everything can seem daunting, but starting somewhere can make all the difference ... (See Starting over)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 14, 2011: Credit card rates climb to another record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers climbed to another record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: 3 steps for early money management -- Setting up financial goals when you're young can set the stage for success if you stick to a budget and set aside money regularly for the things you want ... (See Money management for youths)

5 money tips for parents of new college students -- Your college-age son or daughter isn't the only one who needs to learn; you have new financial choices you need to master ... (See College money tips for parents)

8 financial experiences your kids need to have now -- To equip your children with good financial sense now -- before they have to learn things the hard way -- make time for these 8 money-skill-building experiences ... (See Kids and money)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 7, 2011: Credit card rates stay at record highs -- Interest rates on new credit card offers stayed at record highs this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: In a debt management plan? No new credit for you -- If you have negotiated with lenders through a credit counseling service to pay down your debt, the last thing you want to do is take on new loans ... (See Debt management plans)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 31, 2011: Credit card rates rise to record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose to a new record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Record high rates)

Erica Sandberg: Boost savings with temporary budget cuts -- How do you save thousands over a short period, especially when you have a tendency to overspend? First, see where you stand ... (See Boost savings)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 24, 2011: Credit card rates jump to near-record levels -- Interest rates on new credit card offers jumped to a near-record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Set up charging rules on co-signed card -- A financially reformed mom co-signed on a card for her college-bound son, but worries that he may return her to financial ruin ... (See Co-signed credit card)

Infographic: Credit card issuers still paying big bucks to colleges -- The Credit CARD Act of 2009 changed the rules of the game, but credit card companies are still paying colleges and alumni groups big bucks to market to their students ... (See Colleges and credit cards)

6 tips for avoiding the 'freshman $15,000' -- The first year of college is famous for weight gain, known as the "freshman 15," but it's also bad for gaining debt. Six college students reveal how they gained, then shed, their "freshman $15,000" ... (See Freshman debt)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 17, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged for 3rd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Weigh all costs when doing a balance transfer -- When thinking about transferring your balance to a lower rate card, you need to do the math and have a plan before you card-hop ... (See How to evaluate a balance transfer)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 10, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged in wake of U.S. credit downgrade -- Despite the downgrade of the nation’s credit rating and an announcement from the Federal Reserve, interest rates on new credit card offers stayed the same this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Retirement funds off limits for debt repayment -- At 29, a reader proposes dissolving some or all of his 401(k) to pay off $37,000 in debt. Our expert says there are other, much safer, options available ... (See 401(k) debt solution?)

5 credit score secrets of the young and FICO-savvy -- Today's 20-somethings face a stiff lending environment that looks down on short credit histories. Find out how some broke through barriers and build a solid foundation early ... (See Credit score secrets)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 3, 2011: Card APRs unchanged as run of declines stalls -- Credit card interest rates held steady this week, ending a two-week run of declines that brought APRs down from record levels ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Getting a credit card at age18 presents challenges -- It's not impossible, but qualifying for an unsecured credit card at the age of 18 presents unique challenges ... (See Qualifying for credit at age 18)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 27, 2011: Credit card APRs take 2nd straight dip -- Credit card interest rates dipped for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: New resident's quest for U.S. plastic -- Having lived in the U.S. for two years now, a reader wants to know how to go about picking -- and getting approved for -- a new credit card ... (See New U.S. credit)

5 signs of a rip-off beauty pageant -- Not all beauty pageants are legitimate enterprises. Heed these 5 warning signs before you hand over big bucks for nothing in return ... (See Beauty pageant scams)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 20, 2011: Business card drop sends credit card APRs off record highs -- Business card interest rates took a dip this week, sending overall credit card APRs down from record highs, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Getting your foot in the credit door -- Young, educated and debt-free, a reader keeps getting turned down for a credit card and wants to know how to get her credit started ... (See How to get your first credit card)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 13, 2011: Credit card APRs stay at record highs -- Summer vacationers, beware: Credit card interest rates stayed at record heights for a second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: The path to good credit after college -- Follow these four lessons on how to build a great credit profile after you graduate from college ... (See Path to good credit)

How your FICO credit score is calculated: Length of credit history -- It may not be the most important factor used to calculate your FICO credit score, but without at least some length of credit history, you won't have a score at all. ... (See FICO score)

Infographic: Women more focused than men on saving, cutting card debt -- When the Javelin Strategy & Research team polled men and women about their top financial goals in 2011, women were more frugal-minded ... (more)

Fed report: Credit card payments to college schools, alumni groups still lucrative -- With scrutiny up on once-secret credit card marketing deals with college groups, the payments are down, a Fed report said Thursday ... (See College card marketing deals)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 6, 2011: Credit card APRs hit record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers soared to record heights this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg :How do banks determine a credit card's credit limit? -- When banks issue you a credit card, how do they figure out how much credit to give you? Part of it is secret, the other part not so much ... (See Credit limits)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, June 29, 2011: Credit card APRs see rare drop -- Credit card interest rates fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report -- just the second drop since March ... (See APRs fall)

Erica Sandberg: Will student's credit suffer if mom doesn't pay school loans? -- A mom wants to know if if her son's credit will be in jeopardy if she cannot make the payments on a Parent PLUS college loan ... (See Student loans)

Infographic: The rise and fall of credit card accounts -- Compared to all other financial products, credit card accounts rose faster before the recession and fell harder during and after it, according to New York Federal Reserve data ... (more)

6 college money myths -- Some prevalent college money myths involving credit can do damage that can dog young people well after they collect their sheepskins ... (See College money myths)

Credit card interest rates move higher, near record levels -- Credit card interest rates rose slightly this week, edging closer to record heights. The national average APR on new card offers climbed to 14.84 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Government ramps up effort to educate parents about kids' ID theft -- A recent study shined a light on the growing problem of child ID theft. Now, the government is stepping up its efforts to educate parents on preventing the crimes and resolving the damage already done ... (See Child ID theft)

Erica Sandberg: Beware of debt relief phone call promises -- A woman wonders if those debt relief phone callers can help cut her $20,000 in credit card debt in half ... (See Debt settlement)

Credit card statistics, infographic: Most parents financially support their adult kids -- A May 2011 survey from the National Endowment for Financial Education finds 59 percent of parents are providing, or have provided, financial support to their adult children when they've finished school ... (See Parents supporting kids)

Infographic: Debt causes financial distress -- A May 2011 survey from the National Endowment for Financial Education finds 59 percent of parents are providing, or have provided, financial support to their adult children when they've finished school ... (more)

Credit card statistics, infographic: Americans' top 8 financial worries -- Americans are far more worried about their retirement funds (or lack thereof) than about their ability to make credit card payments, according to a poll by Gallup ... (See Money worries)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, June 15, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged for 3rd straight week -- Credit card interest rates stayed steady again this week, but that doesn't mean issuers were sitting on their hands ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Payment options for high-interest credit card debt -- Asking a credit card company to lower the interest rate on your debt can produce a variety of answers -- most of which you will not like ... (See High-interest card debt)

CreditCards.com weekly rate report, June 8, 2011: Interest rates unchanged for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Steps to make good on a defaulted student loan -- A reader wants to make good on a defaulted student loan and wonders how to go about "rehabilitating" it ... (See Student loans)

CreditCards.com weekly rate report, June 1, 2011: Interest rates unchanged this week -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new credit card offers was unchanged this week, staying fixed at 14.83 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Daughter's credit at risk when mom defaults -- A mom defaulted on three credit cards where her minor child was an authorized user. She wonders if her daughter's credit is in jeopardy ... (See Piggybacking)

CreditCards.com weekly rate report, May 25, 2011: Average APRs fall on new card offers -- A move by Wells Fargo to cut the rates on two of its popular rewards cards caused the national average to fall in CreditCards.com's weekly rate report ... (See Weekly credit card rate report, May 25, 2011)

Erica Sandberg: Rejected: How your credit history impacts card approvals -- A student is rejected for a new credit due to a limited credit history and wonders what he can do to boost his credit scores further ... (See Credit history)

Why overexposing kids to money problems is a bad idea -- Parents who use money to control their kids or share too much information about financial problems can create lasting damage ... (See Financial incest)

Kim McGrigg: Debunking a myth about wage garnishment and student loans -- A reader who defaulted on her student loan has heard that paying any amount of money on a debt can help stave off wage garnishment. Our expert debunks the myth ... (See Student loans)

Credit card interest rates climb higher -- Credit card interest rates jumped this week, after Discover raised the rate on one of its business cards. But that wasn't the only troubling news for those looking for a business credit card. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Digging out of the depths of divorce debt -- It's not uncommon to be saddled with debt post-divorce. But when you're too depressed to deal with it, asking for help is your first priority ... (See Divorce and debt)

Credit card interest rates stay steady -- Interest rates on credit card offers stayed static this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, though banks aren't standing idly ... (See Weekly rate report, May 11, 2011 )

Erica Sandberg: Are credit protection plans worth the cost? -- In all her years working with people with credit problems, our expert has never heard someone exclaim, 'My credit protection plan was a lifesaver!' ... (See Credit protection plans)

Credit card interest rates move higher -- Credit card interest rates moved higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Interest rates)

Erica Sandberg: Want to kick-start kid's credit? You've got options -- A parent asks how he can help his children establish credit. Our expert lays out his options ... (See Student credit)

VantageScore turns 5: What it is, and why it matters -- It's been five years since VantageScore was launched as a more consumer-friendly alternative to the dominant FICO credit score, but has it really made a difference? It depends on who you ask ... (See VantageScore)

Credit card interest rates unchanged again -- With the cost of gas and groceries rising, consumers can take some solace in one thing that hasn't changed much lately -- credit card interest rates ... (See Rate report, April 27, 2011 )

Erica Sandberg: 5 steps to keep your bad credit from hurting your relationship -- A bride-to-be with iffy credit is worried about ruining her husband's sparkling credit. Our expert gives her a five-step plan to keep his credit in the clear. ... (See Credit and marriage)

Erica Sandberg: The case of the mysterious credit card balance -- A reader recently got a statement for a credit card account he says he doesn't remember having. Our skeptical expert helps him to unravel the mystery ... (See Credit card mystery)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Shift in student cards sends credit card interest rates higher -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on introductory credit card offers climbed to 14.67 this week, its first jump since late February ... (See Credit card Weekly Rate Report, April 20)

Erica Sandberg: How to prioritize different types of debt -- A reader with several different types of debt can't figure which to tackle first. Our expert offers a plan to help her prioritize what she owes. ... (See Debt priorities)

Credit card interest rates unchanged for 5th straight week -- Interest rates on credit card offers remained unchanged for a record fifth straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, and experts say that’s good news for consumers ... (See Rate report)

Does 'good' debt really exist? -- Does "good" debt exist anymore? Financial experts differ, but many say that in today's economy, it's time to reconsider how we look at some common types of debt ... (See Good debt)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Credit card interest rates steady for record 4th straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers held steady for a record fourth straight week on Wednesday, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. But that doesn't mean issuers are sitting on their hands. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates unchanged for record 3rd straight week -- For the first time since CreditCards.com began tracking interest rates in 2007, APRs on new credit card offers remained unchanged for a third week in a row, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Unhappy with student loan terms? Consider these options -- A dad co-signed with his daughter on a student loan. He wants to pay it off soon, but he doesn't like the terms of the deal. Our expert lays out his options ... (See Student loan terms)

Jeremy M. Simon: What to expect when you're made an authorized user on a credit card -- A mother wonders whether making her teenage son an authorized user on her credit card will help pass on her good credit score to her teen ... (See Authorized users)

Ramit Sethi: Being rich isn't all about money -- "I Will Teach You to Be Rich" author Ramit Sethi says money experts focus more on saving money rather than making yours grow, and how being rich involves more than what's in your bank account ... (See Ramit Sethi)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Credit card interest rates unchanged for second straight week -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new credit card offers remained unchanged at 14.65 percent for the second straight week, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Can issuers close inactive credit card accounts without telling you? -- A reader is surprised that an old, dormant credit card account was closed and he wasn't told. Our expert says this is neither illegal, nor uncommon, and offers some advice ... (See Closed credit card account)

10 credit commandments for young professionals -- The money habits you form in your 20s can set you up for financial success -- or failure. Be savvy with your cash early and reap the rewards later ... (See New to credit)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Credit card interest rates stay steady -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new credit card offers held steady at 14.65 percent on Wednesday, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (more)

Erica Sandberg: Mom ruined your credit? 7 steps to recover it -- A young man is starting his career with bad credit, thanks to his mom stealing his identity years before. Our expert outlines how he can get his credit back on track ... (See Recover from ID theft)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Barclays' move sends credit card interest rates lower -- Credit card interest rates inched lower for the second straight week as more banks begin testing offers for the spring ... (See Credit card rate report, March 9, 2011)

Erica Sandberg: Card account closed? You still may be charged some fees -- A reader carries a balance on a closed credit card account and wonders why she's still being charged a maintenance fee. Our expert tells why that's not only legal, but common. ... (See Credit card maintenance fees)

Erica Sandberg: How to keep unethical debt collectors at bay -- A debtor says she's being harassed by an unethical debt collection agency. Our expert lays out the steps she can take to make the harassment stop ... (See Unethical debt collectors)

Credit card interest rates see 1st drop of 2011 -- Credit card interest rates declined this week for the first time in nearly three months. But it’s not all good news for consumers, as card offers for applicants with poor credit continue to be costly ... (See Credit card rate report, March 2, 2011)

Jeremy M. Simon: Requesting a teen's credit report isn't child's play -- A mom looking to get a copy of her teenage son's credit report finds that the process can be quite a challenge ... (See Obtaining a teenager's credit report)

Credit card interest rates rise to highest level since December -- Credit card interest rates rose slightly this week -- puncturing a multiweek lull in which all 30 credit card issuers that CreditCards.com tracks left interest rates alone. ... (See Credit card rate report, Feb. 23, 2011)

Erica Sandberg: What to do when a family member steals a minor's identity -- A woman's minor stepson is facing collections for fraudulent debt rung up by a family member. Our expert offers steps to help clear the boy's name and, potentially, take the perpetrator to court ... (See ID theft)

Credit card interest rates unchanged for 2nd straight week -- Credit card interest rates remained unchanged this week as banks returned, after a period of tumultuous change, to their seasonal slow period ... (See Rate report, Feb. 16, 2011)

Erica Sandberg: When a co-signed credit card goes bad -- A dad has been blindsided by a massive debt on a credit card that he co-signed with his daughter and then forgot about. Our expert details where he went wrong -- and how he can make things right. ... (See Co-signed credit card)

Erica Sandberg: The truth about Social Security benefits and wage garnishment -- Social Security benefits, in most cases, can't be taken as part of a wage garnishment. But a reader wonders how can tell those funds apart from other types of monies ... (See Social Security)

Credit card interest rates remain near record highs -- Credit card interest rates on new card offers were unchanged this week, lingering near record highs. ... (See Rate report)

QA with Kimberly Palmer, author of 'Generation Earn' -- For Gen Y, debt is almost inevitable, so learn to handle it wisely, argues Kimberly Palmer in her new book, "Generation Earn" ... (See Kimberly Palmer)

Chase move sends credit card interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers, already in near-record heights, continued their slow, steady climb this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

How your age affects your credit -- Whatever the stage of your financial life, see how these age-specific credit tips can help you manage your money ... (See Your age and your credit)

Federal Reserve leaves interest rates alone in first meeting of 2011 -- The Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to start 2011 in the same place it has spent the past two years -- on the sidelines. Its rate-setting committee voted to leave interest rates alone ... (See Interest rates)

Credit card interest rates unchanged, stay near record highs -- Credit card interest rates remained unchanged this week as banks took a break from adjusting new card offers. ... (See Rate report)

Barclays, State Farm push credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates again crept nearer to record levels, spurred by rate increases by Barclays and State Farm Bank, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Interest rate report)

Erica Sandberg: How to handle unethical debt collectors -- Our expert tells a reader that he has some recourse against the debt collector that is using some questionable tactics in pursuit of his defaulted student loan ... (See Debt collectors)

Credit card interest rates unchanged, despite Chase and Barclays moves -- Credit card interest rates remained unchanged this week, despite tweaks to card offers from Barclays and Chase ... (See Rate report)

Haul video parody: Don't haul yourself into credit card debt -- In this spoof of the wildly popular haul video genre, "Bridget" gives the rundown of her latest haul of purchases from Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters -- until CreditCards.com's Connie Prater jumps in to give her a reality check about just how much trouble impulse buying can be. ... (See Haul video parody)

Barclays' moves send credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates rose slightly this week after Barclays raised interest rates on two of its cards. ... (See Credit card APRs)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates unchanged as turbulent year closes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as banks wrapped up a turbulent year in which interest rates reached record highs. ... (See credit card APRs)

Erica Sandberg: Her best money advice of 2010: Excesses of youth -- Letters from a pair of ethically challenged youths gave our 'Opening Credits' columnist her two favorite questions of 2010 ... (See Money advice questions)

Erica Sandberg: 'Hard' vs. 'soft' credit pulls - The type of inquiry can affect your score -- How your credit record is pulled will affect your credit score: One type of inquiry is harmless, the other will cost you points ... (See Hard vs. soft credit pulls)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report:Barclays, Cap One moves send credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates rose for the first time in six weeks after Barclays and Capital One adjusted card offers. ... (See Rate report)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Interest rates unchanged despite move from Chase -- A Chase interest rate tweak plus a Federal Reserve announcement still added up to zero movement in the average APR on new credit card offers this week. ... (See Rate report)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates drop on Capital One changes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers continue to head lower, thanks to changes from Capital One, but that doesn't mean borrowing has become a breeze. ... (See Rate report)

7 ways credit card debt can be hazardous to your health -- Credit card debt won't just wreck your financial health. It can take a real toll on your body, too, says our expert, who has seen it happen many times ... (See Debt stress)

Debit cards on campus: convenient or a curse? -- With financial aid funds being dumped onto debit cards instead of paper checks, students have to made aware of tricky fees ... (See Debit cards on campus)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates unchanged after Thanksgiving holiday -- Banks, apparently still shaking off their tryptophan drowsiness, left interest rates on credit card offers unchanged this week ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Unsure what to save for first? Follow these top 5 savings priorities -- A college student with a young child wants to get her financial life in order. Our expert tells her that one of the keys to success is getting her priorities straight when it comes to money ... (See Savings priorities)

Erica Sandberg: Deep in debt? Focus on repayment, not credit scores -- A student with a five-figure debt wonders why his credit score is so high. Our expert says he should focus instead on getting his debt paid down ... (See Credit card debt)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card APRs fall for second straight week -- Credit card interest rates continued to fall this week, pushed lower by a business credit card. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates fall from record highs -- Credit card interest rates finally fell from record highs this week, but it's far too early for borrowers to celebrate. ... (See APRs)

Erica Sandberg: Wondering who holds your delinquent debt now? Check your credit report -- A reader wants to know which company currently holds his delinquent debt. The answer, our expert says, can be found in his credit reports ... (See Delinquent debt)

Credit card interest rates hit another record high -- If it seems like credit card interest rates are higher than they've been in a long while, you're not imagining things. This week, the national average APR on new credit cards hit another record high, according to CreditCards.com's database of card offer information. ... (See APRs)

Walmart rate hike sends credit card APRs to record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers leaped to record highs this week, following a rate hike on Walmart's Discover card ... (See Weekly rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Think twice before sharing credit card accounts with kids -- Moms and dads, beware of making your adult kid an authorized user or joint account holder on your credit card. It's noble to want to help, but their mistakes can clobber your credit. ... (See Authorized user)

Credit card APRs surge on First Premier card change -- Credit card interest rates neared record levels, after First Premier began charging the higher of two APRs to all of its new Centennial Classic cardholders. ... (See Weekly rate report)

Banks paid out $83 million in '09 to schools, alumni groups to market credit cards -- Once-secret agreements, forced into view by the 2009 credit card reform law, reveal the vast scope of student, alumni marketing ... (See College marketing deals)

Credit card interest rates rise on Chase, Cap One changes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers inched up this week, following after rate hikes from Capital One and Chase. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: The dark side of credit piggybacking -- A mom who has fallen on hard times laments that her struggles are hurting her son's credit, since he's an authorized user on her card. Our expert tells her how to clean up the mess ... (See Piggybacking)

Credit card interest rates flat despite Chase changes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged this week, despite several APR changes from Chase. ... (See Chase)

Video: 4 ways to know if it's time for a new credit card -- Just because an outfit looked great on you when you were 16 doesn't mean you'd be caught dead in it today, right? The same goes for your credit card. ... (See Video)

Credit card interest rates see 2nd straight increase -- For the second straight week, it got more expensive to get a new credit card, though only slightly ... (See Rate report)

Act fast when hit by credit card fraud, even if mom and dad were to blame -- A student had her credit ruined several years ago when her parents stole her identity and ran up debts. Now the collectors are coming after her. Our expert helps steer her toward clearing her name and credit. ... (See Parental ID theft)

Kids aren't responsible for parents' old debts, no matter what collectors say -- A reader's parents are delinquent on an old bill for her private grade-school tuition. Now that she's an adult, collectors are coming after her for payment. Our expert advises her what to do. ... (See Minors and debt)

CreditCards.com weekly survey: Interest rates jump following Capital One APR hikes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers offers jumped this week, after Capital One increased rates on seven of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com weekly survey: Interest rates fall after Sony Card returns -- Credit card interest rates fall this week after the Sony Card made its return ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com weekly survey: Interest rates remain unchanged for second-straight week -- Credit card interest rates held steady this week at their lowest levels since mid-May ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates unchanged despite NFL card's return -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, following the return of the NFL Extra Points Rewards credit card. ... (See Rate report)

6 steps for handling your 1st credit card wisely -- A reader just got her first student credit card and wonders what to do with it once she's "done" with it. Our expert tells her, but not before offering some tips for using her card wisely. ... (See First credit card)

Capital One's moves send credit card interest rates falling -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Capital One introduced lower rates on several of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

QA with Zac Bissonnette, author of 'Debt-Free U,' a book of advice on student loans -- Author Zac Bissonnette argues that the risks inherent in college loans far outweigh any benefit of a degree from a big-name school ... (See "Debt-Free U" Q&A)

Interest rates stay steady, but 59.9 percent APR reappears on First Premier card -- The national average interest rate on new credit card offers was unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, even as one issuer reintroduced an extremely high rate. ... (See Rate report)

Credit CARD Act begins final phase -- Gift card protections, requirements for reasonable fees and mandatory account reviews when interest rates are hiked are among the new consumer protections in Phase III of the Credit CARD Act of 2009. ... (more)

Wells Fargo interest rate increase sends credit card APRs higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Wells Fargo increased the rate on a card ... (See Rate report)

Duplicate of Wells Fargo move boosts credit card interest rates -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Wells Fargo increased the rate on a card ... (more)

4 steps to settling privately funded student loans -- A reader has defaulted on private education loans and wonders what his options are. Our expert offers some key steps he can take to ease his burden ... (See Student loans)

Help for bad credit: Young adults -- Young people make lots of mistakes. Unfortunately, credit mistakes don't fade into obscurity after college graduation in the way that embarrassing party stories do ... (See Help for bad credit: Young adults)

Credit card lending standards loosen for 1st time in 3 years -- It got easier to get a credit card in the second quarter of 2010, according to data released by the Federal Reserve on Monday ... (See Survey)

Want that credit card? Here are 10 things NOT to do when you apply -- When applying for a credit card, especially if you've had money problems, do one of these 10 things, and wham! You've just hurt your chances of getting approved ... (See Applying for credit)

Capital One APR decrease sends credit card interest rates to 3rd drop in 4 weeks -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for the third time in four weeks, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Capital One lowered the rate on a card product. ... (See Rates)

Amid economic uncertainty, Federal Reserve leaves interest rates alone -- Amid signs that the economic recovery is in doubt, the Federal Reserve on Tuesday kept interest rates unchanged, leaving the majority of credit cardholders protected from sudden increases in their annual percentage rates ... (See Fed)

A tattoo? Waxing? Teens, parents at odds when shopping for back-to-school supplies -- Parents may be opening their wallets more while back-to-school shopping, but teens aren't happy with what they are buying. ... (more)

Interest rates fall after Walmart card makes online return -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fall after G.E. Money brings back its Walmart Discover card. ... (See Rates)

Erica Sandberg: Is a balance transfer credit card right for you? -- A reader has $6,000 in debt on a high-interest credit card. She's considering getting a low-interest balance transfer card, but is right for her? Our expert gives her the scoop. ... (See Balance transfer)

Interest rates rise after Chase adjusts card offer -- Credit card interest rates increased following Chase's adjustment of a card offer. ... (See Rate report)

3 steps to take after destroying mom or dad's credit -- A son who did major damage to his father's credit wants to make things right. Our expert gives advice on how to get his credit -- and his relationship with his dad -- back on track. ... (See Repairing credit)

Credit card contracts unreadable for most Americans -- A CreditCards.com analysis of the contracts filed in a federal database shows most can't comprehend the agreements their credit card issuers send them ... (See Unreadable card agreements)

10 wordiest credit card agreements -- Of all the credit card contracts posted online in a new Federal Reserve database, these droned on the longest, according to a CreditCarsds.com analysis ... (more)

10 most unreadable credit card contracts -- Of all the credit card contracts posted online in a new Federal Reserve database, these were the 10 most unreadable, according to a CreditCards.com analysis ... (See Unreadable card contracts)

10 most readable credit card agreements -- Of all the credit card contracts posted online in a new Federal Reserve database, these were the 10 most readable, according to a CreditCards.com analysis ... (more)

Credit card Interest rates fall for first time since May -- Credit card interest rates fell last week for the first time in more than two months, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Take these steps to repair your credit after ID theft by parent -- A parent steals a kid's identity. It's an all-too-common story, but with patience and discipline, it can be overcome if it happens to you. ... (See Identity theft by parents)

Making a budget? Break down the 'Big 4' expenses first -- A debt-laden, recent business school graduate wants to trim some expenses to help pay his student loans. Our expert says the key is consider the four biggest areas of expense first ... (See Big 4 budget)

Credit card interest rates hold steady for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged for the second straight week, as banks left their card products alone. ... (See Rate report)

Co-signing your kid's credit is great, unless it endangers your credit -- A mom is considering co-signing on a credit card for her 18-year-old daughter. Our expert says that while helping your family is noble, it's important to do so with great caution ... (See Co-signing credit for a child)

Credit card interest rates end five-week run of increases -- The streak is over. Last week, for the first time in more than the month, the national average interest rate on a new credit card offer did not increase, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Interest rates advance for fifth consecutive week -- Credit card APRs increased for the fifth straight week, the longest increase in nearly three years. ... (more)

Credit card interest rates rise for fourth straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers tiptoed higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase. ... (See Rate report)

3 reasons not to co-sign for college students' credit cards -- The Credit CARD Act makes it harder for students under 21 to get credit cards. Thus, a 21-year-old student wants to charge his classmates to have him co-sign on a credit card. Our expert explains why this is a really bad idea ... (See Co-signing student)

Dads can be better financial role models -- While many of us learn how to manage our finances from our parents, they're not always the best role models, according to a new survey. ... (See NFCC survey)

Capital One move pushes APRs higher for 3rd straight week -- Another week brought with it another interest rate move by Capital One, sending credit card APRs still higher. ... (See Cap One)

Cap One's moves push credit card interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers surged higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, following card adjustments by Capital One. ... (See Rates)

Capital One's rate hikes send credit card interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, spurred by rate increases from Capital One. ... (See Rate report)

Are you stuck with bigger-than-expected bar bill? Depends -- A reader wants to know if he's on the hook for a higher-than-expected bar tab on his credit card after a night of partying with his friends ... (See Credit card bar tab)

Credit card interest rates remain unchanged -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after banks largely refrained from adjusting their card offers. ... (See Rate report)

8 steps toward recovering from youthful money mistakes -- A reader wants to pay off her card debts before going back to school. Our expert lays out an eight-step plan to help her do just that ... (See Pay off debt)

Nonactivated cards can still impact a credit score -- A credit card that hasn't been activated may represent a security threat, but in the calculation of your credit score, an inactive card account's existence -- or its closure -- isn't treated differently than any other credit card ... (See Inactive credit card)

Without co-signer, minor's debt likely off-limits to collectors -- A reader could no longer make payments on a card he got when he was a minor and is now dealing with collections and even a possible wage garnishment. But given his age when he signed, is the debt his responsibility? ... (See Minors and credit)

The Credit CARD of 2009 turns 1: A year-long look at the landmark legislation -- What a difference a year makes. One year ago this week, President Obama signed historic legislation revamping how Americans acquire, use and pay for credit cards. Use this time line to view key developments affecting credit card users and their accounts. ... (See CARD Act)

Congratulations, graduate! Now, do you have a post-graduation debt plan? -- Graduating from college this spring? You're probably taking more with you than your diplomas and a futon. The class of 2010 has debt, and a lot of it ... (See Graduate from student debt)

Credit card interest rates' slide continues -- Interest rates on new credit card offers declined for a record fifth straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Citi lowered rates on a card product. ... (See Interest rates)

Charge card vs. credit card: What's the better choice? -- A student with excellent credit wants a second credit card. Our expert lays out her options. ... (See Charge vs. credit)

Teaching kids good money habits by example -- You can tell your children whatever you want about money, but what they see you doing with it will make a lasting impression ... (See Money habits)

How to rent a home if you have bad credit: In recession, landlords become flexible -- Your landlord might not care about your bad credit as much as you think. With the recession and high vacancy rates, these steps can help you persuade the manager to overlook your score and let you rent ... (See Renting with bad credit)

5 steps to tackling debt while unemployed -- An unemployed reader is deep in debt and desperate. Our expert offers five tips for getting herself back on track ... (See Paying off debt)

3 reasons young homeowners may get turned down for loans -- A reader who recently bought a house also wants to buy a motorcycle, but he's frustrated that he can't get a loan. Our experts preaches patience and the virtues of budgeting wisely ... (See Loan rejection reasons )

Monthly credit card statements get remake: An interactive look at your new credit card bill -- Use this interactive guide to see how new regulations in the Credit CARD Act have changed the look of your monthly credit card statement ... (See Card statements' new look)

CARD Act didn't stop flow of credit card offers mailed to young adults -- Parents and young adults around the country may wonder why they are still getting mail offers nearly eight weeks after major portions of the CARD Act took effect. ... (See CARD Act)

Interest rates fall as issuers modify credit card offers -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after issuers tweaked the rates on several card products. ... (See Rate report)

Minors likely bear moral -- not legal -- responsibility for fraudulent debts -- Legally, minors likely bear no responsibility to repay credit card debts -- even if built up fraudulently. Morally? That's an entirely different matter. ... (See Minors and credit)

Bad credit card issuer's moves send interest rates lower -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after subprime issuer Credit One tweaked some of its card offers ... (See Rate report)

How the Credit CARD Act will affect types of credit cards -- The Credit CARD Act has pushed card issuers to make big changes -- and some types of credit cards will be impacted more than others. We look at each type. ... (See Card law impact)

8 games that clarify credit for kids -- Kids learn best from experience, which is why financial games aimed at teaching fiscal responsibility can make a boring topic fun. ... (See Play debt)

Parents' 5 other card choices for college-age children -- The plastic payment card choices for parents of young adult children changed since new law shuffled the deck. ... (See College)

Capital One's business card moves send interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, spurred by changes in Capital One's business card offerings. ... (See Rate report)

Want to boost your credit? Co-signing with parent still an option -- Young people looking for a credit boost can still co-sign with their parents, even with the passage of the Credit CARD Act. In fact, if the young adult doesn't have his own source of income, it might be his only choice. ... (See Credit)

Credit card agreement from your issuer -- Federal law now requires credit card issuers to post their agreements; find yours from this list. ... (See Agreements)

Credit card interest rates fall after Wells Fargo cuts APRs -- In what it called a "competitive pricing" move, Wells Fargo drove down the average rates on new credit cards this week by lowering the rates on four of its credit cards. ... (See Rate report)

Putting off dealing with debt problems will only make them worse -- Our expert tells a struggling college student to stop avoiding her debt problems or they will only get much worse. ... (See Debt)

Piggybacking's just one step en route to a better credit score -- Borrowers who want to boost their credit scores need to examine their own credit reports first before becoming authorized cardholders on other accounts. ... (See Piggyback)

Credit card interest rates jump, approach record highs -- Credit card interest rates reached their second-highest level on record after U.S. Bank raised rates on several of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

3 easy steps to simplify your financial life -- Sick of living in financial chaos? Get it all under control without outside help. Here are three steps to get you on your way. ... (See Chaos)

Interest rates fall as 59.9% APR credit card goes away -- Interest rates pulled back from record levels this week, although cardholders may not have much reason to cheer. ... (See Rate report)

3 ways to rebuild your credit after wage garnishment -- Consistent, timely student loan payments made via wage garnishment don't reflect positively on a credit report. But there are a few steps you can take to improve your standing. ... (See Rebuild)

Interest rates surge higher as credit card reform arrives -- Banks jacked interest rates to record levels this week, getting in their final licks against consumers ahead of the new credit card regulations. ... (See Rate report)

How to clear a minor of responsibility for card debt in 5 steps -- A worried grandparent wants to know how she can make sure that her grandson isn't held liable for debt on a credit card that his mother got in his name. ... (See Fraud)

Video: White House town hall on credit card reform -- Austan Goolsbee of the President's Council of Economic Advisers answered questions on Feb. 22 about credit card reform and what it means to you. The questions were both submitted live and in advance through CreditCards.com. ... (See Town hall)

New credit card era begins with latest CARD Act provisions -- It's a new day for credit cards. As of Feb. 22, new consumer protections within the Credit CARD Act of 2009 take effect. ... (See Era)

Video: New card law changes relationship between colleges, issuers -- The Credit CARD Act changes the once-secret agreements between card issuers and colleges by requiring schools to report any deals they make with card companies to the Federal Reserve Board. ... (See Campus)

Interest rates edge lower just ahead of CARD Act implementation -- With the Credit CARD Act's implementation just days away, experts say competition for prime borrowers may help keep rates steady. ... (See Rate report)

Once secret credit card-college marketing deals to be revealed -- The credit card reform law requires disclosure of the highly lucrative agreements under which colleges were paid to let card issuers market their wares to students, alumni. ... (See Deals)

Era of readily available credit cards for young adults ends -- Students, once coveted by card issuers, now have fewer choices for obtaining credit. ... (See Era)

Video: Big changes coming to bad-credit credit cards -- The new credit card law -- much of which takes effect on Feb. 22 -- has provisions that protect people with bad credit. Specifically, the law limits fees on subprime credit cards. What other changes will the law bring for those with poor credit? ... (See Bad credit)

White House to answer consumer questions about Credit CARD Act -- The White House will answer Americans' questions about the new credit card reform law during a live online town hall at 2 p.m. EST Feb. 22. ... (more)

Young adults slow to spot ID theft, survey shows -- The latest identity theft poll from Javelin Strategy & Research shows that despite their Web savvy, so-called millenials -- young adults between 18 and 24 -- take longer than other age groups to identity and resolves instances of ID fraud. ... (See Fraud)

3 common credit mistakes -- and how to fix them -- One credit mistake can easily lead to another and to another, as one reader found out the hard way. Her mistakes were common -- and easily avoidable. ... (See Mistakes)

Consider these options before co-signing for a card -- Considering co-signing for your son or daughter's credit card? Know that if you do, you'll bear as much legal responsibility for paying that debt off as he or she will. ... (See Co-signing)

Piggybacking is still an option, but proceed with caution -- If you're looking to help boost a FICO score, piggybacking as an authorized user on a spouse's credit card account remains an option. But if you're looking to pay to do it, you might be out of luck. ... (See Piggybacking)

Choose a credit card that matches your life stage -- Your finances change as you march through stages of life; shouldn't your credit card choice change, too? ... (See Life)

No change in credit card APRs this week -- Credit card interest rates were unchanged this week, as banks paused after pushing rates to heights not seen in more than two years. ... (See Interest rates)

Get help ASAP when debt leads to suicidal thoughts -- Debt, no matter how high, is never a reason to end one's life. If credit card debt has spawned thoughts of suicide, get help from friends, family or professionals. ... (See Help)

Looking to disappear? Deleting your credit history is far from easy -- Erasing your existing credit report is nearly impossible, although you can try to delete parts of your borrowing history. ... (See Erase)

How credit card reform impacts young adults under 21 -- Card issuers won't be able to pounce on young adults any longer with offers of freebies for a credit card application. There's a trade-off, though -- young adults will see their access to credit sharply curtailed. ... (more)

Interest rates keep rising as credit card reform looms -- As new credit card legislation draws closer, interest rates continue to rise, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (more)

Think twice before lending your credit card -- or it will cost you big -- If you let someone -- such as your underage daughter -- borrow your credit card, watch their spending carefully. If they go overboard, you're likely responsible. ... (See Beware)

Credit card interest rates hit highest level since 2007 -- The holiday from rate hikes has ended -- in a big way. Interest rates on new credit card offers skyrocketed this week to their highest levels since October 2007, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Fed issues final Credit CARD Act rules -- The Federal Reserve issued final rules implementing the second phase of the credit card reform law. They are the most significant changes in credit card laws in decades. ... (more)

New arrivals to U.S. need to rebuild credit history -- Credit history from a foreign country won't follow you to the United States, although existing financial relationships can help you begin to build a U.S. credit history. ... (See Rebuild)

Cardholders' mistakes can bring down authorized users' credit score -- When you're an authorized user on someone else's credit card account, you pay the price for other's credit mistakes. Luckily, you can take steps to minimize the damage. ... (See Piggybacking)

Personal finance predictions for 2010: Your kids -- The CARD Act crackdown on campus card promotions will likely have a chilling effect on how young adults obtain credit. ... (See Predictions)

New Year's personal finance predictions for 2010 -- You'll change the ways you and your family will spend, borrow and save, experts predict. ... (See 2010)

Credit card rates dip again, but more hikes likely coming soon -- Interest rates on new credit card offers declined slightly this week, although experts say that dip doesn't mean cardholders should expect borrowing on plastic to get cheaper anytime soon. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates keep climbing higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers climbed higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as banks continue to charge cardholders more to carry a balance. ... (more)

Credit card interest rates keep moving higher -- Credit card interest rates jumped slightly again this week, as banks continued to make it more and more costly for consumers to use their plastic. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates unchanged after holiday -- Credit card issuers took a holiday from raising interest rates this week, as experts began to see signs that consumers' access to credit may be starting to ease. ... (See Rate Report)

BofA rate hikes push national average credit card APR higher -- Annual percentage rates on new credit card offers rose slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as Bank of America increased rates on two of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card APRs fall sharply, but you shouldn't get too excited -- Annual percentage rates on new credit card offers fell sharply this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, but don't expect your APR to drop, too. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card rates' ascent shows no sign of slowing -- It just keeps getting more and more expensive to be a credit cardholder -- and analysts say there's little change in sight. ... (more)

Minors seeking a credit card will need a helping hand from mom and dad -- A 16-year-old reader wants to know how she can get her own credit card. The answer: with a little help from mom or dad. ... (See 16)

Rates steady this week, but banks keep tweaking other terms -- Banks may have left rates unchanged this week, but they nevertheless made some changes behind the scenes that could impact cardholders' pocketbooks ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates push higher again -- APRs on new credit card offers inched up to 12.64 percent this week, says the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. This continues recent trends of rising interest rates this year, as banks continue to make moves ahead of a new card law. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card rates flat as banks look for other ways to boost profits -- Interest rates may be flat, but don't cheer yet: Banks are simply shifting their money-making strategies, experts say. ... (See Rate report)

Getting an iPhone, other fancy cell phone? Mind that other number: your credit score -- If you want to get the latest iPhone or other fancy cell phone, you may find your credit score is a key number. A bad one turns your phone into an expensive connection. ... (See Dialing dollars)

Credit card APRs fall slightly, reversing recent rate-hike trend -- Credit card interest rates dropped slightly this week, after several banks made a commitment to abstaining from additional rate hikes. ... (See Rate report)

Act fast to remove authorized users when your credit goes south -- Authorized users on your credit card account suffer when your credit hits the skids. Our expert shows how to remove those users to minimize the damage. ... (See Bad credit)

Major issuers' rate hikes send national average card APR higher -- Several credit card issuers raised interest rates this week, driving the national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers upward for the third straight week to 12.64 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

American Express boosts national average credit card interest rate -- American Express this week raised annual percentage rates on several of its card offers, pushing the national average APR higher for the third time in four weeks. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card marketers drop out of college campuses -- Fall 2009 is card issuers' last unfettered chance to sign up students. Rather than give an all-out marketing blitz in its last chance, issuers pulling back. ... (See College)

When is it not a good idea to piggyback on Mom or Dad's credit? -- Becoming an authorized user on a parent, guardian or other adult's credit card account can have rewards as well as pitfalls. Bad payment habits of the account holder can ruin the authorized user's credit score. ... (more)

College students love, hate new credit card law -- College students across the country praise and condemn a new law that will restrict issuing credit cards to anyone under 21 beginning in February 2010. ... (more)

See what students across the U.S. say about changing credit card rules on campus -- Young adults will see their access to credit due restricted due to the Credit CARD Act of 2009; we surveyed campuses to see how students say it will affect them. ... (more)

Credit cards and college students: How new law changes marketing, access -- Credit cards and college students: How new law changes marketing of, access to credit cards for young adults. ... (more)

Fed: Credit card issuers, stay far away from college campus -- Under newly issued federal regulations, card issuers have to stay at least 1,000 feet away from campus. ... (See College)

Alternative ways for students to build a credit history -- The minimum age to qualify for a credit card will soon increase, requiring that students under 21 find new ways to develop positive credit histories. ... (more)

FAMU students sound off about new credit card law -- Credit cards are necessities for many on campus, students at Florida A&M University say. But others say they don't want the temptation the plastic can bring. ... (See FAMU)

Penn State students speak out about new credit card law -- Most students interviewed at Penn State University think the new laws will benefit people under 21 years of age, though some wondered whether there were exceptions to the rules. ... (See Penn State)

University of Texas students differ on new credit card law's worth -- Opinions on the new credit law varied among University of Texas students. Co-signers shouldn't be needed, some say, though others applauded the new law's restrictions, saying it would make students more responsible. ... (See Texas)

Arizona State University students sound off about new credit card law -- When asked about the new credit card law and how they manage their own credit, some students at Arizona State University said see credit cards as a step toward full adulthood. Others, however, worry about responsibility and debt. ... (See ASU)

University of Missouri students sound off on new credit card law -- Some welcome the added oversight the law gives young adults, others say show me the benefits to giving up financial independence. ... (more)

Southern Cal students opine on new credit card law -- USC students have seen parents and friends handle, and mishandle, their cards. Those students say that if the law means fewer people get in trouble with their cards, all the better. ... (more)

Emory students debate new credit card law: Helpful or just intrusive? -- Emory University students are split on the Credit Card Act. Some say that it'll help students be more responsible, but one says they don't want or need anyone to 'play mom.' ... (See Emory)

Butler University students give views on new credit card law -- Butler University students say the new credit card law is a double-edged sword. It limits students' financial choices while attempting to save students from themselves. ... (See Butler)

IUPUI students see good and bad in new credit card law -- Credit card law's limitations sets some students at ease at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, though some are wary of those restrictions. ... (See IUPUI)

Notre Dame students' opinions vary on new credit card law -- Students from the University of Notre Dame see both good and bad in the new law limiting young adults' access to credit cards. Some say it promotes responsibility, while other college students say it just treats them like kids. ... (See Notre Dame)

University of Miami students discuss new credit card law -- Students from the University of Miami give their views on the 2009 credit card law that will restrict young adults' access to cards. Some say it'll help keep young people out of debt. Others say it'll just make things harder on them. ... (See Miami)

Videos: Students react to new laws limiting their access to credit cards -- We talked to college students at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Missouri to get their reaction to new laws restricting their access to credit cards. Their opinions varied widely. Click through to see their reactions. ... (See Videos)

Fed: Want a credit card? Prove you can pay the bill -- In a new 800-page document released Sept. 29, the Fed requires credit card issuers to confirm borrowers' ability to pay. ... (See Prove it)

APRs rise, even after Fed leaves rates unchanged -- The Federal Reserve chose to leave lending rates unchanged earlier this week, but credit card issuers didn't follow suit. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card rates steady as banks struggle with uncertain economy -- Amid mixed economic signals, banks kept interest rates unchanged on credit cards offers this week at 12.28 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card video: How many students have cards? How do they use them? -- College is a time when many young people are first introduced to credit cards. In this video sampling of students, some enjoy the advantages cards offer, others fret about debt traps. ... (See Video)

After a pause, credit card interest rates resume upward march -- After staying flat the previous week, the national average interest rate on new credit card offers rose to 12.28 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

How to safely, securely destroy a credit card: 6 tips -- With credit card fraud and identity theft on the rise, a single scissor snip won't cut it anymore. ... (See Destroy)

'Pay for grades' movement stirs passions among teachers, parents -- The 'pay for grades' movement has spread from urban cores to affluent middle-class cities around the country, with supporters and opponents squaring off in equal measure over its effectiveness. ... (See Students)

Credit card APRs steady, though banks are tweaking other terms -- Even as banks continue to tinker with their business models in reaction to new credit card legislation, the national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers was unchanged this week at 12.17 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

After run of rate hikes, banks leave APRs unchanged -- Banks paused this week following a recent run of interest rate increases, leaving the national average annual percentage rate on new credit cards unchanged at 12.17 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Study: Prepaid cards full of hidden dangers -- Though touted as a way to stay debt-free, the use of prepaid cards may subject consumers to high fees -- and the money may not be safe. ... (See Fees)

Consumers gain right to opt out of credit card rate increases -- The first phase of the new Credit CARD Act of 2009 kicked in Aug. 20, lengthening notice requirements to 45 days and giving consumers the right to opt out of rate increases. ... (See Law)

Credit card APRs jump for 4th time in 5 weeks -- Following a brief pause last week, the national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers rose for the fourth time in the past five weeks to 12.06 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

After weeks of increases, credit card APRs finally stand still -- Ending a streak of three straight weekly APR increases, the national average interest rate on new credit card offers held steady this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. Just don't expect it to last. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card APRs rise for third straight week -- Borrowing money on a new credit card continues to become increasingly expensive, as banks work to protect themselves from a weak economy. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates keep moving higher -- The cost of using credit cards continues to rise, giving consumers yet another reason to keep their plastic in their wallets. ... (See Rate report)

Download a sample credit card contract for parents, young adult children -- This downloadable contract between parents and their young adult children about credit card use can be a starting point for talk about co-signing for a credit card. ... (more)

Credit card interest rates rise ahead of new law -- Regulations plus recession make card issuers pull the APR trigger and hike cardholders' rates. ... (See Rates rise)

CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report: Rates barely lower -- The national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers edged barely lower this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, but analysts expect interest rates to rise in the not-too-distant future. ... (See Rate report)

How Dad affects your debt, financial decisions -- New research finds that a father's advice, or lack of it, influences their children's money behavior later. ... (See Dad)

CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report: Rates unchanged -- Credit card interest rates didn't move this week, but experts say recently introduced laws and an eventual economic recovery likely mean higher credit card APRs in the not-too-distant future. ... (See Rate report)

New law bans card payment allocation trickery -- If you use your credit cards for balance transfers or cash advances in addition to making purchases, your credit card payments will soon go further, starting in February. ... (See Payments)

6 tools to help parents teach kids about money -- In these economically challenged times, more parents are looking for ways to help teach their kids how to handle money. Fortunately, there's a wealth of tools -- online and off -- to help them get the job done, regardless of the age of their offspring. We take a look at several of them. ... (See Help)

No more free pizza? Law will alter cozy relationship between credit card issuers, colleges -- New credit card legislation will change the cozy relationships between banks and colleges -- and mean less free pizza for students. ... (See Students)

Your keys to getting in the 700+ credit score club -- Having good credit pays -- in dollars and cents. In an ever-tightening credit market, having a solid credit history with a credit score well over 700 will open doors to money-saving opportunities ... (See Club)

Keep that first credit card after you've paid off your debts -- A taste for free food or gifts has lured many a college student into credit card debt. But when that debt is paid off, should you cancel that card or keep it around? ... (See Opening Credits)

Organizations launch sites to promote financial literacy -- As budgets tighten, bankruptcies mount, and students accrue massive debt, several consumer and banking groups have stepped in to help with new financial educational tools. ... (See Tools)

Encourage, teens, other children to learn good savings habits -- An early interest in saving money is to be commended! It gives children a head start on a lifetime of good financial habits. ... (See Savings)

Sallie Mae study finds undergraduates relying heavily on credit cards -- With the recession deepening and tuition skyrocketing, college students are looking to their credit cards and amassing debt at record levels, according to a study by Sallie Mae. ... (See Sallie Mae study)

Credit card authorized users, joint account holders: Know the difference -- The differences are significant between authorized users and joint account holders -- especially in payment responsibilities. ... (See Opening Credits)

7 tips for starting a credit history amid an economic crisis -- In today’s rocky economy, those seeking credit for the first time must adopt new strategies, think creatively. ... (See Starting a credit history during an economic crisis)

Credit card video: A look at student credit cards -- CreditCards.com editors Dan Ray and Connie Prater talk about student credit cards. ... (See Student credit card video)

Credit card video: Benefits of having a credit card -- College students discuss the benefits of owning a credit card, including convenience, as a backup source of money and for dealing with emergencies. ... (See Credit card benefits video)

Credit card glossary terms to know for first-time card users -- Ready for your first credit card? Before you start charging, here are credit card terms that will help you become a responsible credit card user. ... (See New)

Credit card glossary terms to know for when you marry -- Getting married is more than combining kitchen appliances, it's also combining finances. ... (more)

How finance experts advise teens about money -- We quizzed parents who have financial backgrounds on what money advice they would give to other parents with teens and money situations ... (See Finance experts' sage advice to their teens)

Credit card statistics, industry facts, debt statistics -- Read recent credit card statistics, surveys and research from a variety of sources. This frequently updated compilation of credit card statistics is all sourced, making fact-checking and research easy. ... (See Credit card statistics)

Your monthly credit card statement gets a makeover -- Credit card issuers have begun to roll out new monthly statements to their customers. The makeovers were required by new federal rules that take full effect July 1, 2010. ... (See Changes)

Student credit card issuers losing their welcome on campus -- Despite the big money many colleges earn from making deals with card issuers, some schools and states are clamping down on giving banks access. ... (See Unwelcome)

Tips for college students considering credit cards -- Consumer advocates and college officials offer advice to students who may not be familiar with the world of credit cards ... (See Credit)

Protecting your children from identity theft -- Since years can pass before their crime is detected, identity thieves increasingly target children. ... (See Child ID theft)

Step-by-step guide to checking your minor child's credit -- If there are indications your child's identity has been stolen, these steps will help you successfully contact the credit bureaus to check. ... (more)

7 tips for handling your first credit card -- When college students and credit cards mix, the results can be troubling. Here are seven helpful hints to keep yourself or your kids from falling quickly into the debt trap. ... (See Tips)

Authorized user piggybacking: When should the credit ride end? -- Young people who ride their parents' credit scoring coattails through 'piggybacking' eventually need to go out on their own credit paths -- but carefully, experts say. ... (See Piggybacking)

Don't hide credit woes from children, family -- How much should you tell your children about your financial difficulties? Experts say parents should let children know when the family is facing hard times, and maybe get the kids to help out. ... (See Money woes and kids)

Why students pay for college with credit cards, tips to avoid -- When money gets too tight for tuition, a growing group of students and their families break out the plastic. ... (See Cut card use)

As private college loans dry up, students may turn to credit cards -- Students facing a 'perfect storm' of tight job market and fewer available loans may have to turn to credit cards to fund their studies. ... (See Charge it)

Treasury, Ad Council team up to promote credit smarts among young consumers -- New educational campaign targets younger consumers with the message: Take control of your credit and personal finances. ... (more)

Review the new interactive credit card game -- CreditCards.com asked young consumers to review a new interactive game designed to educate 18- to 24-year-olds about credit and personal finance. ... (See Credit)

Pregnancy or paying down debt? How to fit a baby into your financial future -- Your heart -- or your ticking biological clock -- says it's time to have a baby. Your credit card bill, however, may be saying something else. ... (See Debt or diapers)

When is the right time to retire a student credit card? -- If your student credit card has a low credit limit and high interest rate, you should look to graduate to a better card. ... (See Card graduation)

10 ways students can protect against identity theft -- Campuses are often a young adult's first step away from the safety of home, so they need to raise their technological guard. ... (See Protect thyself)

Back-to-school credit card advice for students, parents -- Tips for financing the school year, dealing with credit wisely and learning how to finance post-graduation life. ... (See Credit education)

Protect your computer -- and your identity -- on campus -- Students heading to college need to take precautions to protect their computers and the sensitive information they contain. ... (See Laptop theft)

How Americans pay for college: A lot of borrowing -- Credit cards are rarely used to pay college costs, a new survey says, and when they are, it's mostly out of desperation. ... (See College credit)

Fed leaves rates unchanged; card rates to stay put -- The Federal Reserve, as expected, left a key interest rate unchanged. ... (more)

Rent a car with debit card or cash? Expect to try harder -- A CreditCards.com survey of 45 car agencies across the U.S. finds you can rent a car without a credit card, but you have to jump through more hoops. ... (more)

More colleges offer courses in money, debt management -- Basic personal finance is not typically on the short list of required college courses, but universities are realizing that the more they teach students how to manage their money now, the more prepared they are to ward off debt in the future. ... (more)

Adulthood, legal rights and credit cards: Turning 18 with a credit card -- At 18, young adults can apply for credit. Can you -- or your teenage son or daughter -- handle it? ... (more)

Lunch money goes cashless in many school cafeterias -- Getting your lunch money stolen is so 20th century. Today's school students pay for school lunches with ID cards and fingerprint scanners. ... (See Lunch)

When a child obtains a credit card, who's liable for debt? -- A 15-year-old charges up $2,000 in credit card debt. Her parents wants to know who is responsible for paying off the balance. ... (more)

Are you smarter about credit cards than a fifth grader? -- You may be surprised at how closely a child's view of the credit card world comes to the actual way plastic works -- as opposed to the carefree convenience touted in most credit card television commercials. ... (more)

Cashless campus 2.0: Student IDs evolve into multiuse payment systems -- Today's student ID cards open doors to dorms and labs, earn discounts with local merchants, sub-in for loose change at vending and copy machines, and even help with the laundry. ... (more)

3 must-ask questions for multiuse campus / student ID cards -- Campus cards, like anything involving money, are not free from potential pitfalls, and the cards' fees and policies can be as different as Buckeyes and Wolverines. ... (more)

Top 10 ways students ruin their credit -- College can be a great time to enjoy independence and build a foundation for the future, or an opportunity to begin their careers with unnecessary credit card debt. ... (more)

Students universities fees credit card processing costs -- With tuition costs rising and credit tightening, more students are opting to pull out the plastic to pay for their classes. Not all colleges like it. ... (more)

Preparing kids for credit card management -- Individuals younger than 18 must have the permission of a parent or legal guardian to obtain a credit card -- here are ways to get them started on the plastic path. ... (more)

Trying to thwart recession, Fed cuts rates by 0.75% -- The Federal Reserve, as expected, slashed a key interest rate, but whether that cut will be passed along to individual cardholders depends on the bank, the card agreement and the credit standing of the consumer. ... (more)

529-linked credit cards help make college more affordable -- New credit cards link to 529 plans and function like cash-back credit cards, putting rebates into a college savings plan ... (more)

How young is too young for credit cards? -- Preparation for wise credit card use should begin early to help children avoid trouble when they can legally apply for cards at 18. ... (more)

12 tips for renting a car with a debit card -- Renting a car with no credit card can be done, but expect extra obstacles and costs. These tips can help you overcome them. ... (See 12 tips)

Expert Q&A: Budget for debt, but not too tightly -- A recent college graduate saddled with debt needs a spending and paydown plan, but it's bound to fail unless it includes some fun, says The Credit Guy. ... (more)

Disclosures would increase on subprime credit card fees -- Subprime cards carry upfront fees that the Federal Reserve board contends are not clearly disclosed to customers. ... (more)

Regulation Z proposed changes for minimum payments -- Credit card companies and credit issuers would have to tell account holders how long it would take to repay loans if they make minimum payments. ... (more)

Regulation Z amendments would require changes in credit card terms -- Regulation Z amendments would require changes in credit card terms to be displayed in a table for easy reading. ... (more)

Rules for credit card periodic statement disclosures -- Under proposed federal rule changes, monthly credit card statements would include tables to clearly disclose fees, interest, purchases and other details. ... (more)

Credit card reform: The fine print of proposed changes to Regulation Z -- Regulation Z requires creditors to disclose all costs and terms before a new credit card's first use. However, according to the board, "Currently, there are few ... (more)

Regulation Z rules proposed for credit card fee disclosures -- Credit card companies would have to clearly disclose fees charged to credit cardholders. ... (more)

Regulation Z would require credit card APR disclosure rules -- Regulation Z would require credit card companies to clearly disclose APRs. ... (more)

Regulation amendments propose fixed rate credit cards -- Fixed credit card rates would actually be fixed under Regulation Z amendments. ... (more)

Reg Z proposes credit card notice of term changes to 45 days -- Changes in terms of credit card contracts would need 45 days' advance notice. ... (more)

Regulation Z: Feds move to change credit card rules -- The Federal Reserve Board is likely to decide on final credit card disclosure rules in 2008. ... (more)

How the public feels about Regulation Z proposed changes to credit card disclosure rules -- Comments from consumers, credit grantors, payment processors and others on proposed changes to credit card disclosure rules ... (more)

The short, unhappy life of a credit card -- On average, a card lasts must three years before delamination, degaussing or (ulp!) scissors, so CreditCards.com asked one credit card to reminisce about its short unhappy life. ... (more)

Anatomy of a credit card -- Ever wonder what all those numbers mean, or what's on that black stripe? Find out here. ... (more)

Establishing credit for your children -- The demise of so-called 'piggybacking' has closed one avenue to getting kids a credit head start, but there are others. ... (more)

University Credit Card Debt: Graduate students trying to sustain lifestyle -- Graduate students now average $8,216 in credit card debt, according to a new survey, which also says students wish they had learned earlier about handling ... (more)

CreditCards.com editorial policy, corrections policy -- CreditCards.com strives to publish accurate information. If you believe we have published something in error or wish to comment on an article, please e-mail us at editors@CreditCards.com ... (more)

Defaulting on student loans: Advice from CreditCards.com -- Defaulting on a student loan can have a number of negative consequences, including leaving the borrower with bad credit. ... (more)

For Gen M, pizza's on par with good credit -- The hard work put in by marketers and educators appears to have convinced students that it's important to keep their credit scores up. In fact, ... (more)

Discover cards: Monogrammed student cards provide the ultimate personalized effect -- New Discover cards for students give users the opportunity to fully personalize their credit cards. ... (more)

Transferring student loan to a credit cards makes sense -- occasionally -- Struggling with student loans? Learn the options of transferring to a credit card. ... (more)

Student Credit Cards: Handling debt post-graduation -- How should students handle credit card debt post-graduation? Learn some techniques at CreditCards.com. ... (more)

Prepaid cards: A good option for younger users -- For those under 18, prepaid cards are available. ... (more)

Secured credit cards offer consumers a low-cost way to rebuild their credit -- Secured credit cards offer borrowers access to a line of credit, even if those borrowers don't have good credit histories. Here's how they work. ... (See Secured cards)

Cash allowances best for kids -- Experts recommend a cash allowance for children, rather than just buying them whatever they want or allowing use of a credit card. ... (more)

Credit cards for a student? Parents play a role, too -- Learn how to avoid debt and choose the best credit cards for students ... (more)

Judge starts Credit Abuse Resistance Education to educate young credit card users -- A bankruptcy judge founds the Credit Abuse Resistance Education program dedicated to educating students about fiscal responsibility. ... (more)

Free credit reports offered to 5,000 students -- Visa provided college students with 5,000 free credit scores as part of 'Financial Literacy Month' for April 2007. ... (more)

PAYjr Prepaid Credit Card: Online account access and more -- The Payjr prepaid credit card is a MasterCard lets kids shop, but prevents them from making certain types of transactions. ... (more)

Financial literacy programs promote credit responsibility -- Lenders and universities are creating programs to help students avoid credit card debt by giving them the opportunity to gain financial literacy. ... (more)

Prepaid debit cards for teens control overspending -- Learn how debit cards for teens can be good teaching guides when set with prepaid spending limits. ... (more)

Students' credit cards: Build credit early and responsibly -- Increase in student credit card and debit card use signal changes in preferred payment methods. ... (more)

Credit Cards for Students: What you need to know -- Credit cards for college students are popular. Here are a few things they should consider. ... (more)

How to pick the best student credit card -- Selecting a student credit card must be done carefully for debt protection. ... (more)

Teaching children about credit, debit cards -- If children are going to grow up into financially responsible adults, today's adults need to explain credit and debit cards to them. ... (more)

Sallie Mae Acquisition of Upromise completed -- Sallie Mae completed its acquisition of Upromise on Aug. 23, 2006, joining the nation's top paying-for-college company with the top saving-for-college company. ... (more)

College Student Credit Cards are a Big Concern on Campus -- Studies show college student credit cards affect not only their finances, but their education as well. ... (more)

Credit Cards for Teens: Teaching children about using credit cards -- Your children might be too young to have a credit card, but they should learn about them. ... (more)

Student Credit Cards: New study on their usage -- Student credit cards are a rapidly growing market, with many college students having at least one. ... (more)

No credit credit cards -- No credit history? Learn how to establish credit and get no credit credit cards. ... (more)

Student rewards credit card: Now readily available with great benefits -- Why a student rewards credit card with great benefits is easy to attain these days. ... (more)

College Savings Credit Card: UPromise credit card -- The Upromise credit card leverages everyday credit card spending to apply money toward college ... (more)

Student credit card facts and advice from CreditCards.com -- Find student credit card facts and advice that will help you manage your account at CreditCards.com. ... (more)

Compare student credit cards, debit cards -- College students have two major forms of plastic they can use for spending -- debit and credit. Each has advantages, disadvantages. ... (more)

Students Credit Cards: Basic tips on building credit -- Read tips on how to build credit on the right foot with students credit cards at CreditCards.com. ... (more)

Credit Card Terms: A glossary of commonly used words and terms. -- Understand commonly used words, phrases, and acronyms in the credit card industry with this credit cards glossary. ... (more)

Online credit card applications: FAQ about CreditCards.com and your card application -- If you're wondering whether it's safe or smart to apply for a credit card here at CreditCards.com, it's both. Here are answers to frequently asked questions ... (more)

Student Credit Card Usage: Teenagers and college students prefer plastic -- Increase in student credit card and debit card use signal changes in preferred payment methods. ... (more)