Credit Card Now

Big ups to Jeff over at the Sustainable Life Blog for including my post, “Brother, can you spare a swipe? Contactless card reading guitar unveiled,” in this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance.

My post, which details a wireless, touchless credit card accepting guitar by Barclays, is nuzzled into the ever-popular theme of Labor Day. Because what says Labor Day more than a raggedy bum asking for change and strumming “Like A Rolling Stone” in the corner of a busy intersection? Well … maybe that’s not the best example.

The holiday, according to the carnival, is “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.” So congratulate yourself, kick up your feet and head on over to the carnival for a short history of Labor Day and loads of great personal finance articles. Mine, he termed “dangerous, but kind of cool.” At least I think he was talking about the item, not me.

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Tags: Carnival, Playing Carnival

Dear Creditnet: My son has had his own credit card since his 18th birthday. He is a now a 20-year-old college student, has never carried a balance, and uses his credit sparingly. We taught him well.

Under the new credit card laws, will he be required to relinquish his credit card because he will not be 21 until 2011?

Answer: It’s always nice to find a parent that actually understands the value in teaching their children how to responsibly manage credit from a young age. Unfortunately, parents like you are few and far between. Believe me, your son has an enormous head start on most of his college-age peers.

Now, back to your question. Since your son already has the credit card in his name, he will not be required to give it up. W

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Tags: Card, Credit Card

If you are planning on applying for credit, a cash rebate credit card will be an advantage that you should check into. The beneficial aspects of getting money back from purchases made using a credit card are enjoyed by many.

When you sign up for a cash back card, the amount you are eligible to receive is explained in the agreement you sign. The typical amount is 1% although there are some that go even higher.

Some cards offer as much as 20% on certain things you buy. If you can get a credit card that offers different percentages for the purchases you typically make, this would be one you want. For example, a credit card may offer 5% cash back on purchases made online or 2% cash back on purchases of groceries. Of course, there are other aspects to consider such as the APR.

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Tags: Card, Credit Card, Rebate Credit, Rebate Credit Card

I know there are many types of insurance. Each month, I pay car insurance, health insurance and renters insurance, and I just got an insurance policy to cover my engagement ring. I’m familiar with homeowners insurance, pet health insurance and even identity theft insurance. But hair insurance? Voice insurance? Taste bud insurance? These policies exist, and famous figures and their endorsers actually spend big money on them.

Time.com just featured a piece on 10 odd insured body parts. Pittsburgh Steelers football player Troy Polamalu hasn’t cut his hair in years. He stars in Head & Shoulders commercials, and it was just announced that the shampoo company’s parent company, Procter & Gamble, has taken out a $1 million policy to protect the safety’s trademark hair as part of the endorsement deal. Read more…

Tags: Insurance, Insurance Edition

If you are in the market for a credit card, you will want to know what the best credit card rewards are and where you can find them. This is one of the questions heard all the time from those who are looking for credit cards.

They see all the offers for credit cards and the incentives they offer as well, but when it comes to choosing the one with the best rewards, they may be a little confused.

When looking for credit cards, the rewards are naturally one of the considerations because there are so many available today. From the cash back incentives to 0% APR to frequent flyer miles, a little of everything is offered.

There are even applications for credit cards included in the requirements of certain companies to claim prizes such as big screen TVs and computers as well as others.

While this may sound tempting, do not let it be the only reason you apply for a credit card.

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Tags: Card Rewards, Credit Card, Credit Card Rewards, Rewards