Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Rules for debt relief firms begin

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A debit card that pays?

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Your credit card questions answered

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Does CARD Act help credit report?

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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Debit card usage is on the rise.

DEBIT CARD USAGE IS ON THE RISE

Americans have sharply reduced their use of credit cards, and some analysts believe the trend will continue even after the economy has fully recovered. The FED has reported that credit card usage has fallen at a rate of 6.3%  in July, 2010.  In addition to that fact, a survey by Javelin Strategy & Research found that 56% of consumers used credit cards in 2009, down from 87% in 2007. Credit card usage could fall as low as 45% this year, the report said. 
 
Why is this happening, and how will it affect you? 
 
  • UNCERTAIN ECONOMY. Given the fact that consumers are dealing with a difficult economy, and a lot of uncertainly exists in many homes, "People are being extraordinarily cautious because of concerns about a double-dip recession, and jobs not being returned," says Javelin President James Van Dyke. Consumers are opting for debit cards, because they're "one of those mechanisms that allows you to spend what you have," says Martha Doran, an accounting professor at San Diego State University.
  • Credit is less available today. Most banks and lenders have slashed consumers' credit limits, sometimes  by as much as 90%, says Robert Livingstone, president of IdealCost.com,  Fla. Under a provision in the credit card reform bill, most college students can't get a credit card without a co-signer. The banks need to reduce their credit risk, and fix their balance sheets. 
  • Incentives to use debit over credit. Some cash-strapped businesses, unwilling to pay transaction fees associated with credit cards, are giving consumers incentives to pay with a debit card or cash. People want more control over their spending, and need to have the discipline associated with debit cards with limits up to the amount in the account.
  • Younger consumers are accustomed to having up-to-date information on their finances at their fingertips, and don't want to wait 30 days for a statement to come telling them what they now owe, and how much it cost them to borrow it. Van Dyke says. "Younger people have an inherent preference for real-time payment methods like debit."
U.S. Credit card debt has dropped to the lowest level in 8 years. This trend is expected to continue in 2010.

There are many companies out there that offer the reloadable debit cards, and frankly, it appears that many companies are looking to incorporate the product into their payroll processing systems.  A paper check or an ACH payment to a checking account may be a thing of the past soon!

One of the best programs out there is the NetSpend MasterCard Prepaid Card

The NetSpend MasterCard Prepaid Card provides all the conveniences of a debit card without the minimum balance requirements, overdraft fees, or bounced checks that can come along with bank accounts. Expect guaranteed approval when you order your NetSpend MasterCard Prepaid Card. There are no credit checks or bank accounts required. Reload funds on your prepaid card with free direct deposit or one of several other options, including bank transfers, PayPal® transfers, or at retail locations. Your NetSpend MasterCard Prepaid Card is insured by the FDIC up to $100,000, just like a bank account. And you can use it anywhere MasterCard is accepted, even ATMs. Sign up for free text message and email alerts, so you’ll always know your most recent balance and transactions. The NetSpend MasterCard Prepaid Card also offers the added benefit of the All-Access referral program. When your friends activate an All-Access card, you each receive cash. Apply today for your NetSpend MasterCard Prepaid Card.
Features and Benefits

Universal Acceptance
You can your Card at department stores, gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and even places where cash can't go, such as bill payments over the phone, catalogue and internet shopping. Over 30 million merchants worldwide accept MasterCard Prepaid Debit Cards.
Reload Card Options
You can reload funds on your Card an unlimited number of times. In addition you will also enjoy the flexibility of the following options to load money on the Card:
  • Direct Deposit
  • Bank ACH Transfers
  • Retail Locations
  • PayPal Transfers