With credit card debt being at an all-time high, it is not surprising that many cardholders are choosing to cancel some of their cards to avoid debt and simplify the management of multiple credit accounts. Repaying a large amount of debt and repairing the credit score after being a victim of credit card debt can be a process that takes years to complete. Thus, many cardholders choose to simply close their credit accounts, rather than risk accumulating even more debt in the near future. Although this may seem to be the wisest decision, there are several factors that need to be considered before a credit card account is canceled.
Current Interest Rates
While low interest rates may seem useless to an individual who is in debt and cannot afford to make credit card repayments, they are an increasing rarity in today’s credit card market. I
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Signed into law over a year ago, the credit card bill of rights was touted as protection against practices and fees imposed by credit card issuers on to consumers and which have long been considered arbitrary. Just to refresh your memory, banks must practice the following:
- No more arbitrary rate increases: cardholders must be notified prior to such a move.
- Periodic reviews and reduction of a cardholder’s annual percentage rate (APR) where it is warranted or requested: reviews should take place every 6 months.
- Allocate payments fairly: payments made should go towards balances accruing higher interest.
- No universal default: a cardholder cannot be penalized on Card B should he/she default on Card A.
- No double-cycle billing: banks cannot charge late fees on payment that has been made for a previous billing cycle.
- No phone-payment surcharge
- Elimination of due date gimmicks: payment made by 5 p.m. E
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The credit rebuilding process can take between several months and several years, depending on how badly the credit score has been damaged. Unfortunately, without persistence, patience, and a proper repayment strategy, even a seemingly small amount of debt can accumulate into a significant financial challenge. The following are three practices to avoid when rebuilding credit, in order to simplify and expedite the process as much as possible.
1. Utilizing Loans to Repay Credit Card Debts
Repaying credit card debts is the first step in rebuilding the credit score. Although applying for a loan and repaying all credit card debts with one lump sum is an appealing concept, the logic behind this method of credit card repayment is flawed, as the cardholder is simply transferring debt from a credit card account to a payday/debt consolidation loan, which will often have a higher interest rate than the credit cards that they are used to repay.
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Credit card debt seems to be the most discussed definition in the world of credit cards. Obviously credit cards have been very safe and suitable for us and we indeed, treat credit cards as a necessity. However, every coin has two sides. There is credit card debt in the world of credit card and debt consolidation is often regarded as one of the best debt solutions for treating credit card debt.
Almost any person over 18 years old knows what credit card debt consolidation is. In short, the process of consolidating debt which you hold on various credit cards high in APR on a single credit card with low APR. Thus, the main advantage of debt consolidation is performed in terms of APR reduction. This is presented as the most important advantage from debt consolidation. However, this debt solution has some advantages over well. Read all post…