No matter if you are an impulsive shopper, a severe saver or just a regular buyer you have to make purchases. The idea to save on something we often buy is really nice, and actually we've got plenty of opportunities to do this. One of them is a rewards credit card. A single credit card can save you a pretty penny on the purchases you make, if you know how to use it responsibly. The survey conducted between 1,000 customers has shown that over 85% of US cardholders carry rewards plastics, and only half of them benefit from them. The question is, how effective rewards cards are and how to make the most of them?

Have you ever wondered why you obtain the card with this very rate when your friend gets a lower rate, and how someone can be approved for a card in mere seconds? The answer is simple - it's a credit score that makes difference. It allows lenders to estimate their risks and decide whether you are creditworthy or not.

But a credit score is just a three-digit number. How can lending organizations base their decision on some number? Weird as it may sound, but a credit score, a single three-digit number, can determine your credit life for many years. Learn more about a credit score and how it affects your financial well-being!

If you're carrying a heavy balance on a high-rate card, most probably, you should know from your experience how hard it may be. The thing is, when applying for a card with great intro rates we do not bother much about the ongoing APR that can be much higher compared with the teaser rate. And somehow it becomes more and more difficult to pay your credit bills.

Fortunately, there are cards that allow solving this problem. Balance transfer cards are specially designed for those who want to pay off their high-rate debts on more favorable terms. So, what should you know before transferring your balance onto a new card?

Good news for authorized users! Fair Isaac Corporation, the creator of the widely used FICO scoring model, has announced that it would restore authorized user accounts in the calculation of the FICO credit score. Last year the company prohibited this practice also known as "piggybacking" due to a large number of abuses. Fortunately, after scientific researches Fair Isaac Corporation came up with a way that would keep authorized user accounts in the scoring formula while foiling attempts of credit repair firms to game the scoring system.

Citi bank has launched a new version of a gasoline rewards consumer credit card that offers substantial savings at the fuel pumps. With gas prices at record highs, it will be a good choice for people who are looking for a way to reduce their gas expenses. The new "ExxonMobil Platinum MasterCard" lets you earn 15 cents per gallon at more than 11,000 Exxon and Mobil gasoline stations across the U.S. Plus, the credit card comes with no annual fee and zero interest rates on balance transfers and purchases.

The invention of the Internet is one of the greatest events of the 20th century. We can do lots of things on the Internet without even leaving our homes. We can communicate with someone living thousands of miles away, do online shopping, read latest news, find all the necessary information by one click, and we also can apply for new credit cards. It's all well and good. The Internet saves our time and efforts and we can browse through websites 24/7. But it also constitutes certain dangers and we can easily become victims of fraudulent activities without even noticing it. Information is a power but when it comes into wrong hands, it may cost you dear. Learn how to protect your credit information from crooks.

Plastics for college or high-school students come as a good solution for beginners. If you are young and have no credit history, you won't face serious difficulties when applying for student plastics. The point is, these deals are specially designed to meet financial needs of youngsters. And oftentimes banks and credit companies spend way too much money to get students sign up for their cards. Most lenders offer some exclusive card design and a heap of discounts on top of that. The question is, how to make the most of a student plastic and build good credit?