Credit card news and advice - page 7

7 ways to cut credit card debt in 2021

Thursday, 21 January 2021

Whether it’s to pay for big ticket items or to support yourself through a financial emergency, there are all sorts of reasons why you might be considering a credit card this year.But while credit cards can help you out of a bind, the flipside is they could also lead you down a rabbit hole of debt, if not managed responsibly. Credit Counsellors Australia ’s senior insolvency officer, Matt Shepherd says a mistake many people make is that they treat their credit card as ‘free money’ rather than borrowed money.  “We find that when people pretend like their debt isn’t there, that’s when it can really get out of hand. Due to interest and things like [late fees], a couple hundred dollars can turn into a thousand dollars very quickly,” he says. The good news though is that you can use a credit card without ever falling into debt. All it takes is practising healthy money habits, such as sticking to a solid repayment plan and being proactive with your plastic - that might mean knowing your interest rate, reducing your credit limit or switching to a more suitable card.We spoke to three personal finance experts about their top tactics for staying debt-free over 2021. Here’s what they had to say.

Award winning credit cards revealed for 2020: Mozo Experts Choice Awards

Last updated Thursday, 31 December 2020

Aussies love to spend, and a lot of us are using credit to purchase everyday things as well as big ticket items. So, it’s important to find a credit card that suits your needs and budget. The old stigma that credit cards were something that would get you in debt has long changed, and the “smart” use of plastic has helped many Australians, consolidate debt, score rewards and even manage cash flow for their business.For the 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Awards, Mozo judges compared 215 personal credit cards and 45 business credit cards, from over 70 financial providers, proving just how saturated and complex the market can be when trying to choose one that meets your needs.“Credit cards come in all shapes and sizes, and whilst they are a convenient way to pay, many card holders are still getting stung with high rates, annual fees and unnecessary usage charges,” said Mozo Expert and awards judge, Peter Marshall.“Our awards aim to help consumers find the credit card that’s right for them, whether it’s a low rate, great rewards or an appropriate business card for their needs.”With over 16 million credit cards in the Australian market according to the Reserve Bank of Australia, finding the right one has never been more important.Credit Card Provider of the YearFor the fourth year in a row and proving that consistency is key, American Express has taken the crown yet again as Credit Card Provider of the Year!The coveted title comes together with eight individual awards in all three categories assessed; personal, rewards and business cards. So it’s no small feat for American Express to add this award to their outstanding reputation in the industry.

CommBank launches interest-free credit card Neo: here’s what you need to know

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

CommBank has officially launched its brand new interest-free credit card Neo, just three months after its announcement. Customers who sign up for a Neo interest-free credit card will have their pick of three credit limits and are assigned a monthly fee based on the limit they have selected. The credit limits and fees are:

Afterpay accepts Amex! Tips to using a credit card with Buy Now Pay Later this Christmas

Tuesday, 24 November 2020

Planning to spread the cost of Christmas using Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)? Well, just in time for the holiday spending season, credit card giant American Express has announced a new partnership with BNPL powerhouse Afterpay. According to Amex, customers can now use their credit cards to earn rewards points on Afterpay payments. All they need to do is set up their card as a payment option. The truth is, using your credit card for BNPL can be tricky business, so it’s important to know exactly how to manage your repayments and avoid further debt.

No annual fee vs Low interest credit card, which is better?

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Credit cards come in all shapes and sizes and if you’ve decided to pick one up for yourself, you might have already started comparing your options. If you like to keep your spending on the frugal side and have ruled out a rewards card, you could be tossing up between a low rate or no annual fee credit card.While both are budget-friendly choices, the type of spender you are can help determine which is the better pick for you. So if you’d like to find out the difference between a low rate and a no annual fee credit card, check out our explainer below.

Aussies could save a $2.1 billion by switching credit cards

Wednesday, 28 October 2020

If you’ve been looking for a sign to downgrade your high interest credit card, this is it. According to the latest Mozo research, if Aussies switched their high rate plastic to the market leading low rate card, we’d collectively have an annual saving of $2.1 billion or or an annual saving of $570* per cardholder! We found that the highest credit card interest rate in the Mozo database clocks in at a whopping 24.99%, 17.50% higher than the lowest credit card rate on the market. Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont believes now has never been a better time to make the switch, as many high rates come with rewards and perks that are out of the question until further notice. “At a time when travel linked rewards on high interest rate credit cards largely grounded due to the pandemic, getting value through this premium card category has become more challenging,” she said.

Credit Cards in 2020: A report into choosing the right card for your needs

Thursday, 15 October 2020

While credit cards can help with immediate expenses, they require careful consideration in the bigger picture. This is especially so in uncertain times, like those presented to us in 2020. Recent Mozo research shows that consumers are not unanimous about credit cards right now either. For example, 14% of people we surveyed mid-year said they were getting a new credit card, 12% said they were upping their existing credit limit, while 11% said they were cancelling all lines of credit. A further 19% said they are using buy now pay later services to get by instead.

5 credit card tips everyone should know

Tuesday, 13 October 2020

For a lot of us, our credit cards play an important part in our everyday spending. But like any other form of credit there are a few things to keep an eye on, including fees and interest. So whether you’ve decided to pick up your first credit card or are in need of a quick refresher, here are five tips to ensure managing your plastic is fuss-free.

Are no interest credit cards worth it?

Friday, 9 October 2020

If you like to keep up with the latest in personal finance, then you might know that interest-free credit cards are among some of the latest offers to hit the market. As the name suggests, these are credit cards that feature no interest on an ongoing basis.   In early September, NAB launched its Straight Up credit card and was shortly followed by CommBank’s Neo credit card, both resembling a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service. But should you be picking one up in the near future or are you better off sticking with a low rate credit card? To help you make a decision, we’ll look at the pros and cons, plus how they stack up to low rate and 0% introductory rates credit cards.

Do you really save with a no annual fee credit card?

Thursday, 17 September 2020

Whether you’re new to plastic or well seasoned, you have asked yourself: will I save by paying no annual fee on my credit card? Well, that all depends on your spending habits.  According to the Mozo database, credit card annual fees range from $0 to $1,200. In some instances it may be more cost effective to pay no fee and save the amount annually. But on the other hand, it could be better to pay a fee and offset it in rewards and perks or a lower interest rate. The simple way to find out if you’ll actually save money with a no annual fee credit card is to determine what type of spender you are. How exactly? Check out this scenario …