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Credit Card Basics
stacked credit cards and money
credit cards
Credit Card Basics

Chapter 1: Match card and lifestyle

The smart consumer selects the card that matches his or her spending and payment habits.

Chapter 2: Credit reports and scores

Here's how to order and read your credit reports and how your credit score is affected by the reports.

Chapter 3: Costs and fees

You found a credit card with a great low interest rate. Good for you. Now, what about the fees?

Chapter 4: Managing your cards

You pay promptly and never go over the limit. But, do you know your consumer rights?

Chapter 5: Using credit wisely

Savvy spenders use credit carefully. Discover when it's smart to pull out a card and when it's not.

Chapter 6: Special-need card users

Here are the cards best for first-time applicants, students and for those with bruised credit
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Credit Card Averages
Product Rate
Balance Transfer Cards 15.92%
Cash Back Cards 16.34%
Low Interest Cards 11.01%
Rewards Cards 15.80%
Compare rates:
 

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As the economy picks up speed, credit card delinquencies are dropping, according to a new report by TransUnion.
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