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Showing posts from February, 2023

Maximizing Your US Credit Card Rewards: How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Points and Miles!

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  Credit card rewards programs have become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years. With so many different credit card options available, it can be difficult to know which rewards program is right for you and how to get the most value out of your points and miles. In this article, we'll explore some tips and tricks for maximizing your US credit card rewards. Choose the Right Card: The first step in maximizing your credit card rewards is to choose the right card. There are many different types of rewards programs available. including cashback, points, and miles. Consider your spending habits and travel goals when choosing a card. For example, if you travel frequently, a card that offers travel miles may be a good option. If you prefer cashback, look for a card with a high cashback percentage on your regular spending categories. Make sure to also consider the annual fee and any other fees associated with the card. Understand Your Rewards Program: Once you have chose...

U.S. credit card debt jumps 18.5% and hits a record $930.6 billion

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 On the heels of another rate hike this week by the Federal Reserve, credit card annual percentage rates are already near 20%, on average, and set to climb even higher.  At the same time, more consumers are leaning on credit to afford increasingly expensive necessities, like food and rent. That helped propel total credit card debt to a record $930.6 billion at the end of 2022, a 18.5% spike from a year earlier, according to the latest quarterly report by TransUnion. The average balance rose to $5,805 over that same period, TransUnion found. At nearly 20%, if you made minimum payments toward this average credit card balance, it would take you more than 17 years to pay off the debt and cost you more than $8,213 in interest, Bankrate calculated. The share of household income going toward consumer debt is at pre-pandemic levels “Whether it’s shopping for a new car or buying eggs in the grocery store, consumers continue to be impacted in ways...

US credit card debt now totals nearly $1 trillion

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 A recent analysis raises concerns about the wellbeing of American debtors. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the amount of consumer credit card debt in the United States has increased to around $1 trillion. The survey indicated that credit card balances rose by more than $60 billion for the three months ending in December, bringing the total amount of credit card debt in the United States to an all-time high of $986 billion. Visit here: MyMilestoneCard With interest rates on credit card debt rising at the same time that credit card balances are skyrocketing, household budgets are being squeezed as high inflation depletes the savings that many people built up during the pandemic. According to WalletHub, the average credit card interest rate provided in the U.S. throughout the final three months of 2022 was 21.6%, up from around 18% the year before.  The Federal Reserve increased interest rates aggressively over time, which is what led to the recent increase in...