CREDIT RESTORATION TIPS!

Say "No" to Cash Advances Credit card companies employ tactics such as sending you checks in the mail as often as once a week and encouraging you to use them to pay bills or treat yourself to something nice, but only in the fine print do they mention that these checks are considered a cash advance. The main reason why taking a cash advance is such a bad idea is that you start accruing interest the minute you take the advance - unlike with regular credit card purchases, there is often no grace period. You're also charged an automatic fee, usually around 2-4%, on the amount of the cash advance in addition to a higher interest rate than what you're paying on the rest of your credit card balance. To add insult to injury, the credit card company often won't consider the cash advance to be paid off until you've paid off your balance for your other purchases. The best thing to do with these checks is to shred them as soon as you receive them. This way, you'll avoid the temptation to use them and prevent would-be identity thieves from snagging them out of your trash. Many credit cards will also send you a pin number shortly after you sign up for a card so that you can use your credit card to get cash from an ATM. Shred that pin number, too - cash advances are a terrible deal for consumers. Knowledge is Power and Credit is King! #NoMoreExcuses