Student Credit Card Identity Protection

Student Credit Card Terms and Identity protection
From: StudentCreditCards.com


Student Credit Card Terms Defined

One of the first things a student hears when he or she is looking for a credit card is to “make sure you find the terms that are best for you.” This sounds helpful, but what does it really mean? In order to clarify what student credit card terms are right for you, you must first understand the different types of terms.

Perhaps the most important term is annual percentage rate (APR). The APR is the percent at which you are charged for using credit. Essentially, it is a measure of the cost of credit based on a yearly rate. The lower the APR, the better.

Another key term is periodic rate. This is the rate the card lender charges to the outstanding balance of the credit card on a monthly basis. Both the APR and periodic rate should be disclosed to the student before an application for credit is submitted.

Certain student credit cards offer what is called a variable rate plan. This type of plan allows the interest rate to change based on the current performance of the index. With a variable rate plan, the interest fee may increase or decrease. Again, everything revolves around the index. Variable rate plans can change monthly, quarterly, or annually. It is the card issuer’s responsibility to tell the student how often and when a variable rate plan is adjusted.

In general, it is a smart move to apply for student credit cards that offer a free period or grace period. The free period allows the student to completely avoid finance charges if the card’s balance is paid in full prior to the monthly due date. For example, if a student uses a credit card to purchase $100 in clothes and pays the creditor $100 during the free period, he or she is not subject to a finance charge.

Lastly, beware of annual fees. Not all credit card companies charge a yearly fee. The companies that do charge, typically bill $25 to $100 for simply owning the card..

Now, on to How To Protect Your Identity

Identity theft can create an unimaginable nightmare for the victim. By definition, identity theft occurs when someone uses another’s identity as his or her own. Identity thieves typically use the alias to apply for credit. Luckily, there are some things that can be done to protect against identity theft that everyone should consider doing.

When it comes to personal information, it is best kept personal. Bank account numbers, social security numbers, pin numbers should all be closely guarded. This information is gold to a would-be identity thief. Additionally, credit card numbers should be kept under wraps to prevent fraudulent purchases by a credit card bandit.

Along with protecting personal information, it is important to monitor your credit statements each month. For example, if you have a student credit card, know when to expect its arrival in the mail each month. With the statement in hand, review the statement’s charges closely and verify the charges are all legitimate. Contact the credit card company immediately if there are any unaccounted for transactions on the card.

Shredding documents such as pay stubs, credit card statements, and applications for student credit cards is another way to protect your identity. Whenever applicable, put passwords on important accounts such as college student credit cards and bank accounts. The password should be difficult to guess and include both numbers and alphabet characters.

As previously mentioned, an individual’s social security number is an important and valuable number. Do not carry your social security card on your person. Additionally, don’t give out your social security number unless it is absolutely necessary. If someone contacts you and requests your number, beware. E-mail and telephone scammers can sound very legitimate, therefore make it a personal policy to never give out vital information unless you are 100 percent sure it is safe.

Learn more or compare cards at http://www.studentcreditcards.com

Students and Secured Credit Cards

When you enter college, you may soon find the need to apply for student credit cards. There are a few reasons to get a student credit card. The most common reason to get a credit card is for emergencies. Emergency medical care, vehicle repairs, unexpected school expenses and avoiding starvation may all be reasons to apply for a student credit card. Another reason is simply to start building your credit.
Most students don’t have a credit score or any credit history because of their age. There are special offers from credit card companies out there to combat the problem of constantly being rejected for credit because of an insufficient credit history. Many of these student credit card offers require that you be enrolled in school to qualify. The idea is that you are receiving an education that will later allow you the funds to repay any debts that you incur during college. This makes you less of a risk to the credit card company than someone your age that isn’t in school. It is assumed that you will make more money in the future than those who aren’t furthering their education.
Qualifying for a student credit card is easier if you are currently employed. If you are not, then you still may qualify for a secured credit card. A secured credit card is a card that has a deposit account attached to it. This means that you will be required to deposit money to get the card. You will usually be asked to deposit up to five hundred dollars. This can usually get you a credit limit of between five hundred and one thousand dollars. The credit limit is the amount that you can charge up to.
Secured credit cards show great responsibility and can build your credit very quickly. Basically it tells the credit card company that you have the foresight to save money and use it to build your credit, investing in your future. You must make every payment on time and pay more than the minimum amount that is due. If you don’t, then you run the great risk of damaging your credit very early in the game. Consider your credit card the catalyst for proving your responsibility. Don’t run your credit card up to the limit unless it is absolutely necessary. If you do, then pay it back down as soon as possible. Holding a balance that is close to the limit can hurt your credit score.
Shop around and choose wisely when selecting which card you want to apply for. Apply only for the ones that you really believe you’ll be approved for. Watch out for extra fees or high annual percentage rates. Take advantage of special deals offered to students, but disregard them if they turn into high rates and high fees after the promotional period is over. Be responsible and always make your payments on time. Proving yourself now can lead to the best deals on major purchases in the future. If you do well and keep your credit score high, then you’ll enjoy special deals and the best interest rates for years to come. Your student credit card could be the start of your successful financial future.

About the Author: Mary Wallace, a retired teacher, is the editor for studentcreditcards.com, a provider of student credit cards and information plus consolidation of student credit cards. For more information, please visit http://www.studentcreditcards.com.

Budgeting for Students

Budgeting can be especially hard for students. There is so much new responsibility in their lives and money is a big one. Many students have never been in charge of their own finances before and they probably haven’t had much guidance in this area. If your child is going off to college or is already a student, you may want to educate them on financial matters.
Most adults know what budgeting is all about, but it may surprise you to know that most students going into college have no idea what that word actually means. You know as a parent how hard it can be to stick to a budget and you should expect that your college student will struggle with it as well. Keep in mind that this may be the first time that they have to exhibit self-discipline. The first step is to simply explain what budgeting is. Budgeting is basically a plan that lists all of your money coming in and money going out. Remember that everyone learns differently, so you may want to also write down a mock budget plan for them. Getting them to write it is also a good idea. Once you get the idea of a budget into their heads, then you can move on to the next step.
Next you want to make sure that all sources of income are accounted for. Student loans, income from their job if they have one, scholarship money, allowance from their parents or family, and any other benefit monies they may have coming in. At this point, most students will think that the amount of income looks great. They probably haven’t had this much money at their disposal before, and may suddenly get the itch to go shopping. A big mistake is for students to use the amount coming in as an excuse to spend five dollars here and there all month long. They won’t even know what happened when the money is gone. This is why it is very important to accurately track expenses in the next step.
Staying on top of money spent is a very hard discipline to learn. First they need to make an accurate list of their expected expenses. Books, bills, cafeteria, groceries, school and personal supplies, gas and don’t forget recreation. Going out with friends is an important social part of their lives and they need to budget for it. Clothing is something that they will definitely need as well. Doctor visits and prescriptions need to be planned for. There are lots of little things that you may not think of yet, which is why the next section is important as well.
Include an unexpected expense section in your child’s budget. Here is where they should note any extra expenses that came up during the month. Oil changes, auto repair, an emergency room visit, replacing a cell phone, anything that they didn’t expect that ended up cutting into their budget. Writing it down will help them look back in future months and determine if it’s something that could happen again that they should plan for.
Keeping up with the budget will most likely prove challenging for most students. Creating a separate savings account will help separate money that needs to be saved from disposable income. Taking out cash instead of using a debit card is a very effective way to stick to a budget. Encourage your child to leave their debit card at home when they go out with friends and only use the cash that is accounted for in the budget. You may want to educate your child on the importance of being responsible with credit as well and help them look for student credit cards that could help them out of a real emergency while they are away at school.

About the Author: Mary Wallace, a retired teacher, is the editor for studentcreditcards.com, a provider of student credit cards and information plus consolidation of student credit cards. For more information, please visit http://www.studentcreditcards.com

Students Can Establish Credit

Students are uniquely positioned to establish their credit. Lenders and credit card companies realize that they are just starting out and may not have any credit history yet. There are companies that offer credit cards specifically to students to help them establish their credit. If you’re a student looking to establish credit, then you are smart to start early. Things like buying a house or financing an auto loan usually require a credit history, and as a student, these things are most likely in your future.
Establishing credit will let lenders and credit card companies see if you are good at handling finances or not. When you’re in the process of establishing your credit, keep in mind what a lender might be looking for. They want someone who has proven that they can make payments on time. They also want to know that they’ll make some money on the interest that you’ll pay. Therefore, getting a student credit card and paying it off in full every month isn’t necessarily the best thing to do. It’s generally a good idea to pay more than your minimum payment each month to show that you aren’t neglecting the balance all together. Leaving a small balance shows lenders that you aren’t opposed to paying a little bit of interest each month. Don’t run your card up to the limit, or that will make lenders think that you can’t handle having available credit without spending it all.
You want to look as responsible as possible without keeping the credit card company from making any money. A good rule of thumb is to not run your credit up over 50% of your total credit line. Shop around for good rates on student credit cards, but don’t fill out too many applications. Apply for the ones that you believe to have the best percentage rates and the least amount of fees. When you fill out a lot of applications, they appear as inquiries on your credit. This isn’t bad unless it’s a lot. This makes you look like you’re desperate to get a lot of cards. Lenders may see that as an irresponsible move, or decline your request based on the fact that you may have a lot of other cards in route to you.
Paying all of your bills on time will help you when you go to buy a house. This includes cell phone, electricity and even cable bills. These bills, however, won’t affect your credit because you’re paying for a service, not paying off borrowed money. Paying your credit card bills or loan installments is very important. These payments will be on your credit and your payment history for each will be looked at for years to come by prospective lenders and banks. Don’t neglect to make on-time payments to anyone that you’ve borrowed from, even if that means paying your power bill a little late. Credit cards and loans should come first when you pay your bills.
Getting student credit cards can help you establish a good credit score if you treat them with respect. Responsibility is key. Keep these guidelines in mind and you can have a good credit score in just a few short months.

About the Author: Mary Wallace, a retired teacher, is the editor for studentcreditcards.com, a provider of student credit cards and information plus consolidation of student credit cards. For more information, please visit http://www.studentcreditcards.com

Grocery Shopping for Students

If you’re a student, you’ve probably figured out a few ways to stretch your money. Making your money last can be a real challenge and many students could use some help. One of your biggest expenses, besides your normal bills and tuition, is grocery shopping. New students may have never shopped for themselves before and may find it challenging to squeeze what they want into a tiny grocery allowance.
The first step is to always check your budget before you go to the store. Your budget should show how much money you have coming in and how much you have automatically going back out. Cell phone bills, rent, tuition, books, electricity and water will all be deducted from the amount that you have coming in. Once you’re pretty sure that you’ve accounted for each thing that you’ll need money for, then figure out how much you’ll need for recreation, food, gas and other essentials like laundry detergent and toilet paper. Remember that your grocery store trip will include buying all of these things, not just food.
Once you’ve come up with an amount that can be spent on just food, figure out how many meals you’ll need to cover on that amount. Plan your grocery list by considering what you’ll eat for each meal. Don’t make the mistake of buying a whole lot of snacks and running out of things to cook for dinner after just a few days. Don’t panic if you get down to just a couple of dollars allowed for each meal. There are plenty of ways to eat good food on a small budget.
One way is to buy in bulk. You can buy a big bag of frozen chicken tenders for around ten dollars. Then, you can use the chicken for easy meals like barbeque chicken, chicken sandwiches, boxed meals that only require you to add chicken, and many other good dishes that are good for you. A college student cooking for themselves can get about ten meals out of one bag of chicken. Hot dogs are not necessarily the healthiest thing you could choose, but you can get between four and eight meals from one package. There are always the college student staples of macaroni and cheese or ramen noodles as well.
Soups are also cheap options and are available in hearty recipes that will actually fill you up. Eggs and milk can go a long way as well. Now that it’s winter, a big pot of chili is a healthy cheap option. You can make one big pot of chili for around ten dollars and it keeps well in the fridge. You can quickly microwave bowls of chili for a week off of one pot.
Don’t despair if you have a tiny grocery budget. Shop around for coupons and find out if a store near you does double or triple coupon days. Shop for the best deals and get the most meals from each purchase that you can. Don’t forget to ask your parents for suggestions. Chances are, they’ve been through the small budget grocery crisis before, and can give you recipes and tips to survive on a small budget.
If you expect that you’ll really be broke and have no money for food at some point, then you may consider student credit cards as an option to get you out of a bind and build some credit at the same time.

About the Author: Mary Wallace, a retired teacher, is the editor for studentcreditcards.com, a provider of student credit cards and information plus consolidation of student credit cards. For more information, please visit http://www.studentcreditcards.com