Switch Your Carrier, Keep Your Number

WLNP, which stands for Wireless Local Number Portability, enables you to change cell phone service providers within the same local area and keep the same phone number. You are allowed to port your number an existing wireless line (or even from an existing land line) to another wireless line.

The initial launch of WLNP was in the year 2003 and now the practice is fairly commonplace. Many people make use of it when obtaining a new cell phone, as it enables them to change wireless carriers without losing the phone number that they may have had for a number of years.

» Wireless Local Number Portability (WLNP) FAQ

Compare cell phone deals now or get more answers to common questions in our FAQ section.

Posted in Cell Phones | Permalink

We just added three GE Money credit cards to our ever growing, and increasingly comprehensive, list of credit card offers.

Together with GE Money, the consumer and small business financial services unit of General Electric, we have three different credit cards to offer. On our GE Money credit cards page you will find the three offers: A low APR consumer credit card, a cash rewards consumer credit card and a small business credit card.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or feedback.

Posted in Site Updates, Credit Cards, Personal Finance | Permalink

A family (or shared) plan is a group plan that is offered by many wireless carriers to families (or groups) that need to utilize more than one cell phone. With most family share plans, all cell phones on the plan share the same minutes each month. Multiple lines are all included in one account.

Most wireless carriers allow up to five lines per account for qualifying customers. If chosen wisely, this type of plan can be a cost-effective alternative to managing and paying for multiple cellular plans with different carriers and terms.

Compare family share plans now or compare all types of phones and plans from all major wireless carriers here.

Posted in Cell Phones | Permalink

Most people, at one time or another, struggle to figure out the best way to pay off debt. It is more common than you may think, and what may be even more surprising is that there are many reasonable options to help you pay off your debt. From debt consolidation to credit counseling, the options are plentiful, and can come in handy.

Read this article from the Federal Trade Commission to get information on these options, and to find out what may be the best option for you. The first step in handling your debt is to educate yourself with what options are available to you and your family. It is a step in the right direction.

Make the decision today to learn how to help cope with the stresses that debt may bring. These changes will help you to stay goal-oriented and focused.

If you decide to pursue debt consolidation, you can compare debt consolidation services. We partner only with top companies in order to help you make the wisest decisions possible.

Posted in Loans, Personal Finance | Permalink

Cell phones are getting more and more sophisticated these days, but that doesn’t mean that you necessarily need the latest and greatest technology. Unless you are in the market for a cell phone that can perform a very specific type of action, a basic cellular phone will probably suit your needs. Even basic cell phones are pretty advanced these days.

Free Cell Phone Deals: With the exception of phones that include the latest technology, many cell phones can be obtained free of charge or for a low cost (sometimes rebates are involved) if you sign up with a carrier for a specified amount of time. You don’t have to look very hard to find a deal that includes a free cell phone when service is activated.

The only thing to keep in mind is that most deals that include a free phone require the user to sign up for either one or two years. Read How to Pick the Right Cell Phone and Plan for more information about contract length or other aspects about signing up for wireless service.

Compare cell phone deals now or get more answers to common questions in our FAQ section.

Posted in Cell Phones | Permalink

Roaming is the act of using a wireless phone outside of its specified home coverage area. Regional roaming refers to calls made outside of the local calling area but (usually) within the same state. National roaming refers to calls made outside of the home state calling area. Unless otherwise specified, roaming usually carries an additional charge.

For example, if you live in City A but travel many miles to City B and use your phone, that is considered roaming. You may be charged extra for any calls initiated in City B or received outside of your home calling area of City A.

Be sure to understand how roaming will be dealt with before signing up for a specific cellular plan, especially if you travel frequently. Many carriers now offer free roaming with certain wireless plans.

Compare cell phone deals now or get more answers to common questions in our FAQ section.

Posted in Cell Phones | Permalink

Loan consolidation is the process of combining multiple outstanding loans into a single new loan, which can be repaid over an extended period of time with a single (usually lower) monthly payment.

Consolidating your student loans can free up money in the short term by lowering your monthly payment and can also save you money in the long term by attaching a lower interest rate to the total loan amount. Consolidation can also save time and frustration by combining all of your loans into one simple monthly payment.

But, like most loans, you must be fully aware of your current situation in order to make a knowledgeable decision about the future. Be sure to know the loan terms that you currently have. Familiarize yourself with your current loan situation before deciding whether or not to consolidate.

In some cases, consolidation can save money in the short term but can also significantly increase the total cost of repaying your loans. If, for example, your consolidation extends the payment terms to 30 years (from 10 or 20), you’ll end up making more payments and paying more in interest in the end. Be aware of this type of scenario.

The above is just one of many possible scenarios and it would be difficult to cover all possibilities here. So, if you’re in need of further information before deciding whether or not to consolidate, Bankrate has a thorough FAQ article that answers a ton of questions about the details of student loan consolidation. Also, you can learn about different types of repayment plans here.

If you decide that student loan consolidation is the right desicion, you can compare some of the student loan consolidation options that are available. Be sure to research completely before making your final decision - it is an important one.

Posted in Loans, Personal Finance | Permalink

Information about foreign transaction fees on purchases made overseas

Recently, it seems that many credit card companies and banks are changing their policies regarding international transactions and/or foreign currency exchanges. So, people who make purchases with their credit card overseas are now often being charged a foreign transaction fee on those purchases.

In general, it seems that many credit cards now charge between a 1% and 3% fee for all international transactions. However, as of the date of this article, many Capital One credit cards still do not charge any transaction fees on foreign purchases. You can Compare Capital One credit card offers here, but be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. Terms and conditions can vary from card to card and can also change over time.

Another tip that many people find useful is using a debit card or prepaid card overseas whenever possible. Some debit cards charge a lower transaction fee than credit cards, or don’t charge a fee at all. Check your current debit card terms and conditions to find out what rate is charged. If you don’t have a debit card, this is another option that you may want to look into.

Another good reference on international transaction fees is Bankrate’s currency conversion costs chart.

Compare credit cards now or get more answers to common questions in our credit card FAQ section.

Posted in Credit Cards, Personal Finance | Permalink

Fixed APR credit cards carry a fixed (stable) interest rate that typically lasts for as long as you use the card. For example, if you transfer a balance to a credit card with a fixed APR on balance transfers of 10%, the APR for this balance will typically stay at this 10% level until the balance is paid in full.

In summary, a fixed APR on a particular balance lasts for the life of that balance. This differs from an variable APR, which can change over time. Some credit cards offer a fixed APR on only purchases, some offer a fixed APR on only balance transfers and some offer a fixed APR on both purchases and balance transfers. So it is possible to have, for example, a credit card with a fixed APR on balance transfers but a variable APR on purchases.

Some people choose a fixed APR credit card to ease the burden of constantly switching balances from one card to another once low introductory APRs disappear and higher APRs take over.

Every credit card is a bit different and promotional offers often change, so be sure to thoroughly look over the terms and conditions for each specific card before applying.

Compare fixed APR credit card offers now or learn more about different types of credit cards in our FAQ section.

Posted in Credit Cards, Personal Finance | Permalink

An introductory annual percentage rate (APR) is a temporary APR that typically changes to a higher rate after the intro period (typically 3-12 months). Some people make use of these introductory rate promotions to make a large purchase (or purchases), which they can then pay off over the course of a few months.

With this type of offer, it is important to know when the introductory rate will expire and what the rate will change to after the initial period of time. Also, some credit cards have an intro APR attached to only purchases, some have an intro APR attached to only balance transfers and some have an intro APR attached to both balance transfers and purchases.

Every credit card is a bit different and promotional offers often change, so be sure to thoroughly look over the terms and conditions for each specific card before applying.

Compare credit card offers now or learn more about different types of credit cards in our FAQ section.

Posted in Credit Cards, Personal Finance | Permalink