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5 credit card terms that can cost you

Credit card companies are in business to make money, and in an effort to do so, they have a language all their own that you need to understand. Too many card holders find out, after the fact, that misunderstood credit card terminology can cost them money.

Below are a few common terms you may want to examine more closely when shopping for credit cards.

The APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

Essentially, the APR is the interest rate, calculated on a yearly basis. Comparing the APR of competing credit cards lets you determine which card is appropriate for your financial circumstances.

What many people misunderstand is that the APR is not always the same for each feature. For example, your 17 percent rate may be for regular purchases, but should you need a cash advan.

6 tips for finding the best savings accounts

Interest rates on savings accounts may go up and down, but one constant is the a range of different rates to be had. Inevitably, some people end up on the low end of that range, but you can take steps to make sure you stay near the higher end. Beyond that, there is more to determining the best savings accounts than just comparing rates. Read through the following 6 tips and become more savings savvy.

How to find the best mortgage rates

Before you begin searching for the best mortgage rates, you'll need to decide what type of loan meshes best with your financial goals.

While the most popular loans are 30-year fixed-rate loans, you may also want to consider the benefit of a shorter term mortgage loan, such as a 15-year or 20-year loan. And if you intend to sell your property within a few years, you might also consider a hybrid adjustable rate mortgage with a fixed initial period of five, seven or 10 years.

Mortgage loan numbers to know

In order to make a valid comparison of loan costs, you'll need to know more than just the interest rate. You'll need to know:

Whether the rate is fixed or adjustable Whether you need to pay points to get the rate, and, if so, how much The annual percentage rate (APR), w.

Life insurance: Term vs. cash value

When shopping for a life insurance policy, it's vital to know the distinction between term life insurance and cash value life insurance.

Cash value life insurance, also called permanent insurance, however, lasts throughout your life and also accumulates value during that time. A portion.