To avoid transaction fees, use fee-free debit/credit cards (especially for international purchases), pay with cash, use direct bank transfers (ACH/Pay by Bank), and avoid ATM fees by using in-network machines. Additionally, select no-foreign-transaction-fee cards, opt for local currency, and use specialized fintech services to reduce international, currency conversion, and processing costs.
To avoid such fees, it's important to monitor your monthly transactions and find other ways to access your savings. For example, you may be able to avoid excessive transaction fees by using ATMs or making fewer, larger transfers and/or withdrawals.
No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards Explained: How To AVOID International Fees | NerdWallet
What is the 2/3/4 rule for credit cards?
The 2/3/4 rule for credit cards is a guideline, notably used by Bank of America, that limits how many new cards you can get approved for: no more than two in 30 days, three in 12 months, and four in 24 months, helping manage hard inquiries and credit risk. It's a strategy to space out applications, preventing too many hard pulls on your credit report and helping maintain financial health by avoiding over-extending yourself.
Simply put, the 20/10 rule advises that you should avoid accumulating long-term debt that exceeds 20% of your annual income, and you should avoid debt payments of more than 10% of your monthly income.
The 15/3 credit card payment method is a trendy strategy suggesting two payments per cycle: one 15 days before the statement date, and another 3 days before the due date, aiming to lower credit utilization and improve scores by reporting lower balances to bureaus, though its effectiveness varies, with some experts calling it a variation of good habits rather than a magic fix, while others find it helps manage cash flow and reduces interest by lowering average daily balances.
Some banks offer debit cards with no transaction fees, allowing customers to purchase without additional charges. ATM withdrawals. Certain banks and credit unions provide fee-free ATM withdrawals, enabling customers to access their cash without paying a surcharge. Online bill payments.
In fact, many business owners choose to implement surcharges not to penalize customers, but to keep their overall pricing competitive. Instead of increasing prices for everyone, surcharging allows businesses to pass on the processing cost only to customers who choose the credit card convenience.
Is it cheaper to use a debit or credit card abroad?
Credit cards are likely to remain more widely accepted than debit cards, especially cross-border. However, withdrawing money from ATMs abroad and the currency exchange associated with international transfers are often much cheaper with a debit card than with a credit card.
The credit card networks: The networks like Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover collect assessment fees (card brand fees) to help cover network operations and fraud protection. Your credit card processor: They help process credit card transactions, so they add a small markup on top of each transaction.
The 2-2-2 credit rule is a lender guideline, often for mortgages, suggesting you have 2 active credit accounts, each open for at least 2 years, with a minimum $2,000 limit and a history of two years of consistent, on-time payments to show you can handle credit responsibly, reducing lender risk and improving your chances for approval. It emphasizes responsible use, like keeping balances low, not just having accounts.
Using 90% of your credit card limit results in a very high credit utilization ratio, which can significantly hurt your credit score. Lenders view high utilization as a sign that you might be overextended and at a higher risk of missing payments.
The 70/20/10 rule for money is a budgeting guideline that splits your after-tax income into three categories: 70% for living expenses (needs), 20% for savings and investments, and 10% for debt repayment or charitable giving, offering a simple framework to manage spending, build wealth, and stay out of debt. This rule helps create financial discipline by ensuring a portion of your income consistently goes toward future security and paying down liabilities, preventing lifestyle creep as your income grows.
1 in 4 Americans who carry credit card balances currently owe $10,000 or more in credit card debt. Key insights from a survey of 1,447 Americans who have a credit card and do not pay their bills in full*:
How fast can I build my credit from a 500 to a 700?
The time it takes to raise your credit score from 500 to 700 can vary widely depending on your individual financial situation. On average, it may take anywhere from 12 to 24 months of responsible credit management, including timely payments and reducing debt, to see a significant improvement in your credit score.
When using a credit card, remember the golden rule: only spend what you can afford to pay off in full each month. Carrying a balance leads to interest charges that can grow quickly. Paying off your statement balance each billing cycle keeps your costs down and your credit score in good shape.
Credit card churning happens when a person applies for many credit cards to collect big sign-up and welcome bonuses. Once they get the rewards, a credit card churner usually stops using the cards or cancels them. Then, they may start over by applying for a new credit card with a different card issuer.
