Because swiping a card is less painful -- and less limiting -- than taking money out of your wallet, it's easy to get into debt. Climbing out is harder, but it can be done.
You could get turned down for your 'preapproved' credit card, and you might get a lower interest rate if you shop around on your own.
A growing number of consumers under the age of 35 are foregoing credit cards in favor of cash or debit cards to make purchases.
The right rewards card can reduce the burden of rising prices at the pump.
Beginning Sunday, merchants will be allowed to charge a fee for accepting MasterCard and Visa. It remains to be seen if they will.
Having the right credit card can help you pay down debt faster, earn rewards and build your credit score.
An expert foresees many positive developments for consumers on the personal finance front.
For the 45% of Americans with excellent credit, card companies are offering some of their best-ever deals.
VIDEO ON MSN MONEY
DATA PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2013 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE and AMEX. See delay times for other exchanges.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Thomson Reuters (click for restrictions). Real-time quotes provided by BATS Exchange. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Interactive Data Real-Time Services. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by SIX Financial Information.
Japanese stock price data provided by Nomura Research Institute Ltd.; quotes delayed 20 minutes. Canadian fund data provided by CANNEX Financial Exchanges Ltd.
TOP STOCKS
Both the incorrigibly unhampered DJIA and broader S&P 500 have been rocketing to record highs.
MARKET DISPATCHES
The Market Dispatches column has been discontinued. Here's where to find the latest stock and business news on MSN Money, and the latest from market writer Charley Blaine.
FRUGAL COOL
Starting Monday, this site is joining forces with MSN Money Smart Spending. Here's why.
MONEY & POLITICS
Breaking up big banks is an untested solution to the too big to fail problem that attempts to isolate and dismantle large, troubled institutions while protecting the rest of the economy.
SMART SPENDING
Start of summer already? Better get shopping. But give the grills and new electronics a miss for now, according to the experts at Dealnews.
SMART TAXES
The IRS is struggling to combat identify thieves who file fraudulent tax returns in the names of older residents who don't need to file.
