Beginner’s Guide To Credit Cards

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DEFINITION

Swiping a credit card is the polar opposite of using a debit card. The latter allows you to spend the money that you already have in your checking account. While, the former lets you borrow money from a financial provider. You have to pay an interest at the end of every billing statement.

Be forewarned that having a credit card does not equate to having “free” cash around. It only means that you are expected to pay back whatever you borrowed at a given period of time. Furthermore, you are held responsible to check whether you are spending within the maximum limit.

MECHANISM

How do credit cards work? As a responsible owner of a credit card, you must know the mechanism behind owning one.

Firstly, you must apply for a credit card. Research on which type of card suits your needs the best. Choose a card based on your eligibility, your credit score, your annual income, and your lifestyle. One credit card may have an annual fee, while the other may have a discounted fee for the first year.

Secondly, you must wait for the financial provider’s approval. Major credit card companies often use online services for their card applications. Thus, you will he able to review your application results immediately. Once approved, your financial provider will send you a physical card.

Thirdly, you must make purchases with your card. To spend online, simply enter your credit card number and other additional information (e.g., CVC at the back of the card). Your balance will add up as you spend. Remember to keep an eye on your credit card limit.

The last step is for you to review your billing statement and pay promptly as you have agreed.

SUGGESTION

For beginners, some of the best credit cards this year are as follows. You can count on the American Express Platinum Credit Card for rewards, OCBC 365 Card for dining benefits, and Citi VISA PremierMiles Credit Card for travel miles.

A. American Express Platinum Credit Card lets you reap these benefits:

* Receive 1 Night Stay at Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore worth S$529 upon Annual Fee payment.
* Receive an additional Samsonite Sigma 76cm Expandable Spinner worth S$600 when you spend S$4,500 within the first 3 months of Card Approval.
* Receive S$20 CapitaVouchers each, for the first two approved Supplementary Cards.
* Enjoy Love Dining @ Restaurants privileges which offers up to 50% savings on food orders at a handpicked selection of popular restaurants.
* Love Dining @ Hotels offers you exceptional year-round privileges and savings of up to 50% on food bills for unlimited visits at selected 5 star hotels around Singapore.
* Enjoy a complimentary drink with purchase of at least one item from the merchant’s menu at over a dozen fashionable bars in Singapore.

To qualify, you must have a minimum income requirement of S$50,000 per annum for Singapore Citizens and Residents and S$60,000 per annum for Expatriates. Terms and conditions apply.

B. Citi VISA PremierMiles Credit Card lets you collect travel miles, which you can use in renowned airlines’ frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs. These include Krisflyer, Asia Miles, and Qantas. You will be rewarded fast as you spend with your card. Terms and conditions apply.

C. OCBC 365 Card is best used for dining. It has a cashback promo that allows you to reap rewards whether you dine internationally or locally. Here is a layout of the rewards:

* 0.3% cashback on ALL spending
* 3% cashback on TELCO bills, local supermarkets, and online purchases
* 3% to 6% cashback when you dine in restaurants island-wide
* 5% cashback on petrol purchases
* Up to 18.3% discounts at petrol stations
* 3% cashback on medical spending – under Child Development Account
* Complimentary travel insurance (up to SGD $800 coverage)
Terms and conditions apply.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Be wise when choosing your first plastic card! 🙂

Sources: 1 & 2

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Best Personal Loans in Singapore with the Lowest Interest Rates (for 2019)

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OCBC, HSBC and Standard Chartered offer the lowest interest personal loans in Singapore, available exclusively on SingSaver.

Editor’s note: Personal loan and bank rates are subject to change. Last updated 7 October 2019.

Whether it’s due to an emergency or simple cash flow management, most of us will need a personal loan at some point. Personal loans do get a bad reputation sometimes, but if you understand how to manage cash flow and know how to take advantage of promotional interest rates, they can be used to your advantage.

The most important factor when deciding on a personal loan is the interest rate for the personal loan. The lower the interest rate, the better. This is especially true if you need to borrow a large amount. Interest rates being offered via SingSaver are often lower than the ones being offered by the bank but also take note that ultimately, the final loan interest rate will also take into account your credit score, salary and repayment history.

Also pay attention to any admin or processing fees involved (sometimes, they are waivable), annual fees, how quickly you can get your cash as well as the monthly instalments to be repaid. Here’s a quick guide on the dos and don’ts when applying for a personal loan. We’ve compared the lowest interest rate personal loans available on the market right now and shared them below.

S$20,000 LOAN WITH 3-YEAR TENOR

Bank Loan Flat Annual Interest Rate Effective Interest Rate (p.a) Processing Fees Monthly Payment
OCBC Personal Loan 3.5%* 7.27% $200 $614
HSBC Personal Loan 3.7%* 7.00% $200 (min of $88) $617
SCB CashOne Personal Loan 3.88%* 7.97% $199 (waived as cashback) $620
*NEW* SCB CashOne Fee Free Personal Loan 4.38%* 8.2% None $630

*Exclusive rate only available on SingSaver

1. OCBC Personal Loan

Enjoy the low interest rate of 3.5% p.a. (EIR 7.27% p.a.) — the lowest in the market currently — when you apply for an OCBC Personal Loan. This rate is exclusive for new to OCBC loan customers who apply via SingSaver. In addition, receive up to $320 in Capitaland vouchers with a minimum loan amount of $8,000. (Note: existing OCBC loan customers will be offered an interest rate from 4.7% p.a)

The downside for this loan is there’s a one-time processing fee of 1% of the loan amount. So if you’re looking at a $20,000 loan amount, that will be a processing fee of $200.

Do note that you will need to open an OCBC Credit Card or OCBC EasiCredit account to service your loan. Your maximum credit limit will be 6x your monthly salary if you’re earning $120,000 a year and above (if not, it will be 4x your monthly salary). Click the “Apply Now” button below, which helps you apply for both the credit account and cash loan all at once.

SingSaver Exclusive Rate

This low rate of 3.5% p.a. (EIR 7.27% p.a.) for your OCBC Personal Loan is exclusive to customers who apply through SingSaver and is not available on the bank’s own website.

Eligibility

Nationality Age Minimum Annual Income
Singaporean or Permanent Resident (PR) 21 – 65 years old S$30,000 and above
Foreigners (residing in Singapore) 21 – 65 years old S$42,000 and above

2. HSBC Personal Loan

If you’re looking at a loan tenor of 2 to 4 years, the HSBC Personal Loan offers the best annual interest rate of 3.7% p.a. (EIR 7% p.a.) for all income levels above S$30,000 per annum. This interest rate is only available on SingSaver and cannot be found on HSBC’s own website. 

The HSBC Personal Loan also offers the longest loan tenor on the market — you can spread out your payments over up to 7 years. Enjoy a waiver of the S$88 processing fee as part of your welcome offer.

Loan amounts range from a minimum of S$5,000 to a maximum of 4x your monthly salary. If your annual income exceeds S$120,000, you can borrow up to 8x your monthly salary, or a maximum of S$200,000.

Foreigners residing in Singapore will need a minimum annual income of S$40,000, and may borrow up to 2x their monthly income, or a maximum of S$100,000.

Nationality Age Minimum Annual Income Other requirements
Singaporean or Permanent Resident (PR) 21 – 65 years old S$30,000 and above N.A.
Foreigners (residing in Singapore) 21 – 65 years old S$40,000 and above Employment Pass with at least 12 months’ validity

3. Standard Chartered CashOne Personal Loan

With a guaranteed flat interest rate of 3.88% p.a. (EIR from 7.63% p.a.), regardless of loan amount or tenure, the Standard Chartered CashOne Personal Loan is one of the best options in the market.

There are no processing fees for this loan but Standard Chartered charges an annual fee of S$199 (waivable for the first year). Subsequently, a S$50 fee waiver will also be awarded (in the form of a cashback) from the second year onwards if all payment is received by the due date for the past 12 months.

What’s more, you can now get instant approval and loan disbursement – no more waiting 3-5 working days to receive your cash! From now till 29 February 2020, you can also receive an Apple AirPods worth $239 when you apply for a minimum loan of $10,000!

Nationality Age Minimum Annual Income Other requirements
Singaporean or Permanent Resident (PR) 21 – 65 years old S$30,000 and above N.A.
Foreigners (residing in Singapore) 21 – 65 years old S$60,000 and above • Foreigners must be holders of P1, P2 or Q type Singapore Employment Passes
• Q Pass holders must have minimum 1-year validity remaining on their passes

4. *NEW* Standard Chartered ‘Fee Free’ CashOne Personal Loan

For a limited time between now until October 31, Standard Chartered are offering a fee-free personal loan with a flat interest rate of 4.49% (EIR from 8.4% p.a.). It comes with:

  • annual fee permanently waived
  • no early redemption fee (after 9 months)
  • instant approval and cash if you apply via MyInfo
  • $160 cashback for successful applicants with minimum $20,000 loan

As there is no “lock-in” period, this limited offer is ideal for people looking for a fuss-free (and fee-free!) product as a means for investment or quick emergency cash.

Nationality Age Minimum Annual Income Other requirements
Singaporean or Permanent Resident (PR) 21 – 65 years old S$30,000 and above N.A.
Foreigners (residing in Singapore) 21 – 65 years old S$60,000 and above • Foreigners must be holders of P1, P2 or Q type Singapore Employment Passes
• Q Pass holders must have minimum 1-year validity remaining on their passes

If you’re still undecided, we’ve compared all the personal loans being offered by banks so you can easily compare the various terms and conditions. Compare and apply through SingSaver now and save more with exclusive welcome gifts and better interest rates.

Alternatively, check out our summary of the Best Personal Loans in Singapore 2019 for our recommendations of the best loans based on different needs.

This article first appeared on Singsaver.com.sg.

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4 Reasons Why You’re Stuck In Debt

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Are you drowning in yesteryear’s debt? You are probably pessimistic about your financial future. Eventually, all these bills may push you to your boiling point. When this happens, a fresh start is essential.

Start by being aware of the reasons why your pile of debt exists. Then, do the necessary actions to eliminate it.

YOU ARE ADDICTED TO SHOPPING

Whether you call it shopping addiction or retail therapy, you simply cannot control your spending habits. It is harmful to associate your power and confidence with material possessions. Acquiring a new designer purse may give you short-term happiness, but its price tag may bite you in the long run. At some point, your addiction may turn into financial piles of debt.

Furthermore, our society has a skewed view of what we can afford. For instance, it encourages you to purchase something as long as you can pay off the minimum amount (i.e., when purchasing a car). This mindset may take you to financial regret. You will end up spending more on a monthly or quarterly basis. Instead, do not buy things that you cannot pay for in cash.

YOUR PARTNER IS NOT ON-BOARD

Mixing finances with relationships is complex, especially if you do not see eye to eye. Differences in spending habits and financial beliefs may cause conflicts when not addressed. One of you may be fully committed to being debt-free and practical, while the other spends carelessly. To make this relationship work, you and your partner must come to terms.

In matrimony, it is solely not your money or “their” money. It is “our” money and “our” debts. You are on the same team. Please start acting like one! Plan how you will pay off each other’s debts per month.

YOU ARE UNWILLING TO SACRIFICE

One of the quickest ways to reduce debt is to cut down your expenses. If you are unwilling to sacrifice some of your wants, you will not be able to thrive. How could you possibly justify eating out four nights a week? Do you really need a cable and Netflix subscription?

When stuck in debt, you must be willing to make temporary and permanent lifestyle changes. Ask yourself on what you are willing to give up in order to build a better financial future. Or, you may start by eliminating temporary expenses.

YOU WANT TO KEEP UP WITH OTHERS

Sometimes, the social circles we expose ourselves into can dictate how we lead our lives. Constantly keeping up appearances or doing things for Instagram posting may be costly!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Yes! Your friend just had a Euro trip with her boyfriend. However, that does not mean that you have to sacrifice your credit to do the same. Following the lifestyle of others may lead you to debt or bankruptcy. You know your financial limitations more than anyone else. Be your own critique when it comes to your spending habits.

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6 Credit Card Do’s & Don’ts

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DO NOT SPEND WITHOUT CONTROL

Let me start by saying that you must not spend more than what you can afford. Remember that credit is a loan, which is meant to be repaid. It is your responsibility to stay on top of your debts and to keep your commitment with the lenders. Maintain your control by avoiding the credit limit of your cards.

DO CHECK YOUR CREDIT HISTORY

Reality check! Credit cards with premier rewards and terms fall down to candidates with the best credit. This is why it is important to see your financial circumstance in the eyes of an issuer. Consider getting a credit report, before availing a credit card. Keep your eyes peeled to some errors!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

DO NOT PICK AN UNSPECIFIC CARD

Much like a box of chocolates, credit cards exist to embody different functions. Some are used for travel miles and others are used for shopping rebates. You must figure out which credit card suits you best! Compare credit card options from different issuers, before making a grand decision.

DO KEEP UP WITH YOUR STATEMENTS

To reap the benefits of your credit cards, you must fully pay for your statement each month. Not paying the full amount entails acquiring interest. The interest that you will be paying for will just cancel out any benefits that you are meant to receive. Moreover, paying off your statement each months ensures that you stay out of debt too.

DO NOT GIVE YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION AWAY

As much as you trust a partner or a friend, you must not give your credit card information to someone else. It may entice this person to use it against the law. Say that you lent your credit card to a co-worker. While some cashiers do not check NRIC these days, you will never know when someone will ask for it. You would not want to be entangled with a “fraudulent” scene.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

DO MEMORIZE THE ISSUER’S HOTLINE

A credit card offers an additional layer of protection than a debit card. Debit cards only offer the pin numbers as protection. You see, credit card companies often have a department that follows up on reports of fraudulent charges. Things will be taken cared of, if you quickly report a stolen credit card. Thus, you must know the no-cost hotline of your credit card issuer.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Five Credit Card Safety Tips

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Whether you are doing business online or you have a physical store, payment security is a must for you. Credit card payment is one of the popular ways for customers to pay for the goods or services that they are availing.

It is essential to your business to make sure that the credit card payment you are taking is free of fraud. Consumers who are victims of fraud purchases can file chargebacks through their credit card companies, leaving you on the losing end, especially if you have already shipped the goods.

On the other hand, you have to secure your payment system as well, so the cardholder’s information will not fall on the hands of cyber thieves.

Here are some credit card safety tips for you to minimize business’ losses:

1. Verify the issuing card company

If you are taking payments over the phone and you are unsure of the issuing card company, try a BIN lookup. Just enter the first 6-8 digits of the card number, and it will tell you the issuing card company.

Knowing the issuing card company will help you if there is a need for you to report a suspected fraud. Do not even think twice in calling the issuing bank. Fraudulent transactions will do you no good. It may look like money, but it will be reversed anyway.

2. Take advantage of an Address Verification System (AVS)

Credit card companies and issuing banks cooperate with merchants to check whether the submitted billing address by the customer matches with the address on their end. Major card companies such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card support AVS.

If you are using a payment processor, talk to them on how to integrate and implement AVS on your payment processing.

Briefly, though, this is how AVS works:

  • When you make the AV request, the first 4 to 5 digits on the street address and the zip code will be checked against the address on file at the bank. For instance: 1238 Main Street, Main USA 98763. What will be checked are “1238” and “98763.”
  • There will be six return codes for the check namely: full match, partial match address, partial match zip code, no match, international, and unavailable. You will receive one of these codes.

A full match is ideal as it comes with less risk. If the shipping address matches with the address on file at their issuing bank, then it is harder for the customer to dispute the transaction.

  1. Maintain a secure network

    Invest in high-grade encryption especially that you are processing payments. In doing this, you are not only protecting your business but also your customers’ information.
    Apart from encryption, there are other ways to secure your network:
  • Install anti-malware software especially those that can run in the background.
  • Update your tools regularly so weak spots will be fixed.
  • Utilize layered security measures like using strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Always be watchful of the different fraudulent schemes of these con artists.

  1. Be PCI Security Compliant

The Payment Card Industry has set some guidelines on how to secure cardholders’ information. You can read the details of these guidelines on the PCI Security Standard Council’s website.

Take some time to read the guidelines so you can implement the security measures recommended. These measures suggested will keep the acceptance and transmission of cardholders’ information safe. Being compliant to these is one of the best ways to combat credit card fraud.

5. Be critical of customers’ purchasing behavior

As it is essential to secure your payment system technically, it is equally important for you to be vigilant on customers’ behavior.

These are few things to be watchful of on your customers:

  • Multiple items in an order especially if it doesn’t make sense.
  • Multiple orders on the same day.
  • Orders coming from countries you unusually get orders from.
  • Big items such as tv’s or laptops.

You can require additional identity verification for unusual purchases. Customers will appreciate your effort as you explain to them the purpose of what you’re doing. After all, it is for their own safety, too.

Maintaining the safety of credit card payments and making sure that you are taking payments from the legitimate cardholders will not only ensure that your business is profit-wise, it will also safeguard your reputation.

As an entrepreneur, you cannot afford to lose some profit to con artists and tarnish the reputation you are working hard to build. Carefully examine your current payment system and make the necessary changes if needed.

 

 

 

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