If you’re well-acquainted with HBO’s Game of Thrones series, you may not realize that in addition to the excitement of rivalry, war and brow-raising scenes, you’re getting sound financial advice. The Game of Thrones season premiere brings with it the wise house words of the families residing in the land of Westeros. These family mottos, as broad as they are, carry important lessons on topics like saving money and planning for your future.
Money Mottos From the Game of Thrones
The creator of the Song of Ice and Fire book series — in which the Game of Thrones is an installment — probably wasn’t thinking about personal finance when he crafted the house words into the story.
But many of the mottos, however, provide great examples of how to set yourself up for financial success.
Tullys clearly have their priorities straight, which is exactly the kind of approach needed to manage money effectively.
To get a better understanding of your financial priorities, itemize your bills and take note of details like interest rates, balances on each account or debt and the minimum monthly payment requirement for each. Then, determ
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Who doesnt love Costco? The giant wholesale warehouse is as American as apple pie. They are so American, the only credit card they accept is American Express. So, it is only natural they would team up to provide their own card. The True Earnings Card from Costco and American Express is a card that has found its way into the purses and wallets of Americans across the country for those regular Costco customers.
The True Earnings® from Costco and American Express provides a viable cash back and gas card on the market for most Costco users (you must be a Costco member to own this card). Lets take a look at the basics.
- 3% Cash back on gas (maximum $3,000 spent annually)
- 2% Cash back on travel and at restaurants
- 1% Cash back on everything else
One caveat for prospective cardholders; there have been reviews and complaints around the web of users having their card cancelled by Costco or American Express before they were able to claim their rewards. Strange yes, but not uncommon from credit card issuers these days so make sure to use your rewards as soon as your eligible to do so!
The True Earnings Card from Costco and American Express also includes a lot of other excellent perks. Most notably:
- Six months of no interest when you first sign up for the card. The standard interest rate is 15.24% variable (which is pretty good compared to other cash back credit cards).
- No annual fee if youre a Costco member, which is $55 per card in the home. Executive Costco memberships cost a little bit extra but come with additional perks so weigh your membership options carefully.
- Standard interest rates and foreign transaction fees. This card isnt made for the traveler, so, youre better off keeping this card at home while youre abroad, because international fees can get a little pricey.
- Extended warranty and purchase protection on purchases, just in case you get those accidental damages early on in a products shelf life.
Overall, the True Earnings® Card from Costco and American Express provides a basic competitive cash back and gas card on the market. One of the lone questions I have for this card is why no extra incentives and cash back for purchases made at Costco? Yes, youll earn 1% cash back on Costco purchases but I think a greater incentive is needed. It would only make sense since this card is aimed toward the regular Costco shopper.
Like most store cards of its ilk, the True Earnings Card from Costco and American Express doesnt offer the added bonus for points or cash back for shopping at their own store. Regardless, if youre a regular Costco user, especially for their gas, which is typically the cheapest around anyway, this card is a must own.
Additional fees charged
Here are some examples:
Fees charged to close account too soon, which can be 90 or 180 days. This is a new fee.
Fees charged for paper statements, which were free previously.
Higher monthly fees charged for checking accounts.
E-banking customers charged a fee to use a teller, which was free previously.
Higher minimum balance required to quality for free checking.
Charged for incoming domestic wire transfers.
Increased the fees charged for ATM usage.
Higher overdraft fees are charged.
Charge slightly higher interest rates on loans.
Increase in the safety-deposit box fee.
Charged a fee to replace a lost debit card, which was free previously.
Check for additional fees
Make sure you review your bank statements for additional charges that you may not have been aware of. If you are being charged for services that you hadn’t been charged for previously, contact your bank to negotiate with them. Ba
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I wanted to know what I can do to obtain a real credit card. My credit rating really stinks, and its embarrassing. Its in the low 400s, and I don’t qualify for anything. To make matters worse, I’m receiving unemployment but actively seeking employment. What can I do? I cannot at this point pay any of my past debts, so I’m really stuck. I know I got myself in this mess and want to take responsibility for it. Thanks for your time and help. Michael
I’m not going to gloss over this your credit does smell pretty bad. A FICO score in the low 400s is barely above the 300 start point. That could mean one of two things: You have not yet become a responsible and adroit borrower, or you have borrowed money but failed to pay it back as promised. Because you have some debt to contend with now, those low scores are a result of the latter situation.
Squelch your shame, though. You’re one of millions of Americans who have made mistakes with credit cards. It’s easy
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Here’s a little secret big banks may not want you to know: free checking is alive and well at banks and credit unions across the country. And when we say free checking, we don’t mean conditionally free. We mean really and truly free: no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees. Although most checking accounts are free when you meet some basic requirements, such as setting up direct deposit or maintaining a minimum balance, you don’t have to deal with the hassle if you look for other offerings elsewhere. Better yet, some of these truly free checking accounts also earn interest! The only thing better than free checking is free money. After searching high and low, we found the best deals at Internet banks, community banks and credit unions. Here are ten of our top picks.
Internet Banks
If you’re the tech-savvy type who doesn’t mind managing their money online, it’s time to consider an Internet bank. Internet ba
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Do you automatically choose BP gas stations because of the sweet rewards that you get with your BP Card? If so, you may want to think twice.
BP will be slashing it’s rewards as of March 1, 2012. The new “Pump Rewards” program will take effect with reduced rewards. This is really sad because the BP Visa was one of the, if not the best gas rewards credit cards on the market assuming you filled up at BP.
Let’s take a look at the updated rewards system and how it compares to the previous system (hint hint, it’s not good!). Also, let’s explore some alternatives to the BP Card.
The First 60 DaysPrevious Program
Under the previous rewards program, BP customers earned great rewards during the first 60 days. They earned a 10 percent rebate on up to $500 in gasoline purchases – a value of $50.
Travel and Dining purchases were good for a 4 percent rebate. All other pur
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— Cindy Williams @ 11:36 am — 
April 2, 2012