Resources for Visa Cardholders

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Having a credit card is certainly convenient, isn't it? The resources on this page will help you to deal with what this means to you, your credit, your budget, and more.

Calculators

• Calculator: Interest Rates and My Monthly Payment The graphs and tables in this calculator show the relationship between interest rates, the time it takes to pay off the debt, and the total amount of interest paid.
• Calculator: How Will Rate Changes Affect My Balance? See how changing your card's APR and the amount to pay each month can affect your balance.
• Calculator: Is a Lower Rate Worth the Annual Fee? Determine the tradeoff in holding a no-annual fee card with a higher interest rate versus an annual fee card with a lower rate, based on your typical usage and payment strategy. You can even include any introductory "teaser" rates in the calculation. Note that with Provident Visas you get an introductory rate with NO annual fee!
• Calculator: How Long Will it Take to Pay Off My Balance? Determine what monthly payment is necessary to pay off your card balance in the desired period, based on your current balance, and how much you charge each month.
• Calculator: Should I Consolidate My Debts? Determine if a debt consolidation loan is right for you, by seeing how much it will save you in total, while potentially lowering your monthly payments. Includes total interest paid, and the tax savings from possible deductions if you choose a home equity loan.
• Calculator: Should I Consolidate My Credit Cards? See how much it will save you to move all your other credit card balances over to a lower interest card. Shows monthly payments, interest expense and fees, and total cost in today's dollars.
• Calculator: Which is Better: Points Card or Low Rate Card? Determine the monetary tradeoff in holding a frequent-flier award card versus a lower interest rate card. Include "teaser" rates and plan details for a complete analysis of which card provides the better deal.

Additional Tools

• Interactive Worksheet: Balance Your Budget Estimate your budget instantly and work out areas where you can save money each month, using this interactive worksheet.
• Understanding Your Visa Statement An interactive guide to where to find important information on your Provident Credit Union Visa statement, and what it all means.

Card Smarts

• Calculating Credit Card Interest Understand how interest is computed on credit cards, in order to avoid any unwanted surprises when your statement arrives.
• Consolidating Your Credit Cards If you make payments on several credit cards, you may want to consolidate your balances into one card. Learn why, and when it makes the most sense to do so.
• Wise Credit Card Use Test To find the right credit card for you, it helps to determine how you use credit. This article provides specific advice about choosing a card depending on which of three categories of credit use applies most to you.
• Credit Laws That Protect You learn about the consumer-protection laws that help with credit-related matters.
• Protecting Your Cards from Theft and Fraud Suggestions to help you protect your credit card and your ATM or Check Card accounts.
• Tips for Shopping by Phone, Mail, or Online Special considerations to think about, in order to protect yourself and help ensure a positive experience while using your Visa to shop remotely.
• Glossary of Visa Terms Definitions of common terms used in association with credit cards, Visas, and related issues.

Managing Debt

• Rebuilding Credit, Managing Debt There are times when financial challenges arise. Provident Credit Union's number one goal is to help ensure our members' financial health.
• How to Build Good Credit Tips on dealing with your credit cards in ways that help you to improve or maintain your ability to have good credit in the future.
• 3 Steps to a Balanced Budget Establishing a budget is the basis of having a good grip on your finances. This easy three-step program can help you create a budget that's unique to your needs.
• Staying Out of Credit Trouble Staying in control of your credit is the key to a healthy financial future. Follow these important tips to maintain a good credit history.

Credit Reports

• Your Credit History A credit history is a detailed record of your credit activity. Learn more about your credit history and how to keep it clean.
• Reading a Credit Report Learn about the four major areas of content in your credit report and what is and is not in them, so you can make sense of the information when reading the report yourself.
• When to Get a Credit Report Read our advice on when you should request a copy of your credit report.
• Avoiding Over-Inquiries of Your Credit Report Learn how too many of certain types of inquiries of your credit report can actually decrease your credit score. Understand the difference between such "hard inquiries" and the more harmless "soft inquiries" used for marketing.
• How to Fix Errors in your Credit Report Errors in your credit report include mistakes but they also include omissions. Under the law, credit bureaus are required to investigate your claim, usually within 30 days. Learn what you need to do to request an investigation of an error or omission in your report.

Other Sites

• CURewards You cam earn reward points towards travel and merchandise with every purchase.
• Verified by Visa This service protects your existing Visa card with a password you create, giving you assurance that only you can use your Visa card online (with participating merchants).
• Visa Rewards Internet merchant discount program. Save money when using your Provident Credit Union Visa with selected merchants.