Ethical Finance: Who Benefits From Our Spending?
|
On one hand consumers are being universally criticised for running up significant amounts of debt on credit cards, yet conversely many companies are capitalising on the growing credit card debt, from charities and political organisations to football clubs, the Association of Surgeons and somewhat ironically ActionAid, an international development agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide.
Financial comparison site moneynet.co.uk provided 226 credit cards in a general credit card search, from which the consumer could choose a product to suit their lifestyle, as well as their wallet. Credit cards with charity branding involve many major organisations including Amnesty International, Christian Aid, WaterAid, RSPB, Save The Children, the Ramblers Association, Oxfam, Greenpeace, the Vegetarian Society, RSPCA, ActionAid, Children In Crisis, Help The Aged, Tearfund and the Terence Higgins Trust.
Perhaps it is fair to say that if people are going to spend on plastic, they should be helping charitable organisations on the way and should they feel inclined to contribute to a political institution, donating a small % of each transaction is a convenient method. If most consumers were ethical spenders, then associations between transactions and third party beneficiaries would inherit this quality, but as debt spirals out of control, is it responsible or ethical that someone should benefit at the cost of someone else?
Although it is standard for most card providers to offer an introductory free period, the consumer may be hit by a more substantial annual percentage rate (APR) later on the year, with some providers, such as ASDA charging a massive APR of 28.8%. Even ActionAid charges an APR of 17.9%, rescuing the developing world at the expense of the developed.
For further information about credit cards and details on specific providers:
http://www.moneynet.co.uk/
http://www.eiris.org/
http://www.creditaction.org.uk/
http://www.moneybasics.co.uk/mb/site/Home.html
Rachel writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla:http://cashzilla.blogspot.com/
Rachel drinks Guinness and has the Best Hits of 1987 in her music collection.
Cashzilla is an Aries. He has a flamboyant character and a tongue that could heat up any conversation. If Cashzilla was an A-Team character, he'd be Murdock.
|
|
|
Credit Repair: How To Deal With Your Creditors
If you are in danger of credit problems because you have more debts than you can handle, there are things you can do at least keep your creditors reasonably happy.First, prioritize your debts or rank them in terms of the...(related: Credit)
Some Truth About Credit
Credit is currently and has been historically an integral component of our economy. Credit contribute a person's net worth, and financial power. No matter who you are or what type of business you are considering, credit is a vital component to be considered when developing your business idea and business plan.Your credit history and status will always be a factor when lenders consider financing your entrepreneurial endeavor. No matter what type of loan, even loans for those who may struggle to acquire traditional financing, such as the SBA funded micro loan, will consider credit as one of the underwriting factors.Because your credit history and status greatly impact your bankability and ability to acquire business funding, it behooves you to spend a significant amount of time developing and creating positive credit status an...(related: Credit)
Useful Tips When Choosing Credit Cards
Chances are you have received your share of "pre-approved" credit card offers in the mail, some with low introductory rates and other perks. Many of these solicitations urge you to accept "before the offer expires." Before you accept, shop around to get the best deal.Credit Card Terms:A credit card is a form of borrowing that oft...(related: Credit)
Credit Card Dirty Tricks
There are many of us that have been badly stung by credit card companies that have charged exorbitant fees to use their credit cards. Several...(related: Credit)
How To Deal With Hire Purchase Debt
WHAT IS HIRE PURCHASE/CONDITIONAL SALE?Although people often talk about "buying on HP", Hire Purchase Agreements are quite unusual these days. Cars are the most u...(related: Credit)
Credit Establishment 101
There will come a day when you need credit. You may want to buy a home or a car and your credit rating will become very important to help make ...(related: Credit)
The Top 5 Secrets To Managing Your Credit Cards?so They Won?t Manage You
You've probably never heard of Frank X. McNamara, but he revolutionized the way you shop on a daily basis.One evening in 1949, McNamara-head of the Hamilton Credit Corporation in New York City-was dining out with two business associates. Their topic of discussion: one of McNamara's clients, who was defaulting on a loan because he had shared his gasoline and department-store credit cards with some friends in need. Unfortunately, the friends didn't have the money to pay back what they had borrowed, so ...(related: Credit)
5 Steps You Can Take To Get Paid!
There are always some companies that have past due invoices and can't seem to get them paid. They might be quietly waiting to get paid not wanting to contact the client for fear of appearing "desperate". Sometimes a big part of the problem is no response, it is bad enough when you are not getting paid, but when orders keep coming in and you are not getting any acknowledgement to your collection efforts, you just can't keep processing orders.There are steps you can take to get paid on those past due invoices and keep new invoices current.Step #1 Gather together all the past due invoices, and stamp them PAST DUE.Step #2 If you have an email address or phone number with a contact name f...(related: Credit)
Compare Credit Card Offers And Reward Yourself
Here's a simple system on how to pay zero interest and get tons of free stuff. Almost everyone uses credit cards. But only a few thousand people out there take advantage of what the credit card industry is really offering.<...(related: Credit)
Beginners Guide To Credit
I remember back when I was 18 and completely oblivious to the concept of credit. It seems like eons ago! If only I had known t...(related: Credit)
Tips For Credit Card Surfers
Moving money from credit card to credit card to take advantage of interest free balance transfers and effectively borrowing money for free. It's even possible to make money by borrowing money, transferring the debt to an interest free card and investing the cash in a high interest savings account until the interest free period expires.However, if you plan on being a serial card surfer, there are a number of things you need to do.Firstly. Make sure you read the terms and conditions of the card to which you're transferring your balance and are aware of exactly what you're signing up for. Some cards, for example insist that you spend a certain amount per month on the card in order to qual...(related: Credit)
site-map - Copyright © 2007 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved | Free Articles and Information | Credit