Financing with Business Credit Cards

You've heard the saying, "You've got to spend money to make money!" This couldn't be more true, especially in business. If you want to grow your business, you're going to need a source of funds and access to cash flow - particularly when things are moving slowly.

At one time, owners of businesses had to get business credit against the things that they owned personally and based on their personal credit score. This is a major liability because if your business doesn't make it, you could lose your personal assets, too! Thankfully, there are now ways to obtain business credit that is not just an extension of what you owe personally.

If you set the business up as an official entity- separate from yourself, you can apply for various business funding, including loans or credit cards. When a business is just starting out, it hasn't had the opportunity to establish it's own credit rating yet and so lenders will have to use your personal credit report to determine the level of risk in lending to a business you own. What happens if your personal credit score is not-so-good?

You can take some steps to increase your chances of getting a business credit card (or some other form of business funding) by doing the following:

* Take steps to increase your personal score. Before you go any further looking for business credit cards or other sources of funding, do you know what your score is? Is your credit score below 640? If it is, it is recommended that you attempt to increase the score first. Often, making all of your payments on time for 3 consecutive months will pull your score up 2 to 4 points. Check with a financial advisor for some ways of increasing your credit score as it will only serve to help you personally as well as in business.
* Create an LLC or Corporation. This type of business structure automatically means the business is separate, and not just an extension of you. If you are operating a business under your name, and have not filed any official paperwork with the government or with lawyers and accountants- your business finances are no different than your personal finances.
* Have a physical address. Believe it or not, using a PO Box can hinder your ability to get a business credit card or loan! If you operate out of your home, you might consider getting a business mailbox from Mailboxes Etc, or UPS, as both offer a physical mailing address rather than a PO Box. Having a business phone line also will increase the way the business is looked at by lenders, and ensures the business is reachable.

If you are still unable to obtain business credit cards or financing on your first try, perhaps you know someone with a strong credit rating who would be willing to co-sign an application for you. You may not be able to have a business application for credit co-signed, but you can as an individual. Get a credit card in your name and then use it only for the business. Be sure to make the payments on time, and keep the balance manageable. Over time, you'll build up your personal credit score, which is seen as a boost for the business validity- and eventually you'll be able to obtain funding and credit cards under the business name.

Getting business credit cards and financing is a necessity that all businesses will face from time to time. There is a need for cash flow in order to grow and increase the business. With some careful planning and preparation, most businesses will be approved for a business credit card even if the owner has personal credit that is slightly less-than-perfect.

Pet Credit Card Rewards

Credit cards offering rewards programs for pet related expenses are a great way to save money in the present economy. With the price of gas continuing to rise, consumers can ease some of their recurring monthly expenses by joining a credit card rewards program. Pet rewards credit cards are increasing in popularity. A credit card like the Bank of America Pet Rewards Visa, for example, offers a 500 point bonus after your first purchase and participants can redeem points for rewards with a point balance as small as 750 points. Points are redeemable for a variety of pet expenses, including pet food discounts and coupons, veterinary expenses, pet store vouchers and other discounts at regional and national pet stores. Points can also be applied as shelter donations throughout the country. In a declining economy, helpless pets are often the first to suffer, so local shelters can use as much assistance as possible.

On www.collegecreditbuilder.com/petcards.htm , you can click and apply to a pet rewards credit card. You can even upload a picture of your beloved dog, cat or other pet and see their cute little face pictured on the face of the credit card.

Your dog, you cat and any other pet is a very important part of your family. They give some much and ask for so little in return. Now, they can do something to help the family save money. Pet rewards credit cards are increasing in popularity. Immediate rewards are a plus since so many other credit card rewards programs require years of spending before any real benefits can be redeemed.

Credit Cards help in Simplifying your Bookkeeping Duties

Yes, its true that if you have a credit card for your business, it can be a great help in your bookkeeping duties. A business credit card can not only help you separate your business and personal expenses, but it can assist you to effectively manage your finances at the same time. Most of the credit card companies that offer business credit cards also offer reports of your account. You may receive these reports monthly, quarterly or annually. In certain cases, it is generated automatically for you and sometimes you have to request the reports.

You may receive any type of report but one useful thing about business credit cards is that they can be of great help when it comes time to tend to your bookkeeping duties. The good thing about these reports is that at the time of their creation in many cases they are categorized. For example, if you are holding multiple additional cards for your employees or partners, each card number will have its own section.

This is not only a best solution to keep a check on where your expenses are going and whom they are going to, but also to determine if there is any abuse with the cards. Another benefit of these reports is that they can also be categorized by expense type.

So it means that when your reports reach you, they will have sections regarding expense categories. This could include categories such as gas and fuel, office supplies, travel expenses, food and hotel expenses or miscellaneous expenses and many more. This is an excellent data for your bookkeeping records. It allows you to simply look at your reports and place the appropriate amounts in the appropriate categories.

Credit card companies offer such reports usually in paper and digital form. The digital form of the reports can actually save you a great deal of time as well. So, if you download the report in the proper format, you can transfer it directly into your financial or accounting software program and in most cases it will read the file and put the items where they need, without much help from your side.

Using a business credit card is very beneficial for your business. Not only can you simplify your bookkeeping tasks, but you can save time, and money as well. If you are aware about where all of your business money is going, you can better plan and budget for everything. It is a good way to keep track of expenses easily and efficiently, ensuring that your business is operating at full efficiency and productivity at all time.

Little Known Rewards You Can Get From Business Credit Cards

Many small business owners might feel the need to shy away from credit cards, to avoid the temptation to overspend or because they prefer to pay for everything in cash. What business owners may not be aware of, however, are the often-overlooked “extras” that come with business credit card rewards programs.

Think about the typical credit card rewards program- it may offer one point per dollar spend on the card, and be rewarded in the form of cash back or points redeemable for merchandise or travel. While these can be beneficial when used correctly, credit cards can offer a whole range of additional benefits to the business owner.

Get a Mini-billboard! Some credit cards are customizable, and literally let you put your business name and/or logo directly on the card. Every time you take your credit card out to make a purchase, you are placing your company in front of prospective customers.

Client gift possibilities just by re-gifting the rewards you earn. Whenever your credit card rewards program offers you gift certificates as rewards, you can use these as a wonderful client gifts. Enclose them in a nice card and mail to a deserving client.

Reduce the amount of money you owe. For any credit card that offers cash back rewards; look for one that offers the rewards in the form of a credit posted to your credit card account. This actually reduces the amount you have to pay for your purchases; and a 5% cash back rewards card is the same as shopping a 5% off sale!

Manage your employee spending. If you have employees that must make purchases on behalf of your business, you can select a business credit card that offers free employee credit cards on your account, with customizable limits. This means you can limit the amount of purchases people are allowed to make, and you don’t have to keep as close an eye on it. Most business credit cards offer quarterly statements, with purchases divided by each individual credit card on the account- making it easy to see who’s buying what and how much it’s costing you!

Travel benefits. For anyone who travels, no matter how infrequently, you should never discount the travel benefits that come with credit cards. From travel accident insurance coverage to lost baggage coverage, these benefits can save you hundreds of dollars if you ever need to use them; and don’t cost you anything to have them when they’re included with your business credit card.

Personal assistant. Some credit cards even come with a concierge service, which is similar to having a personal assistant at your disposal, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the phone number on your card and you can have someone help you with directions, make last minute reservations at a local restaurant, get your travel arrangements scheduled, or send your wife flowers- all while driving to your next appointment.

As a small business owner, using business credit cards can offer you a wide range of benefits that are not as well known to the majority of people. Before you rule out a credit card you should look into the “extras” and see whether or not they’ll benefit you and your business.

7 Reasons Your Small Business Needs A Credit Card

With more than 600,000 new small businesses started each year, it's safe to say that the dream of being a successful business owner is a strong one. If you are considering starting your own business, or are already the proud owner of a business- here are 7 reasons why your small business needs a credit card:

1. Keep your personal finances and business finances separate. It's easier than you think to accidentally mix up your funds. Using a credit card that is used only for your business expenses and purchases eliminates the problem of labeling every transaction in your personal checkbook or on your personal credit card statements at the end of the month.

2. Build credit in the name of your business. If you obtain a credit card in your business name, the more you use it and make on-time payments, the stronger you will build the credit score of your business. After several months of building a good credit history, you may be able to obtain small business loans or other sources of financing if necessary.

3. Get stuff for free. There are numerous rewards programs with credit cards. If you choose one that works for your business, you can easily earn the things you usually buy for free. For example, some rewards credit cards offer you a way to earn office supplies at a discount. The key to making a rewards program successful is to choose one with no annual fee and pay your balance off in full each month. If you travel regularly for business, it would make sense that you get a card with travel rewards- either earn miles towards free flights, or get free or discounted hotel rooms.

4. Easy record keeping. Owning a small business means you are allowed to deduct certain purchases on your taxes, but only if you have good records to prove you've made those payments. A credit card with an annual, itemized statement will make tax season a snap, regardless of the number of transactions you've made on your card.

5. Additional credit cards for employees. As your business grows, you may find the need to allow key employees within the organization the ability to make purchases or pay for business expenses on your behalf. Most credit card companies will allow you to obtain additional cards in other people's names. Your transaction listings and statements will show which credit card made each purchase, allowing you to see at a glance whether the employee use of credit is being abused or not.

6. Concierge services. Depending on the credit card you choose, you may benefit from additional services like reservation assistance, verification of flights, and even a personal shopping service. Did you forget to get your wife flowers for your anniversary? A quick call to your credit card concierge service and they can make the arrangements for you.

7. Travel benefits. In addition to the potential to save money on travel costs with a credit card rewards program, most credit cards offer travel accident insurance that helps cover you for things like lost luggage or flight cancellations.

Easing the Burden of Interchange Fees

Running a small business comes with a host of unique challenges. Should it really be that difficult to accept credit card payments from customers? Sadly, for many business owners, the fight over rising interchange fees - the fees that credit card processors charge for each credit card transaction a business makes - is getting tougher. What was a $16 billion industry just seven years ago has turned into a $48 billion racket in 2008. Small business owners are watching their profits dwindle as more and more of their money is spent on interchange fees.

How bad is the problem? Soon, you might find it impossible to fill up your gas tank if you pay with a credit card. Gas station operators are losing money because they must pay an interchange fee on every gallon of gas their customers charge. As the fees increase, profits go down the drain. And with the rising cost of gas, some store owners just can't afford to pay the interchange fees. In some cases, the fees cost more each month than gas purchases bring in.

Small business owners are caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, they cannot completely refuse to take credit card payments if they want to stay competitive. On the other hand, they feel as though they have no power to negotiate the fees. Luckily, Congress has heard about this plight and has decided to step in. There is proposed legislation that will permit the investigation of hidden fees that businesses report as being unfair. While some balk at the idea of the government getting involved, others hope that new rules will ease the pressure on small businesses.

If you own your own business and feel the pinch of high interchange fees, there are some steps you can take. First, look for merchant account providers that offer “Interchange Plus”. This is a straightforward pricing scale that used to be available only to big businesses. Now smaller businesses can take advantage of this simple alternative to the complicated, tier-based pricing structures currently in place. Some businesses save tens of thousands of dollars each year just by participating in an Interest Plus plan.

Another thing you should do is watch out for hidden fees. Avoid contracts that make you pay an interchange fee for declined transactions. Instead, look for a contract that doesn’t require you to pay for unauthorized charges. And ask plenty of detailed questions before you sign that dotted line.

Finally, look for merchant account providers that offer great customer service. When something goes wrong, you want to know that you can call the company and get it straightened out in a timely manner. This might mean ignoring the companies that offer rock-bottom rates. Remember that with customer service, you usually get what you pay for.

Orioles Credit Card: Fans are Cheering

Baltimore Orioles fans are cheering over the new Major League Baseball™ Extra Bases™ Credit Card from Bank of America. (http://www.oriolescreditcard.com/). The official Orioles logo can be featuredon the face of the card. This rewards credit card has proven to be a great hit with Orioles fans and consumers alike in the rewards credit card industry. Like many airlines, megastores and universities have done for decades, rewards credit cards featuring baseball teams like the Baltimore Orioles are rapidly growing in popularity and proving to be a real hit with baseball fans from city to city.


The Major League Baseball™ Extra Bases™ Credit Card from Bank of America offers no annual fee and a 0% intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on balance transfers and cash advance checks during the first 12 months. Other incentives include exciting offers like an official MLB™ licensed jersey for the team of your choice after the first qualifying transaction using the card. In addition to the no annual fee and 0% introductory APR, card holders can quickly earns points (at a rate of 1 point for every net retail dollar spent) that can be redeemed for MLB™ autographed memorabilia, exclusive experiences with the Baltimore Orioles, travel rewards and cash bonuses.

Major League Baseball team logo credit cards are cornering the market -- every official team logo can be represented on the face of a Major League Baseball™ Extra Bases™ Credit Card from Bank of America. Another website offering the card is www.collegecreditbuilder.com/mlbcards.htm. Card holders feel good about showing their team spirit every time they open their wallets.

Major League Baseball Credit Cards are a Hit!

Major League Baseball, through issuer Bank of America, has cast its giant footprint on the credit card industry. Like many schools, airlines, and retail stores have done for decades, baseball teams are now being featured on consumer credit cards. These credit cards, picturing the major league baseball team of choice on their face, are rapidly growing in popularity and proving to be a hit with baseball fans across the country.

The Major League Baseball™ Extra Bases™ Credit Card from Bank of America boasts no annual fee and a 0% introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on balance transfers and cash advance checks for the first 12 billing cycles. As incentives to gain customer share in the extraordinarily competitive credit card market, the baseball credit card also offers an official MLB™ licensed jersey after the first qualifying transaction using the card. In addition to the no annual fee and 0% introductory APR, the card offers a point based incentive system whereby card holders earn 1 point for every net retail dollar spent redeemable for MLB™ autographed memorabilia, coveted MLB™ life experiences, travel and cash rewards.

A review of the internet landscape makes clear that every major league baseball team can be represented on a credit card. For example, www.mlbcreditcardoffers.com highlights the card, its features and allows consumers to apply. Other websites like www.metscreditcard.com and numerous others in which you simple insert the [team name] followed by creditcard.com, like www.redsoxcreditcard.com for example, offer the same Major League Baseball™ Extra Bases™ Credit online application.

Historically, baseball has given the public something to believe in and something to hope for, particularly in tough economic times. With this credit card, consumers can be reminded of their favorite team every time they open their wallets.

All credit cards offer many benefits and features. Some come with a few disadvantages. To convey my point I will leave the disadvantages for others to write about. All credit cards are good in their own way for their own purpose and for that specific applicant. There are many credit cards for applicants with good credit, bad credit or with no credit at all. There are the so called "bad credit cards" and the "good credit cards." Bad credit cards fit consumers looking to build "good credit." Good credit cards fit consumers with good credit looking to take advantage of benefits that suit their daily lives. So are all credit cards good? Yes, because in some cases you have to start somewhere and sometimes, it comes at a price.

Consumers with good credit attract the credit cards that would better suit their income, credit history, spending habits and paying habits. Many credit cards that approach consumers with good credit tend to offer great transfer rates and lower interest rates on future purchases as long as the consumer's credit doesn't change in the wrong direction. Everyone has their individual needs and perceptions of their credit. So the only challenging factor for someone with good credit is to maintain the good credit status and keep a close eye on your credit limit to credit debt ratio. In my opinion, your ratio should be at around 25% to 40% because it is a responsible level to be proactive in managing your credit cards. A 25% credit limit to credit debt ratio would be $250.00 balance on a $1,000.00 credit limit. Investing in a credit monitoring service also helps to keep a third eye on your credit so you can focus on your busy life.

Consumers with bad credit attract the credit cards that seem to be outrageous because of interest rate, credit line or terms of the agreement such as annual fees and processing fees. In my opinion, their is no such thing as a bad credit card as long as they report the account to Experian, Transunion and Equifax (CSC Credit Service). Instead of them being called bad credit cards they should be called credit building cards. If you cannot get over yourself by accepting a credit building card, maybe a secured credit card from your bank would be the best choice as long as they report to the credit bureau. Never think bad credit is forever or that it can't ever improve, it can with responsible steps. If you get a so called bad credit card then make sure you fulfill your end of the agreement, and don't make excuses for not paying on time or letting it charge off because it was only $300.00. I think one factor that makes that type of card good is that the credit lines are usually no more than $500.00. That low of a credit line is a good thing because worst case scenario your minimum payment is between $15.00 - $25.00. Not bad for establishing a credit line that will be worth dividends in the long run. Yes, it will benefit you as time is established behind the credit card. Credit building cards are only short term because once you have began to establish yourself with 2 - 3 credit building cards your score will reflect the responsible habits and your score will begin to rise. So are bad credit cards good, of course they are.

Whether you have good or bad credit cards the responsibility is the same. Make your payments on time and watch your credit limit to credit debt ratio. These two simple steps, if followed consistently, will keep your credit cards as the good benchmark for your credit score to be based from. I have only referenced your credit cards that allow minimum payments and not any other types of credit cards or other credit lines on your credit report. I have also not referenced the impact of derogatory items on your credit report that would affect the establishing of your credit. All cards have benefits and features that are advantageous to consumers or contain hidden value, even if the card does not seem very desirable. When you decide to get any credit card base it on your own financial need and on the advantages that will benefit you and your credit profile. Credit is life and life is credit, understand it wisely.