Card Users Put Off Paying Santa For Several Months
Almost half of consumers who used credit cards for Christmas purchases will delay paying the bill for two or more months, American Express Co. said.
According to the American Express Retail Index, 46 percent of consumers plan to pay off their credit card balances from holiday purchases over two or more months, while 52 percent plan to pay their bills when they arrive.
The New York credit card and travel services company said its survey was based on comments made by 800 U.S. consumers in October.
Of the 800 surveyed, 67 percent said they would use major credit cards or charge cards for holiday purchases.
Of those, 28 percent said the primary reason for using plastic was the ability to spread payments out, or at least delay payments until the bills arrive.
Money Control class offered
Consumer Credit Counseling of Spokane starts a four-part series, “Money Control,” Wednesday in its offices at N1912 Division.
The sessions, which will continue on subsequent Wednesdays, begin at 6 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $18 for CCS clients, $25 for others. Call 327-3777 or 1-800-892-6854 to register.
Just buy great companies
The best way to build a stock portfolio is also the easiest: Find great companies and let share prices take care of themselves over the next decade.
A good place to start is Page 71 of the Jan. 1 issue of Forbes: “The short list of 1995’s best performers.”
Here’s the magazine’s picks: American International Group, AT&T, Cap Cities/ABC, Compaq Computer, General Electric, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Charles Schwab & Co., Turner Broadcasting and Wells Fargo.
Pension rights explained
How do pension plans work? When can you expect to start receiving your benefits? And what happens to your pension plan if your company collapses?
You can find answers to these and other questions in the government booklet, “What You Should Know About Your Pension Rights.”
The 48-page booklet also shows how pension plans can provide benefits to your spouse after you die.
For your free copy, send a letter or postcard to: U.S. Department of Labor, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, One Bowdoin Square, Seventh Floor, Boston, MA 02114.
Include your name and address, and ask for the booklet by name.
, DataTimes