Spare Change

Money tip

If you’re like most consumers, your mailbox is swimming with credit card offers.

The reason for all the offers: Interest charges, late-payment penalties and other fees can add up to big profits for credit card companies, especially if you carry a big balance.

With so many credit cards to pick from, the choices can be overwhelming. But relax; experts say most people generally don’t need more than one credit card.

Wise planning

Whatever the mishap, it’s easy to lose your cell phone — and along with it, contact info, ringtones and games. And replacement can be costly.

Ringtone and game peddler Oasys is bucking the trend by allowing customers to download applications they’ve purchased again and again from an online “virtual locker.” Customers can store contact information, photos and other data in their online account and download it to a new phone as many times as they want as long as they keep the same number.

Wireless carriers including Cingular, Sprint and Verizon offer backup services to their subscribers for a few dollars a month.

Survey Says

Americans are deeply worried about debt, says a survey released by the Center for American Progress. About half of those polled say they’re not able to pay off their credit card bills every month. A third say they carry more than $10,000 in debt, not including their mortgages, and 20 percent have more than $20,000 in debt.

Tax Planning

In general, you can take tax deductions for improvements you made - new carpeting, painting, etc. - in order to sell your home. As usual with tax rules, it depends on the circumstance. You can get a better idea of what the U.S. Internal Revenue Service allows by reading its Publication 523, “Selling Your Home.”