Getting a credit card got tougher, Fed says

The Federal Reserve thinks getting approved for a new credit card recently got tougher. But since communicating in easy-to-understand language just isn't the central bank's style, the Fed didn't come out and say so in exactly those words.

Do warranty cards warrant your response? Not if you don't want junk mail

Some of you may still be tossing out boxes, cartons and the foam packaging that cushioned your cool, new holiday gifts: digital cameras, MP3 players or maybe the latest version of the Guitar Hero video game. If you're like me, you set aside the instruction manual and other papers and material packaged in with your cool gift to "read through it when I have time." My iPod -- now more than 1 ½ years old -- still has the documentation disk and papers inside the box. Was there a warranty card or production registration card? I didn't even notice. But I can tell you this much: I didn't fill it out. Privacy experts say if you're smart, you won't bother filling out your warranty cards this year either.

New year, new gift card roundup

As shoppers head to the stores to take advantage of post-holiday sales or return unwanted presents, gift cards continue to make news. The New York Post reports retailers have found a way to avoid turning over unused funds to those states that make an effort to claim the money from long neglected gift cards. (The Post estimates unused gift card balances amounted to $3.5 billion this holiday season.) Via separate gift card units -- known in the industry as "giftcos" -- established in states with more retailer-friendly abandoned property laws, certain chains are able to keep the money left on dormant store-issued gift cards.

New from Korea: credit card / USB combo

You knew this had to happen: A South Korean bank has issued a combo contactless credit card / USB device to make spending money faster and easier and more secure.

Parents, your teens don't know enough about money!

Alert, alert! According to a new Charles Schwab survey examining teens' attitudes, behaviors and concerns about money, only one in three believes their parents are concerned with making sure they are learning the basics of smart money management. Ninety-three percent of teens agree it's important to know how to live within your means and to have good money habits to be successful in life. Seventy-six percent define success as "to not have to rely on others for money." This generation knows it needs to be wise with money ... it just doesn't know how.

Retailers, states compete for gift card funds

In two New England states, there's a struggle under way over gift card funds. A Dec. 20th warning to consumers from New Hampshire's Attorney General shined a spotlight on retailers who are trying to bypass the state's gift card rules (Hat tip: All American Patriots). Since New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Act prohibits any fees that lower a gift card's value, as well as expiration dates on gift cards valued at $100 or less, certain issuers have attempted to get around the state's law by instead selling cards issued by national banks.

Not the type of hack you expect in a NY taxi

Anecdotal stories have New York City cab drivers using all kinds of excuses to discourage riders from paying with a credit card. But news reports of a rider apparently hacking the credit card reader display screen could do more to discourage plastic payments than any tall tale told by a cabbie.

Have a happy (and less interrupted by telemarketers) New Year

The New Year brings a new federal regulation that will help you opt out of at least some telemarketers come-ons. Many of you may have wondered why junk mail and phone solicitations seemed to increase shortly after you applied for a new credit card, opened a bank account or applied for a loan, mortgage or life insurance. Often, the solicitations were from companies you never heard of, never did business with, but somehow they had your contact information and tried persistently to convince you to part with your money.

Las Vegas flunks debt report card

Men's Health put together a list of cities in its November issue with the worst personal debt, "Is Your City A Debt Trap?" and gave grades from A+ to F. Las Vegas came in 100th of 100 cities analyzed, so got an F. Billings, Mont., was at the head of the class, earning an A+. The magazine crunched numbers using U.S. Census info and personal bankruptcy rates it got from the FDIC, and data from Experian on average credit scores, credit card debt and credit used versus available credit.

Give the gift (certificate) of warmth this year

Looking for a last-minute holiday gift for the guy or girl who has everything? How about a little heat? Our articles about how high winter heating bills will stretch family budgets in 2008 suggest many people may have to borrow money or use credit cards to pay utility bills. The Energy Information Administration estimates that some areas of the Northeast may pay as much as 30 percent more this winter to heat their homes.