JPMorgan Chase wants to tap into the new frugality with a set of tools designed to help consumers pay down debt the smart way. The Blueprint feature, available on four Chase cards, includes four tools:
Full Pay lets you specify which of 13 spending categories, including groceries, gas, dining and entertainment, you want to pay in full each month (you can cap the total amount). Chase separates those purchases from the rest of your spending, and you pay no interest on them even though you carry a balance. If you were to charge $1,000 each month for a year and designate $500 each month to Full Pay, you'd save $408, according to Chase.
Track It lets you view your expenditures in 25 categories online. You can also see how your spending measures up against the amounts that you budgeted for certain categories. It's a nice, albeit basic, feature; Discover and Wells Fargo cards offer similar tools.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Split shows you how much it will cost to pay off a large purchase when you specify a number of months or a monthly payment.
Finish It computes the monthly payment (including interest) you'll need to make to pay off your entire balance within a given time period, excluding any new purchases.
Blueprint is not a comprehensive program -- we prefer online sites, such as Mint.com, for managing your budget. But it can help you figure out where your cash is going, particularly if you use only one credit card. And anytime a tool can shave dollars off your interest payments, it's worth a look.
-
Mom needs a nursing home. Should I spend down her assets so she qualifies for Medicaid?We asked expert financial advisers for their advice.
-
Financial Fact vs Fiction: Why Your 'Magic Number' Isn't Actually MagicalDo you think you're diversified if you're invested in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq? Do you think your tax rate will fall in retirement? Think again — and read on for other myths that could be leading you astray.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
What Does Medicare Not Cover? Eight Things You Should KnowHealthy Living on a Budget Medicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Apple, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime Amazon Prime Day is four days this year. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals to shop during the sale.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
