What’s the Big Difference Between Credit Cards and Layaway?

When you buy something with a credit card, you can take it home with you that day.  You make payments, pay interest, and pay any fees as required by your credit card company.  With layaway, you don’t take the product home with you right away but instead have to wait until you paid it off completely.  Unlike credit cards, however, despite the fact that you might make payments over a long period of time, you won’t pay any interest.  This can save you a lot of money and allow you to spend cash that would’ve been spent on interest on other things you want.

Why Layaway?

Layaway is for people who have a hard time keeping onto their cash.  Big purchases like computers, laptops, appliances, furniture, etc. can be very expensive sometimes costing thousands of dollars.  Most people don’t have several thousand dollars lying around to buy something outright.  Through layaway, people can make interest free payments on whatever they want and can work a structured budget without worrying about saving the money and/or spending it before they should.

Which Companies Participate in Layaway?

Layaway payment plans used to be fairly popular years ago but died away with the popularity of credit cards.  However, there has a been a resurgence of layaway plans as people have been cutting up their credit cards and have been paying for things with hard cash.  Right now, Sears, Kmart, and participating Best Buy stores provide layaway plans which can be used for products at their brick-and-mortar stores.

Best Rewards Card for Cash Back

There are multiple credit cards that offer cash back rewards.  From the credit cards that I have seen the three best cash back credit cards are:

1. Discover More Card – 5% cash back on select categories that rotate, 5% to 20% cashback through Discover’s online shopping mall, 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases
2. Chase Freedom MasterCard – 5% cash back on select categories, 2% on airfare, 1% on everything else
3. Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card – 5% cash back on select, rotating categories, 5% back through over 400 retailers on their Citi Bonus Cash Center, 1% everything else

Rewards Card (MasterCard)

Capital One No Hassle Cash Rewards

• 2% cash back on purchases at gas stations and grocery stores
• 1% cash back on everything else
• No annual fee
• 0% APR for one year
• Rewards include cash back, entertainment, gas, and shopping

US Airways Premier World MasterCard

• Double miles on US Airways purchases
• 1 mile per $1 spent everywhere else
• First Class check-in and Zone 2 boarding
• One complimentary US Airways Club day pass annually
• Two $99 companion tickets annually
• No annual mileage cap
• $89 annual fee
• Air travel rewards

Chase Sapphire

• Earn 1 point for each dollar spent
• Earn 2 points for each dollar spent on airfare spent through Chase’s online booking tool
• Use points to apply to purchases made with the card (redemption starts at 2,000 points for $20 statement credit)
• Unlimited rewards with no expiration
• No annual fee
• Rewards include cash back, entertainment, gas, and shopping

GM Card from HSBC

• Earn 5% on purchases to be used towards a purchase of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles
• The card for people who love buying new cars
• No annual fee
• Earnings expire after 7 years

Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card

• 2% on purchases for 6 months, 1% after that
• 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter (like department stores, clothing, and electronics)
• 5% additional cash back at over 400 retailers through the Citi Bonus Cash Center
• No annual fee

Chase Freedom MasterCard

• Earn 1% cash back on all purchases
• Earn 5% from bonus shopping categories that rotate each quarter
• Earn 2% from airfare purchases made through their booking tool
• No annual fee

AT&T Rewards MasterCard Credit Card

• Earn rewards and savings exclusive for AT&T customers
• Earn 1 point for $1 spent on non-AT&T purchases
• Points capped at 50,000 points per year
• Save up to 10% on AT&T purchases and service for the first year, and 5% after that

Sears and Kmart Rewards MasterCard

• Exclusive savings and coupons for card holders
• Special Sears financing offers
• Earn points for every $1 spent
• Special bonus points events

Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card

The credit card that I personally have, the Amazon.com rewards credit card earns points for purchases made on Amazon.com, as well as gas stations, restaurants, and everywhere else.

• 3 points per $1 spent at Amazon.com
• 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants, drug stores, and office supply stores
• 1 point for every other $1 spent
• No maximum number of points you can earn
• No annual fee

Best Buy Reward Zone MasterCard

Love electronics?  The Best Buy rewards credit card may be the credit card you’re looking for.  With the credit card, you’re automatically enrolled in the Reward Zone program which gives you exclusive deals, savings, and rewards.  You earn 1 point for each $1 spent on dining and grocery, 2 points per dollar spent at Best Buy, and 1 point per every $2 spent everywhere else MasterCard credit cards are accepted.  With the card you earn reward certificates you can use towards music, movies, and electronics at Best Buy.

Penfed Visa Platinum Cashback Rewards Card

• 5% cash back on gas purchases
• 1% from all other purchases
• No annual fee

The best laptop for any person will be dependent on what the computer will be used for. First, making a list of all the normal activities will be helpful. Gaming, word processing, web browsing, digital downloads are all possibilities. Will it be used for business, personal reasons, or both? Is there a preference for a Mac or PC? What type of software would be needed? What about screen size? Is there a preference for a small and light weight model that would be highly transportable? This type of laptop would then also have less power and a smaller keyboard and screen. Heavier laptops, with larger screens will have more power, yet they can be harder to travel with. There are many variables one should take into account before starting an online search or walking into their local computer dealer.

Toshiba Satellite L655-S5156 15.6-Inch LED Laptop (Grey) $579.99 $529.99

For an affordable laptop, this Toshiba Satellite is a great choice.  It has a decent processor, 4 GB of RAM, and a 320 GB hard drive.  Overall its a great laptop for someone looking for a laptop to use at home or for school.  It can play videos, surf the internet, and do basic tasks like word processing and spreadsheets.

Acer Aspire TimelineX AS3820T-6480 13.3-Inch HD Laptop (Black Brushed Aluminum) $649.99 0

For a portable, affordable laptop, this Acer TimelineX laptop is designed for people on-the-go and can function for 8 hours without having to be plugged-in.  This laptop is ideal for students or business-people.

Where to Find Affordable Laptop Computers

After one has a good idea of what they want and expect in a computer, they can then begin searching and exploring different brands and also start comparing prices to see what would fit into their budget. This can become overwhelming as almost any place, from Wal-mart to Ebay will have affordable laptops. Wal-mart electronic staff or Ebay sellers may not be able to answer all of your questions and this is when major frustration can occur.

A good place to start, then, could be a local computer store that deals in servicing and selling refurbished computers. While a computer at a place like this would not be new, the staff and personnel usually are extremely knowledgeable and will be able to answer questions that range from simple to complex. Computer Renaissance (1-888-Compren) is a national chain dealing in refurbished PC computers, while authorized Apple service providers, such as the Mac Shack, service, buy and sell refurbished Macs.

Once one has many of their questions asked and has narrowed down to the make and model of laptop computer they want and need, they can begin their actual search. These places could be a great way to find affordable laptop computers:

1. Ebay: There are many authorized sellers with good feedback that give really good deals on laptops. The most important thing is to check out not just the item specifics, but the seller’s history, feedback, warranties and return policy.

2. Craigslist: Although starting to get a bad rep, local Craigslists can be a great way to find an affordable laptop. Often people are selling because they need the money and will often negotiate down to a lower price. The buyer just needs to keep in mind that unless there is already a warranty on the model, then it will be something they cannot return if the computer malfunctions.

3. Best Buy and Circuit City: These can be good places to find cheaper laptops because they will always beat the competition by 10 percent off the advertised price. Watching ads and comparing prices may take time, but can be worth it to get a good deal.

4. Wal-mart, Sam’s Club, Target: Again, these places may carry cheap laptops, but may not have the best quality. If the laptop is just going to be used for Web browsing and word processing, then these places may provide an affordable option, and they should also beat the competitor’s advertised price as well.

5. Online Search: When the buyer knows exactly what they want, just a simple online search of the make, model, and specs can provide many options for buying. The buyer should be ready to ask questions and expect professional customer service and answers to such questions on price, shipping, warranty, and returns.

Finding and buying the best affordable laptops is a process that can take some time, but is worth it in the end. After the actual purchase, a buyer should have a computer that meets all their needs at a price they can afford.

For many consumers one of the first things that you might want to do is apply for the Best Buy consumer credit card.  There is no cost to apply and you can even do it right online.  It is very quick process and you will get an answer on your application within moments of applying.  You can even apply while you are at the store and can begin your shopping as soon as you are approved.  The card is issued through HSBC Bank and there is no annual fee. You can use the card both at the store and through their Internet site.

As a new customer, you can even qualify for no interest for the first six months on any purchase that totals more than $299.  This is only available for in-store purchases.  You may even choose to select the option of the reduced interest rate of 11.9% to 48 months on your purchases totaling more than $299.  There also be no interest charged for the first 30 days on any purchases that you will make.

Keeping track of your account is very easy using the Best Buy financing option.  You will be able to register online and be able to pay your bill.  You will also be able to see the activity with your account and be able to check your balance and available credit.  This makes it very easy to update any information that may be changing or has changed regarding your account.  The website is secure or so you will not have to worry about your information not being safe.

Another Best Buy financing option is to apply for the reward zone program, MasterCard.  This card can be used anywhere outside of the store as well as at any Best Buy store or online.  You will be able to earn rewards points, which can be used anywhere that you shop.  This MasterCard also has the same abilities as the other in-store Best Buy credit card.  You also be able to apply correctly on the Internet as well as keep track of your account through its secured website.  Best Buy financing is easy to apply for and you may even be able to save some money or earn rewards for spending your money.