Exploration of Struggles with Credit Cards in Maxed Out by Scurlock and Why Won’t Anyone give Me a Credit Card by O’Donnell

When using credit cards, practicing self-discipline and common sense will allow an individual to use the cards as an advantage (Lynott, 2008). Advantageous tips are to limit the number of credit cards to two for personal use and two for business, charge only what you can pay off at the end of the month because that is interest-free, carry cash to pay for small purchases because they add up quickly on a credit card, become knowledgeable about the interest and additional fees and penalties, and focus on items that are needed and not just wanted (Lynott, 2008).

Maxed out is a documentary written and directed by James Scurlock investigating debt in America and shows how the credit and lending issues are affecting society. This documentary shows how banks, credit card companies and other creditors intentionally market to people who are more likely to have problems paying their debts such as full time college students, previous bankruptcy filers and people with visual behavior weaknesses. However, the poor and uneducated are not the only ones effected by debt traps. In today’s society almost everything it purchased on credit from every day households to the government. The average household debt has been steadily rising for decades, millions of people in America have simply accustomed themselves to

The United States lending industry’s main focus has become accentuating profits; therefore, they have made it impossible to live without a credit card in today’s economy and to avoid being taken advantage of by the banks. James Scurlock, director and producer of the film, “Maxed Out”, devotes his movie to informing the audience of the credit card system and its many flaws and gives examples of people who are majorly affected by the pressure the lenders apply. Throughout the movie, numerous statistics, and expert testimonies are presented, as well as comparisons and appeals to emotion. Through the use of this support Scurlock, is able to convey his overall message and propose numerous minor arguments that clarify

Richard Fairbank and Nigel Morris, both diligent entrepreneurs, started laying the bricks for their eventual successful company, Capital One, in the late 1980’s. They both worked in the Virginia-based “Signet Bank”. Fairbank started noticing trends in the financial industry that he felt Signet was missing out on. These opportunities were in the credit card industry. He, as well as all of Signet Bank knew that the credit card industry was very risky, but Fairbank was ready to take a chance in this, what can be, highly profitable field.

The main argument throughout this documentary is that credit cards are the main cause of the debt crisis, which occurred in 2006 in America. Credit cards are portrayed throughout this documentary to carry negative consequences, aiding in the corruption of the system, and ultimately creating debt problems that America faces as a nation. The main question we are left with is, can we as a nation live without credit cards?

Not only for those seeking to retire, the business motivated economy has transfigured how one must live in order to live comfortably. Building credit through credit cards is often perceived to be the only way in order for a buyer to appear credible. Yet in the quest for the optimal credit score people enter into debt. Considering and evaluating the risks and benefits to credit cards may contribute to opinions towards those flimsy pieces of plastic.

Evaluation: This article, posted on April 1, 2016, was originally published on TheConversation.com. Throughout the article, the author cites sources that come from 2012-2017, with the majority of them coming from 2015-2016. Moreover, these cited websites are credible, well-known, and have information that can be corroborated with other sources. Some of these sites included The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and a report from the Federal Reserve. Moving on, the author, Mechele Dickerson, is an expert on this topic. Dickerson received both her B.A. and J.D. from Harvard University and currently works as a professor of law at the University of Texas at Austin. Here, she teaches classes on consumer law, debt and spending to law and undergraduate students. In her current research, she explores causes and consequences of consumer debt and how the culture

Credit card debt arises because of unexpected predicaments or impulsive financial decisions. Financial hardships, like credit card debt, are usually the result of poor financial knowledge. This issue is most frequently found in junior enlisted service members, single parents, separated, newly married, or those who have recently relocated. “A survey of 700 service members reveals that, more than one in four reported having more than $10,000 in credit card debt. The enlisted personnel were the highest to respond with making the minimum payments and paid late fees” (Singletary, 2010). Credit card debt may cause difficulties in Soldiers and families, has been associated with depression, and influences personal relationships,

According to Eric Hoover, the lure of easy credit on college campuses causes students to be burdened with needless and unscrupulous debt. In his essay, “The Lure of Easy Credit Leaves Students Struggling with Debt,” Hoover effectively argues his position through significant references and by successfully rebutting the opposition. Hoover explains how college students are not prepared to deal with the financial responsibilities associated with managing credit cards and why credit debt companies specifically target college students. Hoover also discusses the problems of new legislation created to eliminate chapter seven-bankruptcy relief and its subsequent effect on college students with outstanding

     With religion playing an important role in the average Americans lives, consumerism began to grow in the white and blue-collar workers. Their families started to spend extra cash instead of saving it. Washing machines, dryers, and new cars became commonly bought items. The Homeowner who needed some extra cash, but couldn’t work enough hours to purchase that item when he needed it, started to use personal credit. This began the craze of credit cards. ”The Diner Club” introduced the first credit card in 1950: By the 1970s the ubiquitous plastic credit card had revolutionized personal and family finance”(Henretta, pg.790). The awareness of addition free time was aware

On a periodic basis, the Federal reserve releases key statistics related to credit card debt in America. With almost 2,000,000,000 credit cards in use while in the hands of almost 200,000,000 individual credit card holders, there is no denying the popularity of these little pieces of plastic. Through May of 2015, Americans were responsible for $901 billion in credit

Whilst a critical part of consumer spending, credit card companies are constantly accused of malicious legal contracts and schemes to increase profits. Without heavy regulation, these companies have the power to bankrupt millions of Americans that rely on credit cards in their daily lives. However, after the introduction of The Credit Card Act of 2009, these accusations represent an inability to accept responsibility for financial blunders on the consumer’s behalf. Due largely in part to the government’s strict regulations, credit card companies should not be at fault for the student credit card debt crisis. Credit card companies remain blameless for student credit card debt as a result of

In today’s economy, cash or a credit card is needed to meet the basic human needs. It is an apparent fact that we need cash or credit cards to purchase items such as food, clothing, and to buy gas. Also, when you are out shopping and discover that you have used all the cash in your possession, it is then that you realize that the advantage of having a credit card. Furthermore, with cash, you are restricted to the amount in your wallet or purse; however, a credit card allows you to pay for your purchase at a later date. Both cash and credit cards can be useful when you manage them wisely. While cash and credit cards are similar in that they both are readily accessible, used for goods and services at the time of purchase, they are dissimilar because of theft, high- interest rates, identity theft.

The question of whether credit card companies should market on campuses or not, brings many different opinions, some of which are driven by personal experience and some that are driven by profit. There are those who do not agree with this because they know what they have gone through with credit card debt. There are also those who say they should market on campus because they are adults and contribute to the company’s profit. Even though students are adults and need to earn credit, credit card companies should not market to college students on campus because they are too naive and this results in graduating with too much debt.

In the modern world we live in today, technology has been making our lives easy for as long as we can remember. When an average American stands at the cash register to pay, they are likely to pull out some form of cards such as Visa, American Express, Master card, Capital one or Discover card. All this card mentioned are all called Credit cards. Credit Cards seems to be easy and fast way to pay for purchases when you don’t have cash. Most stores in the United States do not accept check, they prefer cash or credit cards. Although, there are so many positive reasons to own a credit card, it can also cause many problems if one isn 't wise with making sending. One main reason why people set up businesses is with the sole aim of making profit. Credit Card companies must make profit to help the company provide money to their customers. To do this, these companies have set up many ways to squeeze money extra money from their customers. They designed ways such as charging late fees and inactive fees to make money. As a result of this, many people find themselves in huge debt. With this intention, government have to find a way to prevent people from getting into debt. They developed an amendment that would prevent credit card companies from squeezing extra money from their customers. On May 22, President Barack Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 into law.The Credit Card Act of 2006 deals with the limitations of fees such as the