Southwest Airlines has jumped into the “amazing rewards” fray with their new Rapid Rewards program. As part of this new rewards program, their Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card gives you 50,000 Bonus Points after your first purchase.

Last year, we signed up for the American Airlines AAdvantage 75,000 bonus miles offer credit card. And we got free airline tickets for our trip to Paris.

How I called the credit card company, talked with two agents, got a refund on my $85 annual fee, and got a spending bonus for the next 18 months.

I have a seriously cute dog, one of the kinds of dogs that literally stops traffic with her cuteness. Maybe not on busy streets, but certainly in my neighborhood – she has these huge ears that are almost always standing up, but she’s built real low to the ground. I’ve never produced a photo of her without getting a genuine “Awwwww” in return. How much fun is it going to be…

The word FAKO refers to any credit score that doesn’t use the proprietary FICO scoring method. All of the credit reporting agencies have created their own scoring systems. In addition to their own scoring methods, the 3 credit agencies got together and created a shared credit scoring system called VantageScore to compete with FICO.

Call it a case of youthful naivete – in 1994, artist Cain Motter received a convenience check in the mail for $50 – and he spent it believing it was a gift. It wasn’t, of course; it was a standard marketing strategy used by many credit card companies. He learned that lesson when he received a bill in the mail for that amount plus the usual charges a credit card company applies.

If you have fair credit and need to make a new purchase (but don’t have the cash), then Household Bank can help. Their Cashback Rewards Mastercard charges you 0% interest for the first 9 months. Simply apply for the credit card and make your purchases. Anything you buy will be added to your balance, and you’ll pay no interest for the first 9 months you have the card.