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If Karl Malden were telling you “don’t leave home without it,” he could just be referring to your iPhone. While you can’t yet replace your wallet with your iPhone, a handful of credit card applications have made themselves indispensable to its users.

Credit Card Issuers’ Proprietary Apps

A handful of credit card issuers have helped set new standards of customer service with their popular, free iPhone apps:

• Bank of America: One of the first iPhone banking apps remains near the top of the charts because of its simplicity.
• American Express: Members can track reward points and manage company expenses across multiple AmEx accounts on the same screen.
• Discove Card: Cardholders can track cash back reward amounts and sign up for special money-saving promotions instantly.

Dozens of banks add dedicated iPhone apps to the App Store every month. A highly responsive iPhone app can replace a frustrating call center exchange with a fun and informative online browsing session. Real-time information helps prevent going over your spending limits.

Combination Credit Card Apps

Of course, most of us maintain more than one credit card account. That’s why developers also offer apps that connect us to multiple information streams at once:

• Personal Assistant: A frequently featured app, Personal Assistant pulls key balance and purchasing information directly from credit card issuers’ secure websites.
• Mint: The companion app to the popular online budgeting and expense tracking website, Mint offers snapshots of daily and monthly spending.
• AT&T Mobile Banking: An app enhances AT&T’s existing mobile banking features by reporting credit card transaction details for banks without their own dedicated iPhone apps.

Whether you like keeping your credit cards separate or tracking them in a single app, the iTunes Store has a solution that’s right for you. Most credit card apps are free, with some advanced features costing just a few dollars to activate.

The iTunes App Store ranks credit card applications by release date and by popularity, making it easy to discover new apps. Even if you didn’t purchase your iPhone at an Apple Store, specialists at Apple’s retail locations can answer questions about many popular apps when you stop in for a free workshop.

Most of us have been tempted, at one time or another, to let a small purchase slip undetected on a corporate credit card. In these five cases, investigators say greed and hubris trumped ethics and common sense:

#5: Charge your child’s college fund to your corporate credit card.

Described by colleagues as bright and ambitious, Betsy Collins earned the job of executive assistant to the head of a growing home improvement company. While using a corporate credit card to book travel for trade show attendees, Collins discovered that she could charge up to $100,000 per month without requiring her boss’s approval. Soon, Collins used the card and her boss’s email account to buy gift cards and to make PayPal payments to herself. Upon pleading guilty to embezzling over $1.5 million, Collins told prosecutors that she simply wanted to cover her young child’s eventual college expenses.

#4: Buy that awesome flatscreen TV from Best Buy, then pawn it.

Authorities allege that former Texas A&M University business associate Adrienne Martin used three purchasing cards and a department travel credit card to buy $35,000 in goods for resale. Repeat purchases of appliances, personal computers, and home theatre equipment triggered an internal audit. Investigators then tracked an LCD television from its purchase at Best Buy to a neighborhood pawn shop within a single day. The university terminated Martin’s employment six days later.

#3: Purchase your entire Amazon wish list, from your office computer.

Experts at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners say that rogue employees often rationalize corporate credit card abuse after feeling mistreated by their bosses. A jury in Georgia found Marjorie Warren guilty of forgery and theft after she took her employer’s credit card and checking account on a three-year, $100,000 online shopping spree. Warren told prosecutors that she had been upset when the owner of her struggling medical practice asked her to take a 50% pay cut.

#2: Buy two Jaguars, then buy two more practical vehicles. Like Audis.

Martin Bodner worked as the Chief Financial Officer for Tommy Hilfiger Handbags, and so did his son. At least, that’s what the payroll records showed. When company colleagues questioned two Bodners on the payroll even though only one ever appeared at the office, auditors discovered $19 million in credit card fraud and other embezzlement activity. The star prize: using company credit cards to purchase a pair of Jaguars and a pair of Audis, then setting up automated car insurance payments for all four vehicles. Bodner was sentenced to five years in prison.

#1: Spend $20 million on fancy clothes for your charity fundraising events.

Federal investigators allege that Koss Headphones Vice President Sue Sachdeva used her company’s American Express cards at neighborhood salons and boutiques. Sachdeva’s monthly payments to the card issuer became so large, they required a new wire transfer arrangement. Records indicate that Sachdeva spent $1.35 million on clothes from a single store, among $20 million in disputed charges. Investigators found many of her purchases, with price tags still attached, in the executive’s office. The boutique’s owners told local reporters that Sachdeva often purchased fancy attire for her many fundraising and charity activities. Local officials wondered aloud to the press whether Sachdeva could have made a bigger impact by simply encouraging her employer to donate $20 million to charity directly.

Most corporate credit card accounts now feature advanced fraud protection, accounting for up to one third of detected internal theft cases. ACFE experts estimate that over half of corporate credit card abusers get caught through pure bad luck, such as being spotted using a card by a friend or colleague. Fraud investigators urge company leaders to use credit card reporting tools that make purchase histories transparent to owners, board members, and investors.

Using a credit card is a great way to pay for a Mother’s Day gift. But while you’re focused on choosing the perfect gift, you might be setting yourself up for a credit card disaster. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure Mother’s Day goes smoothly.

1. Know your credit card limits. You’ve just had a lovely brunch with Mom. But now the waiter comes to your table to tell you that your card’s been declined. Sure, your mom’s not the boss of you anymore, but no one wants to get that “Mom” look that says, “Are you in debt up to your eyeballs?” Reaching your limit should never be a surprise to you, but make extra sure it won’t happen at brunch with your mom.

2. Ask her what she wants. Many of us have decided that when it comes to pleasing Mom, surprises are overrated. If you’re taking her out to a fancy restaurant, ask her where she’d love to go for her special day. If you take her to a place she doesn’t like, you’ve got the expense on your credit card and you have to pay the bill even though your mom isn’t happy. If you must make it a surprise to feel like you’ve done a good job, make it a non-food purchase and focus on something that’s returnable. And, no, a blender is a not a good idea.

3. Know what your rewards card covers. If you’re depending on a rewards card to help you pay for dinner or a gift, make sure you’re familiar with the terms and conditions in your disclosure statements. Credit cards with reward features are a wonderful thing, but if you don’t use them properly, you’ll end up with a credit card bill that’s higher than what you were comfortable spending.

4. Give her an AmEx gift card. In case you’re not sure, by Mom standards, this is a fairly impersonal gift. Here’s how you sweeten the deal: Tell her that you’ll go with her to spend it. Then accompany her wherever she wants to go, whether it’s to a restaurant or to buy azaleas at the gardening store. And, yes, if she buys the azaleas and asks you to plant them, you have to say yes.

5. Save money on traditional gifts. Are you on a tight budget? No need to go into credit card debt. Give her flowers and chocolates at a reduced rate. Buy her Ghirardelli chocolate and save 15 percent when you use your VISA card. Check out the recently launched MasterCard Marketplace where you can get 25 percent off flowers from FTD plus a whole lot more from other service providers when you use your MasterCard.

It’s that time of year when we think about ridding our homes of clutter and making everything look shiny and new again. How about applying that same concept to your credit cards? No, you don’t need to polish your cards, but “cleaning up” the way you deal with your credit card paperwork is always a good idea.

Read your credit card and disclosure statements and check for the following:

• Added fees, such as annual or inactivity fees–With the new credit card legislation, new fees are likely to pop up.
• Increased APRs–A lot of increases happened before the credit card legislation went into effect on February 22. The CARD Act does offer some protection against significant changes, but read your statements to make sure your issuer is following the rules.
• Increased fees for things such as balance transfers, cash advances, late fees, and foreign exchange fees
• Less attractive rewards programs–These changes could be subtle. For instance, the amount of cash earned on purchases might decrease by .25 percent. Or maybe you now have a slightly higher purchase requirement before your bonus miles kick in. Some of the changes might seem tiny, but over time, they can add up.

Another spring cleaning ritual is storing away those winter clothes. Okay, you’re not storing away your cards for the spring, but you do need to store your receipts and statements.

Here are some ways to organize your credit card clutter:

• Start a mail ritual. When the statements come in, read them as soon as possible. Verify the charges against your receipts. Make it a habit! If anything looks amiss, contact your card issuer right away.
• Once you’ve read your statements, file them. You don’t need an expensive cabinet. You can use a simple manila folder, an accordion file (works well for receipts), or a small plastic filing box. Even a shoe box will do. The most important thing is that it’s convenient and easy for you to maintain.
• If you decide to throw away the monthly statements and receipts after you’ve matched them, use a shredder to protect yourself from identity theft.

Whether you’re a rabid fan who’s been counting the days until the first pitch or you’re a casual fan who goes to the ballpark to escape from your office, there’s nothing like a day of baseball in the spring.

There’s also nothing like paying nine bucks for a hotdog at the concession stand. But your day at the park doesn’t have to be a budget buster. Here are some tips to keep more cash in your wallet:

Set a baseball budget. You wouldn’t go on vacation without setting a budget, right? Think of your trip to the ballpark as a mini vacation. And if you’re taking a family, things add up in a hurry. Tell the kids what the budget is before you leave your home.

Use your credit cards to stay on budget. This really works as long as you have the discipline to say “no” to the six dollar Dippin’ Dots when you only have 50 cents left in your budget. Use your credit card to buy the tickets and shoot for the nosebleed section to save money. Subtract the ticket cost from your budget. The amount left is what you have to spend on food and souvenirs. Oh, and parking.

Keep track of what you’ve spent. Collect your credit card receipts from purchases during the game and keep a running total. You say you’re not good at math? Sorry, you don’t get off that easily. Put a tiny calculator in your purse and you’re ready to add at a moment’s notice. No math aptitude necessary!

Save money by bringing a cooler. The rules for this vary by park. You can save a bundle by bringing your own soft drinks and water. Check the website for your park and you’ll find the rules, which usually include the size and type of coolers allowed. If you’ve got a rewards credit card that gives points for groceries, use it when you buy your drinks and snacks.

Pack your reward cards. Driving to the park? Use a gas rebate card, such as the Discover Open Road. You get Double Cashback Bonus when you use any gas station.

Ever feel like you’ll scream if you have to hear the same credit card advice one more time? Let’s take a look at three of the most popular tips you’re tired of hearing–and improve on them.

#1 Don’t use credit cards

Really? Unless you’re a compulsive spender, this advice is puzzling. Using credit cards responsibly offers many benefits. It gives you a credit history, which will come in handy when you need it. That new home you have your eye on? It’s not happening without a stable credit history.

If you lost your job during the economic meltdown, you might be in a position where you got into debt and now need to rebuild your credit. Using your cards and paying your bills on time will help repair your score. It takes time, but it works.

#2 Don’t use more than 30 percent of your available credit

You’ve probably heard about your “credit utilization rate.” It can get a little confusing, so here’s an example:

Let’s say your total credit card debt balances equal $5,000 and the total limit across all of your cards equals $20,000.

Your utilization rate = 5,000/20,000 = .25, or 25 percent.

Now, having a utilization rate under 30 percent may have been good advice before the economic meltdown. But if you want a higher credit score, pay off some debt and knock your utilization rate down to about 10 percent. These days, issuers love consumers with great scores.

#3 Use credit cards for emergencies only

If you pay your debt off when the statement comes, there are some cost-saving and practical reasons to use your card regularly.

Some card issuers are bringing back inactivity fees. The terms and conditions vary, but you could be charged an inactivity fee if you don’t use your card for more than six months. And what about getting rewards points? If you choose a rewards card that suits your lifestyle, you can even save money.

One more reason: If you’re heading out for a celebration dinner, do you really want to carry around that much cash? Sometimes, using your credit card is just the practical–and safe–thing to do.

With all of the bad press surrounding the credit card industry over the past few years, this headline might make some of you scratch your heads. However, credit cards are still a valuable tool for the financially savvy. Here are the top reasons why I’m still gaga over my credit cards.

They Pay Me to Use Them!

Many cards offer a rewards program and, with a variety to choose from, it wasn’t hard to find one that suited my lifestyle. I use my Chase Freedom Plus card–which offers cash back rewards–for most of my monthly expenses, and therefore get a percentage of my monthly expenses back from Chase. I always pay in full, so interest charges do not cut into my earnings.

Fraud Protection

If my cash is lost or stolen, I know I can almost always chalk it up as a loss. And, while debit cards do provide some fraud protection, they leave my bank account at risk. If someone swipes my debit card and quickly drains my bank account before the card is canceled, I could be stuck without access to the stolen funds for 7 to 10 business days while the bank investigates. If the same thing happens with my credit card, I only lose access to a line of credit temporarily.

Convenience

Credit cards allow me to easily track expenses and are often faster at the point of sale than other payment methods. They also make it possible to pay at the pump when I’m purchasing gas without the risk of the temporary preauthorization hold that can come with using my debit card.

I also set up automatic payments for reoccurring charges to my credit card. That way there is only one bill to manually pay at the end of the month. Of course, I could also do this using my bank account, but until they are willing to pay me cash back it’s not likely to happen.

Despite all the changes in the industry, it is still possible to use credit cards to your advantage. Like most things in life, it merely requires that you be responsible and know what you’re up against. I personally will continue to beat the credit card companies at their own game as long as they let me!

College students may have been the ones to put spring break on the map, but these days, entire families look forward to it. Here are four things to know before you and your credit cards hit the road:

#1: Protect yourself

Before you leave home, make a list of your account numbers and your card issuers’ phone numbers. Keep it in a safe place. If your card is stolen, you’ll have your card issuers’ contact information at your fingertips. Reporting a stolen card immediately helps limit your liability.

If you’re worried about other mishaps while traveling, there are cards that offer premium travel protection–for a price. For instance, you can get rental car protection against theft or damage. Or if you’re traveling with something valuable, paying for baggage protection might be a good idea.

#2: Just say no to foreign transaction fees

Travel is expensive enough without having foreign transaction fees denting your wallet. These fees can range from 1% to 3%. If you spend $100 (American dollars) on dinner at a lovely café in Paris, foreign transaction fees could jack up that price.

So if you’re traveling outside the U.S., choose your credit card carefully. Take a look at Capital One credit cards because this issuer is not currently charging these fees. Pentagon Fedferal Credit Union also offers a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

#3: Take advantage of reward programs

Choose a card where you earn rewards that fit in with your itinerary. Going on a road trip? Check out gas cards. Flying somewhere exotic? Compare airline rewards.

Many cards offer a combination of travel-related rewards. CardRatings.com has a huge database of rewards credit cards, and you can even sort them by reward type.

#4: Don’t come home in credit card debt

It’s easy to feel wild and free on vacation and suddenly decide you can eat filet mignon even though you’re on a hamburger budget.

Here’s the solution: If you don’t think you can keep yourself from splurging, consider using a prepaid credit card. These cards are recommended for those with poor credit, but you can use a prepaid card as a budgeting tool. Fund the card and tell your family that when the money’s gone, vacation is over. Just make sure you leave enough money for the drive home.