Discover Financial Services, a company with a new twist! Discover Card customers have always been fortunate to work with a company that is on top of its game. I have received great customer service from them every time we have done business. According to Fox Business, during a recent interview Mike Boush, Vice President of Marketing discussed that they are now offering new services to their credit card customers via their website. They have offered a range of services for years many of which are easily accessible via internet. The service that caught my eye? A pay down planner; this is a specialized program to allow the customer to figure out how long it will take to pay off their balance.

Now there are millions of payment calculators out there. Some of which allow you to play around to estimate particular payments. Not many work your current balance and interest rate into a time frame which can be manipulated by changing the payment. I feel it is a great service that maybe on 3% will utilize in order to plan to pay the balance off. I believe the company has their customers best interest at heart but face it they are a “for profit” company. Meaning they don’t work for free and their investors expect good returns.

Their goal? Mixed, they are working to attract and retain a customer data base that is becoming less credit worthy as each day passes. They do want to keep happy customers. Those who have not maxed their cards out will not likely pay the balance off and cut it up. Card holders that have available credit will more than likely continue to charge purchases thus increasing the revenue the company collects from interest. For those looking for a good balance transfer deal, this service combined with a zero percent transfer for a certain amount of time will look really attractive to an individual who is paying between 8% and 15% interest on a balance.

Why are they not the devil? That little guy is the one sitting on your shoulder whispering “charge it!” The credit card companies do not force you to use them. Poor budgeting or lack of. Out of control spending and economic suffering may be pressuring you, but no one can force the swipe of the card. Kudos to the marketing of Discover Financial Services. Folks, keep working to eliminate debt, spend wisely, and happy reading!