How To Use Your Credit Cards Wisely
Are you one of the thousands pulling your hair out trying to figure out how you're going to pay your credit card bills? Using your credit cards wisely and sensibly will help you avoid financial problems and establish a strong credit rating, so here's some information to help you get your credit card problems under control.
Credit cards are convenient for buying things now and paying later. Credit card companies are in business to make money. Don't forget that every time you use your credit card you are borrowing money. You will pay a finance charge if you don't pay off your balance each month.
Millions of people use credit cards to avoid carrying large amounts of cash, for emergencies, to track spending, etc. However, charging more than your income allows can be worrisome and potentially devastating to your finances and your credit rating. The pitfalls of credit card use are the accumulation of large amounts of debt and the inability to make more than the minimum monthly payment.
It's important to look out for your own interests. Some credit card companies have lowered minimum monthly payments to less than two percent of the balance. It could take 30 years or more to pay off your credit cards if you pay only the minimum payment. Debit cards should not be confused with credit cards. There is no credit extended with a debit card. The money is deducted directly from your savings or checking account. The bottom line is don't spend more than you can afford to pay on a monthly basis.
Limit the number of credit card applications you fill out. There will be an inquiry into your credit report for each application you submit. Your credit report contains a record of every company or institution that has evaluated your credit. It reflects negatively on your credit score if you have an inquiry that does not lead to the issuance of a credit card. Obtaining too many credit cards can affect your ability to finance other purchases as well, such as homes or automobiles. Too much available credit can cause suspicion in the eyes of a lender as to your ability to repay your potential debt.
Consider what you are looking for in a credit card such as the interest rate, annual fee, grace period, and credit line. Be wary of companies offering cards with a low introductory interest rate that often lasts for only a brief period of time, after which they become considerably higher. The average interest rate for credit cards is over fifteen percent. Choose a credit card with no annual fee. Credit card issuers are paid a percentage from the vendor each time you make a purchase. Many companies have waived the annual fee to attract customers. Avoid cards offering a high credit limit. There is great potential to overspend. Instead, pay down your balance before using your card to make additional purchases. Send in your payment well ahead of the due date. Issuers may charge late fees, and late payments could result in a considerably higher interest rate than the advertised rate.
So the bottom line is by using your credit cards wisely you can reduce adverse effects of credit cards and maximize the benefits by spending wisely, using self-discipline, and paying off your balance as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary fees.
About The Author
© Noel Hynes is the owner of http://1st-for-credit-cards.com. Easy online credit card applications.
MORE RESOURCES:
Dana Holding Corporation CFO to Present at 2008 Credit Suisse ... MarketWatch - will participate in the annual Credit Suisse Global Automotive Conference in New York, NY Dana will provide access to a webcast of Yost's presentation, ... Tenneco to Webcast Presentation at2008 Credit Suisse Global ... |
Be Prepared for Arguments and Snooping When Sharing Credit Card ... MarketWatch - AUSTIN, Texas, Aug 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Nearly one in five people who share credit card accounts say use of the accounts has sparked arguments with ... Pay Down Your Consumer Debt |
New Arizona law on credit freezes taking effect CNNMoney.com - NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Arizona consumers are gaining a new shield from identify theft: the ability to impose low-cost freezes on their credit reports ... |
TCM Bank, NA Selects Cypress Software Systems' Mark IV to Automate ... MarketWatch - "There aren't many application processing solutions that could handle our needs, but Cypress' Mark IV offers the flexibility we require to manage credit ... |
Hawaii credit unions: $7.6B in assets Bizjournals.com, NC - Credit unions in Hawaii reported $7.6 billion in total assets in the first six months of the year ending June 30, up 6.4 percent over the previous six ... |
Group wants homebuyers to use new tax credit Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - By touting the new $7500 refundable tax credit contained in the massive housing-stimulus bill President Bush signed last month. The credit expires July 1. ... |
S&P cuts Radian Group's counterparty credit rating CNNMoney.com - NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's on Tuesday night cut the counterparty credit rating on Radian Group Inc. to junk ... S&P Downgrades Units Of Three Mortgage Insurers S&P downgrades Teekay over acquisition debt |
Dallas-area electricity customers to get a credit on their bills ... Dallas Morning News, TX - By ERIC TORBENSON / The Dallas Morning News Power customers are likely to receive a one-time credit of $12.58 from their retail electric providers thanks to ... Oncor to mail $72 million in credits to consumers Oncor Customers To Get Piece Of $72 Million Credit Oncor Begins $72 Million Payout to Consumers |
Fitch Releases US Term Credit Action Report July 2008 MarketWatch - NEW YORK, Aug 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fitch Ratings recently published its latest US Term Credit Action Report July 2008. In July 2008, Fitch issued ... Fitch Ratings Affirms ASC 1997-D5 |
 Boston Globe | Credit Crisis: Government role? Seattle Post Intelligencer - We don't like the idea of saving individual investors, but we recognize that the mortgage twins are essential for the flow of credit to ordinary homeowners. ... CREDIT CRUNCH: FDIC, BLACK LIST US BANKS UP TO 117 Credit crunch: List of at-risk US banks increases sharply as ... Credit crunch hasn’t hit bottom, FDIC says |
3 Free Credit Reports For You
If you were to tell someone that they can have a certain item for free, more than likely their response would be, "what's the catch?" In the case of credit reports there is no catch, you can now get a free copy of this report through the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnions, and Experian. Let's take a look at the law and how you can benefit from it.
Recognizing the Signs that You Might Need Credit Counseling
Most families in America today have a credit card; some have two or more. The type of credit card you own, gold, platinum, ext, is almost a status symbol in society.
Consolidating Credit Cards
Credit card consolidation is a popular solution for those with significant credit card debt, usually distributed on three or four different cards. Basically, this means putting all your debts together on a single card, like transferring it all to one loan.
Rewards Cards: Are They Worth It?
Virtually all consumers will have a credit card at some point in their lives. Is this an understatement? Probably, as most consumers carry multiple credit cards.
How Your Credit Rating Affects You, and How to Check It
You might not know it, but every time you take out any kind of loan or credit or pay something back, it gets counted on your credit rating. Who keeps a record on you will vary according to where you live, but the big three credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.
Credit Cards: Pros and Cons
Sure, there are a lot of problems with credit cards, but there are a lot of good things attached to them as well. For instance, if you have a small business, fleet credit cards can keep your books in order when you issue them to drivers of company vehicles for gas and automobile repairs.
Credit Card Dirty Tricks
There are many of us that have been badly stung by credit card companies that have charged exorbitant fees to use their credit cards. Several years ago an APR of 25% to 29% was common place which in simple terms means that if you borrow £1,000 your interest on that money would be £250 to £290 a year.
7 Compelling Reasons Why A Prepaid Debit Card May Be Just The Financial Tool You Need
Prepaid debit cards are great financial tools and may be just the financial tool you need. Here a seven compelling reasons why:1.
Which Credit Card?
Bewildered by the sheer variety of debit cards and credit cards? Here is a breakdown of some of the main types of debit and credit cards available:Debit cardYou can use a debit card to buy goods and services. A debit card is very much like a cheque, unlike a credit card, you pay for goods straight away and the money comes out of your account quickly.
It Takes Credit To Build Credit
Using a credit card wisely is an important step in building a good credit rating. If you're trying to re-build your credit or if you're young and just starting out, pay close attention the next time you receive a new card offer in the mail.
Dealing With A Collection Agency
Step I - Selecting A Collection AgencySelecting a credit collection agency is perhaps the most important and difficult task. Some factors you must consider while selecting a collection agency are:- Experience and professionals - Geographical presence - Expertise - Fees and charging model - Customer references - Collection Agency Services has covered this topic in depth through various free collections reports and articles on this site.
Beware the Shopping Mall Monster
Like me, you've probably been offered a fair old number of these by now..
Credit Repair Myths and Facts
There are no secrets to repairing your credit. Many shady credit repair agencies would love you to think the contrary.
Different Ways to Borrow Money
There are many different ways to borrow money. Outlined below is a useful guide to some of most common ways of borrowing money.
Credit Repair Scams
"Erase Bad Debt !""Remove Negative Items From Your Credit Report"You've probably seen these headlines and others just like it promising to clean up or "fix" bad credit. For someone who suffers from a bad or poor credit rating, these headlines are certainly an appealing offer.
10 Simple Steps to Manage Your Credit
By far the greatest invention the banks have ever come up with came out in the 20th century. Also the new field of Credit Management was born with the invention of the credit card.
Negotiating Rates with Your Credit Card Company
Ok, let's face it, everybody hates high credit card rates, and they drain hard earned money out of your wallet. As a valued consumer, it is apparent that you learn how to negotiate to get the absolute best rate that you possibly can.
Credit Cards - The Top 3 Things You Need To Know
Today there are so many different credit cards available, student prepaid, low interest cards etc. that it has becomes a real hassle to find the right one that will suit your needs.
Ways to Look Good without Selling Your Soul to the Credit Card Sharks
1. Buy clothes at thrift stores.
SuperCharged Secret 5, Credit Card Utopia
LIVING IN CREDIT CARD UTOPIALet's just take a brief moment to recap:If you've been following along on this journey with me, learning the 5 Super-Charged secrets to Credit Card Utopia, then you now know 4 very important things:You now know how to take advantage of zero to low interest credit card offers.You now know that there is safety in numbers, and you know the magic "Who's Who" of the major credit card companies.