You may have avoided credit cards because you have heard that they can get people into trouble or that responsible financial management means never using a credit card. However, if you use credit cards properly, you can boost your credit score, so you don’t want to avoid credit cards out of fear. Read on to learn how to use credit cards appropriately.
When it comes to premium credit cards, find out if an annual fee is involved to make sure that you do not pay too much for the card. The annual fee for a platinum or black card could cost from $100, all the way up to $1,000, depending on how exclusive the card is. If you don’t need an exclusive card, keep this in mind and avoid the fees.
Avoid being the victim of credit card fraud by keeping your credit card safe at all times. Pay special attention to your card when you are using it at a store. Double check to make sure you have returned your card to your wallet or purse, when the purchase is finished.
One important tip for all credit card users is to make a budget. Having a budget is a great way to figure out whether or not you can afford to buy something. If you can’t afford it, charging something to your credit card is just a recipe for disaster.
Make sure that you do not order any credit cards in the mail if you do not have a lock on your mailbox. Credit card thieves have admitted to taking cards out of mailboxes that were unlocked.
You need to pay more than the minimum payment each month. If you aren’t paying more than the minimum payment you will never be able to pay down your credit card debt. If you have an emergency, then you could end up using all your available credit. So, each month try to send in a little extra money in order to pay down the debt.
Students who have credit cards, should be particularly careful of what they use it for. Most students do not have a large monthly income, so it is important to spend their money carefully. Charge something on a credit card if, you are totally sure you will be able to pay your bill at the end of the month.
Only spend what you could afford to pay for in cash. The benefit of using a card rather than cash, or a debit card, is that it establishes credit, which you will need to get a loan in the future. By only spending what you can afford to pay for in cash, you will never get into debt that you can’t get out of.
Make sure each month you pay off your credit cards when they are due, and most importantly, in full when possible. If you do not pay them in full each month, you will end up having to have pay finance charges on the unpaid balance, which will end up taking you a long time to pay off the credit cards.
Never allow yourself to open too many credit card accounts. Instead, find two or three that really work for you and stick to those. Having too many credit cards can harm your credit and it makes using money that you do not have that much easier. Stick to a couple cards and you will remain safe.
Compare rewards programs before you choose a credit card company. If you plan to use your credit card for a large percentage of your purchases, a rewards program can save you a great deal of money. Every rewards programs is different, it would be best, to research each one before you make a decision.
Never make the mistake of not paying credit card payments, because you can’t afford them. Any payment is better than nothing, that shows you truly want to make good on your debt. Not to mention that delinquent debt can end up in collections, where you will incur extra finance charges. This can also ruin your credit for years to come!
Always avoid paying upfront fees for any type of credit card, unless it’s a secured card. No legitimate credit card company asks for upfront fees. Also, do not pay anyone that claims to be able to assist you in getting a card. As long as your credit is good, you can get a card by yourself.
As you can now see, you’ve been doing yourself a disservice all these years by avoiding credit cards. Used correctly, credit cards aid your credit score and make it more likely that you will be able to get that mortgage or car loan you need. Use the tips that you have just read, in order to help you pick the best credit card for your needs.
