Credit cards have the capacity to serve as valuable financial tools for anyone willing to use them in a responsible, disciplined manner. Knowledge is essential, however, when it comes to choosing the best cards and using them in the most effective way possible. Use the ideas in this piece, as part of your daily life and you will be well on your way to becoming a smart credit consumer.
Before you choose a credit card company, be sure that you compare interest rates. There is no standard when it comes to interest rates, even when it is based on your credit. Every company uses a different formula to figure what interest rate to charge. Be sure that you compare rates, to ensure that you get the best deal possible.
Be wary of late payment charges. Many of the credit companies out there now charge high fees for making late payments. Most of them will also increase your interest rate to the highest legal interest rate. Before you choose a credit card company, be sure that you are fully aware of their policy regarding late payments.
Be safe when giving out your credit card information. If you like to order things online with it, then you have to be sure the website is secure. If you notice charges that you didn’t make, call the customer service number for the credit card company. They can help deactivate your card and make it unusable, until they mail you a new one with a new account number.
The reason a credit card company will ask you to make a minimum payment is because they want you to pay this amount over time to make the most money off of you. To help decrease the length of time it takes to pay of your unpaid balance, pay at least 10 percent more than what is due. Don’t incur expensive interest costs over time.
Make sure you know the current interest rate of the credit card you are applying for. This is very important: prior to singing up with a credit card company, be sure you know what rate you’re paying. Without a clear understanding of the interest charges, your bills could rise unexpectedly. If you’re paying more, you may not be able to afford to pay off the debt each month.
Make friends with your credit card issuer. Most major credit card issuers have a Facebook page. They might offer perks for those that “friend” them. They also use the forum to address customer complaints, so it is to your advantage to add your credit card company to your friend list. This applies, even if you don’t like them very much!
Instead of just blindly applying for cards, hoping for approval, and letting credit card companies decide your terms for you, know what you are in for. One way to effectively do this is, to get a free copy of your credit report. This will help you know a ballpark idea of what cards you might be approved for, and what your terms might look like.
Pay off as much of your balance as you can each month. The more you owe the credit card company each month, the more you will pay in interest. If you pay even a small amount in addition to the minimum payment each month, you can save yourself a great deal of interest each year.
As a general rule, you should avoid applying for any credit cards that come with any type of free offer. More often than not, anything that you get free with credit card applications will always come with some sort of catch or hidden costs that you are sure to regret later on down the road.
Fully read the disclosure statement before you accept a credit card. This statement explains the terms of use for that card, including any associated interest rates and late fees. By reading the statement, you can understand the card you are choosing, in order to make effective decisions when it comes to paying it off.
Be careful about making online purchases with your credit card. Before you enter any of your credit card information, make sure the site you are using is secure. You can set your browser to notify the security settings for each website you visit. Also, disregard emails which attempt to collect credit card information.
It is wise to refrain from giving a credit card to a child. It is best to let children wait to get credit cards until they reach the age of 18, or when they can get their own. Instead, consider opening them a checking account and giving them an allowance. This will help them learn to manage a small amount of money so that they will be ready to manage a credit card when the time comes.
Most people would agree that credit cards have a useful role to play in everyday personal finances. The important thing to understand is that along with the convenience they can offer, comes the necessity of adhering to strict principles of appropriate usage. The tips and guidance contained in this article can provide an important framework for the wise management of your personal finances.
