These days it is important that consumers get all of the advice that they can get to advise them against overspending. Credit cards can either be an excellent tool for building your financial life or a huge liability that can wreak havoc on your finances. The best thing to do is carefully peruse all the fine print.
Be sure to limit the number of credit cards you hold. Having too many credit cards with balances can do a lot of harm to your credit. Many people think they would only be given the amount of credit that is based on their earnings, but this is not true.
Do not use credit cards to purchase items that are much more than you can possibly afford. It is acceptable to use your credit to make purchases that you will be able to pay off later, but do not make large purchases that could put you in a financial bind.
When it comes to credit cards, it is imperative that you read the contract and fine print. If there’s an offer for a pre-approved credit card or if a person says they can help you get a card, get all of the details beforehand. Be aware of what the interest rate on your card is and how long it will last. Research extra fees, as well as grace periods.
When you are getting your first credit card, or any card for that matter, make sure you pay close attention to the payment schedule, interest rate, and all terms and conditions. Many people neglect to read this information, but it is definitely to your benefit if you take the time to read through it.
Create a spending budget for your credit cards. You should be following a budget anyway so make sure to add your credit cards to it. Do not consider your available credit as extra income. Figure out a set amount that you’re comfortable with setting aside to make payments on your credit cards every month. Remain committed, and repay that amount religiously every month.
Credit cards are often essential for young people or couples. Even if you don’t feel comfortable holding a large amount of credit, it is important to actually have a credit account and have some activity running through it. Opening and using a credit account helps you to build your credit score.
Keep an eye on mailings from your credit card company. While some might be junk mail offering to sell you additional services, or products, some mail is important. Credit card companies must send a mailing, if they are changing the terms on your credit card. Sometimes a change in terms can cost you money. Make sure to read mailings carefully, so you always understand the terms that are governing your credit card use.
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.
Only order a credit card by mail if you have a mailbox that locks. Many people have admitted they have stolen credit cards out of unlocked mailboxes.
If you are determined to stop using credit cards, cutting them up is not necessarily the best way to do it. Just because the card is gone doesn’t mean the account is no longer open. If you get desperate, you may ask for a new card to use on that account, and get trapped in the same cycle of charging you wanted to get out of in the first place!
Never let anyone else use a credit card that is in your name. It could be your close friend, but it’s still a bad idea to give it to someone. You may end up exceeding your credit limit and incurring charges if they make charges you were not expecting.
Live by a zero balance goal, or if you can’t reach zero balance monthly, then maintain the lowest balances you can. Credit card debt can quickly spiral out of control, so go into your credit relationship with the goal to always pay off your bill every month. This is especially important if your cards have high interest rates that can really rack up over time.
You can request a free annual credit report to ensure all the information on it is accurate. Check your credit report against your own account statements to ensure that they align.
In conclusion, consumers often fall victim to the negative effects of credit cards, such as high interest rates. Hopefully, the advice in this article has showm you how you can wisely use your credit cards and given you the information that you need to help with your financial success.
