Credit Cards And Personal Finance: Tips For Finding Balance
If you have never owned a credit card before, you may not be aware of the advantages it contains. A credit card can be used as a alternative form of payment in many locations, even online. In addition to this, it can be used to build a person’s credit score. If these advantages appeal to you, then continue reading for more information on credit cards and how to use them.
If you need to use credit cards, it is best to use one credit card with a larger balance, than 2, or 3 with lower balances. The more credit cards you own, the lower your credit score will be. Use one card, and pay the payments on time to keep your credit score healthy!
Pay all of your credit cards when they are due. Your credit card payments have a date that they are due by and ignoring them will cost you additional fees. Also, many creditors will increase your interest rates costing you even more money in the future.
The key to using a credit card correctly lies in proper repayment. Every time that you don’t repay the balance on a credit card account, your bill increases. This means that a $10 purchase can quickly turn into a $20 purchase all due to interest! Learn how to pay it off every month.
Always keep in mind that the introductory interest rate offered to you is not set in stone. Card companies use different interest rates for competition purposes. If you dislike your interest rate, get in touch with your bank and request a change.
If you ever have a charge on your card that is an error on the credit card company’s behalf, you can get the charges taken off. The way you do this is by sending them the date of the bill and what the charge is. You are protected from these things by the Fair Credit Billing Act.
Many people, especially when they are younger, feel like credit cards are a type of free money. The fact is, they are exactly the opposite, paid money. Remember, every time you use your credit card, you are basically taking out a micro-loan with incredibly high interest. Never forget that you must repay this loan.
Do your research prior to applying for a credit card. Certain companies charge a higher annual fee than others. Compare the rates of many different companies to make sure you get the one with the lowest fee. Also, do not forget to find out if the APR rate is fixed or variable.
If you close a credit card, cut up or shred your card, too. If you decide to throw it into a drawer or give it to your child to play with, it could end up in someone’s hands, and they could use the information to reopen the account and charge up debt in your name.
Now that you are aware of how beneficial a credit card can be, it’s time to start looking at some credit cards. Take the information from this article and put it to good use, so that you can apply for a credit card and start making purchases. For more information on click here: http://www.financebenefits.us