Credit cards hold tremendous power. Your use of them, proper or otherwise, can mean having breathing room, in case of an emergency, positive impact on your credit scores and history, and the possibility of perks that enhance your lifestyle. Keep reading to learn some great ideas on how to harness the power of credit cards in your life.
Do not use your credit card to make purchases or everyday items like milk, eggs, gas and chewing gum. Doing this can quickly become a habit and you can end up racking your debts up quite quickly. The best thing to do is to use your debit card and save the credit card for larger purchases.
To help you get the maximum value from your credit card, choose a card which provides rewards based on the amount of money you spend. Many credit card rewards programs will give you up to two percent of your spending back as rewards which can make your purchases much more economical.
In order to maintain a solid credit score, always pay your balances by the due date. Any and all late payments will negatively impact your credit ranking, and could lead to expensive fees. One of the best ways to save you both time and money is to set up automatic payments.
Be sure to check your credit card’s terms to see if it charges an annual fee to use the card. You want to make sure that you don’t pay a premium for the credit card. Annual fees for platinum or black cards could be in the range of $100 to $1,000 depending on the exclusivity of the card. Avoid paying these fees by refraining from signing up for exclusive credit cards if you don’t really need them.
Just as you want to avoid paying late fees, you want to avoid that over the limit fee as well. Both are high fees and going over your limit will also damage your credit score. Carefully watch that you do not exceed your credit limit.
If you have a credit card with high interest you should consider transferring the balance. Many credit card companies offer special rates, including 0% interest, when you transfer your balance to their credit card. Do the math to figure out if this is beneficial to you before you make the decision to transfer balances.
Emergency, business or travel purposes, is all that a credit card should really be used for. You want to keep credit open for the times when you need it most, not when purchasing luxury items. You never know when an emergency will crop up, so it is best that you are prepared.
Don’t use passwords and pins for your cards that can be simply figured out by someone else. It is a huge mistake to use something like your middle name, date of birth or the names of your children because this is information that anyone could find out.
If you have made the poor decision of taking out a cash loan on your credit card, be sure to pay it off as soon as possible. Making a minimum payment on this kind of loan is a big mistake. Pay the minimum on other cards, if it means you can pay this debt off faster.
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.
Examine your credit card statement monthly with a fine tooth comb. Check to see if there are errors, and make sure that you actually incurred all the charges. If you see a questionable charge, immediately report it to the credit card company. Doing so helps avoid paying fees or charges that shouldn’t be there.
Prior to applying for a credit card, try to build your credit up at least six months in advance. Then, be sure to take a look at your credit report. By doing this, you are more likely to get approved for the credit card and get a higher credit limit, as well.
Verify all fees surrounding cards and don’t think of only annual percentage and interest rates. The card may come with additional fees and charges that make the card unbearable.
Once you close a credit card account, be sure to check your credit report. Make sure that the account that you have closed is registered as a closed account. While checking for that, be sure to look for marks that state late payments. or high balances. That could help you pinpoint identity theft.
Always try to find a credit card that does not charge an annual fee. Some credit cards that charge annual fees try to entice users with bonus offers or cash back incentives. While these types of rewards might be tempting, really think about whether or not they are worth the annual fee you will be forced to pay. In many cases, they are not.
Before you get any credit card just be sure to read all documentation first. Although you may only have to make a small deposit, there may be tons of hidden fees that will reduce your credit limit.
Use one particular credit card for internet purchases, so you can protect your other finances in case there is ever a problem where your information is compromised. When you use all of your cards, or even just two of them for online purchases, you multiple your exposure to the possibility of fraudulent use.
As was stated earlier, the credit cards in your wallet represent considerable power in your life. They can mean having a fallback cushion in case of emergency, the ability to boost your credit rating and the chance to rack up rewards that make your life easier. Apply what you have learned in this article to maximize your potential benefits.
