Many people think all credit cards are the same, but this is not true. Credit cards can have different limits, rewards, and even interest rates. Selecting the right credit card takes a lot of thought. Here are some tips that will help you select the right credit card.
Create a spending budget for your credit cards. You should already have created an income budget, so include credit cards in that budget. You do not want to think of your credit card as extra money. Therefore, it is important to set a budget stating the amount of money you can charge to your credit card. Stick to it, and make sure you pay them off every month.
An important aspect of smart credit card usage is to pay the entire outstanding balance, each and every month, whenever possible. By keeping your usage percentage low, you will help keep your overall credit score high, as well as, keep a substantial amount of available credit open for use in case of emergencies.
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!
Never pay a credit card late. You may have to pay large fees if you ignore the due date on your credit card statement. In addition, most credit card companies will raise your interest rate, meaning all of your future purchases will cost you more.
If you have a credit card account and do not want it to be shut down, make sure to use it. Credit card companies are closing credit card accounts for non-usage at an increasing rate. This is because they view those accounts to be lacking in profit, and therefore, not worth retaining. If you don’t want your account to be closed, use it for small purchases, at least once every three months.
Do not make purchases with your credit card for things that you can not afford. Credit cards are for things that you purchase regularly or that fit into your budget. Making grandiose purchases with your credit card will make that item cost you a great deal more over time and will put you at risk for default.
Credit Cards
When making purchases with your credit cards you should stick to buying items that you need instead of buying those that you want. Buying luxury items with credit cards is one of the easiest ways to get into debt. If it is something that you can live without you should avoid charging it.
Many credit cards offer significant bonuses for signing up for a new card. Make certain you completely understand fine print in the terms and conditions though, because a lot of the credit card companies have very particular terms for you to qualify for before you get the bonus. For example, you may need to spend a specific amount within a certain period of time in order to qualify for the bonus. Be sure that you’ll be able to meet the requirements before you let the bonus offer tempt you.
Take advantage of the fact that you can get a free credit report yearly from three separate agencies. Make sure to get all three of them, so that you can be sure there is nothing going on with your credit cards that you may have missed. There may be something reflected on one that was not on the others.
Sometimes, when people use their credit cards, they forget that the charges on these cards are just like taking out a loan. You will have to pay back the money that was fronted to you by the the financial institution that gave you the credit card. It is important not to run up credit card bills that are so large that it is impossible for you to pay them back.
It is a good idea to avoid walking around with any credit cards on you that already have a balance. If the card balance is zero or very close to it, then that is a better idea. Walking around with a card with a large balance will only tempt you to use it and make things worse.
Keep the total number of credit cards you use to an absolute minimum. Carrying balances on multiple credit cards can complicate your life needlessly. Shift your debt onto the card with the lowest interest. You will be able to keep better track of your debts and pay them off faster if you stick with a single credit card.
Now that you realize that all credit cards aren’t created equal, you can give some proper thought to the type of credit card you might want. Since cards differ in interest rates, rewards, and limits, it can be tough to choose one. Luckily, the tips you’ve received can help you make that choice.
