Credit Card Advice For Rookies And Pros
If you seem lost and confused in the world of credit cards, you are not alone. They have become so mainstream. Such a part of our daily lives, and yet so many people are still confused about the best ways to use them, how they affect your credit in the future, and even what the credit card companies are and are not allowed to do. This article will attempt to help you wade through all the information.
Make sure that you make your payments on time when you have a credit card. The extra fees are where the credit card companies get you. It is very important to make sure you pay on time to avoid those costly fees. This will also reflect positively on your credit report.
Understand what your interest rate will be. You must understand the interest rate before agreeing to accept a credit card. If you are unsure, over time you might pay much more than what items actually cost. When your interest rate is higher than you expected, paying off the card each month becomes more difficult.
Keep a close eye on your balance. You should also be sure to know that you are aware of the limit that your creditor has given you. If you pass that limit, you will end up paying more in fees than you know. This will make it harder for you to reduce your debt if you continue to exceed your limit.
Take the time to play around with numbers. Before you go out and put a pair of fifty dollar shoes on your credit card, sit with a calculator and figure out the interest costs. It may make you second-think the idea of buying those shoes that you think you need.
Don’t run out and get yourself multiple credit cards as soon as you come of age. Instead, wait a few months and ask questions so that you completely understand the pros and cons to a credit card. Read further to gain some insight into the credit world.
If you are having trouble with overspending on your credit card, there are several ways to save it only for emergencies. One of the best ways to do this is to leave the card with a trusted friend. They will only give you the card, if you can convince them you really need it.
When making purchases on the Internet, retain one copy of your credit card receipt. Do not throw that receipt out until you have your credit card statement in hand. That way you can compare the two and make sure charges are correct. In the case of erroneous charges, get in touch with the merchant and dispute the amount right away. This is a great way to make sure you are never overcharged for the items you buy.
Never use a public computer for online purchases. Public computers in coffee shops and public libraries could store your information, ready for a thief to retrieve and use it. It is very dangerous using these computers and entering any type of personal information. Don’t make purchases from another person’s computer.
Use a credit card to pay for a recurring monthly expense that you already have budgeted for. Then, pay that credit card off each and every month, as you pay the bill. Doing this will establish credit with the account, but you don’t have to pay any interest, if you pay the card off in full each month.
If you can’t get a credit card because of a spotty credit record, then take heart. There are still some options that may be quite workable for you. A secured credit card is much easier to get and may help you rebuild your credit record very effectively. With a secured card, you deposit a set amount into a savings account with a bank or lending institution – often about $500. That amount becomes your collateral for the account, which makes the bank willing to work with you. You use the card as a normal credit card, keeping expenses under that limit. As you pay your monthly bills responsibly, the bank may decide to raise your limit and eventually convert the account to a traditional credit card.
To avoid interest charges, don’t treat your credit card as you would an ATM card. Don’t get in the habit of charging every single item that you buy. Doing so, will only pile on charges to your bill, you may get an unpleasant surprise, when you receive that monthly credit card bill.
If you can, do not use your credit card at the grocery store or a restaurant. They take longer to appear on a statement, and you may not know your real available balance. Because you will think your balance is lower than it really is, you could end up spending more.
If you get to a point where you are having a difficult time making the monthly payment on a credit card, then you should destroy the card so that you will not be tempted to use it again. You can still pay it off without having the card in your possession.
If you are in good credit standing, but looking at high interest rates, try calling the credit card company to see if they will reduce the rate for you. Many times a credit card company will lower your interest rate. You can save a lot monthly, now that you’re carrying a balance.
If you owe money to your credit card company and you cannot afford to pay it, contact your company. You may be able to set up a hardship plan until you are able to pay the money back. This way, you can avoid getting into debt and ruining your credit.
Credit cards can be a great tool when used wisely. As you have seen from this article, it takes a lot of self control in order to use them the right way. If you follow the advice that you read here, you should have no problems getting the good credit you deserve, in the future.