Credit Card Do’s And Don’ts

Credit Card Do’s And Don’ts – Good Tips To Save You Pain And Money

Credit cards can be very convenient. If you need some useful advice on using your credit cards responsibly, keep reading to find some great tips.

You should contact your creditor, if you know that you will not be able to pay your monthly bill on time. Many people do not let their credit card company know and end up paying very large fees. Some creditors will work with you, if you let them know the situation ahead of time and they may even end up waiving any late fees.

If you’re able to, always pay your credit card debt off in full every month. In the best scenario, credit cards ought to be used as convenient financial tools, but repaid fully before a new cycle starts. When handled correctly, your credit card can actually act as a credit builder, boosting your overall profile.

It is important for people not to purchase items that they cannot afford with credit cards. Just because an item is within your credit card limit, does not mean you can afford it. Make sure anything you buy with your card can be paid off by the end of the month.

Every time you decide to apply for a new credit card, your credit report is checked and an “inquiry” is made. This stays on your credit report for up to two years and too many inquiries, brings your credit score down. Therefore, before you start wildly applying for different cards, research the market first and choose a few select options.

An important tip for saving money on gas is to never carry a balance on a gas credit card or when charging gas on another credit card. Plan to pay it off each month, otherwise, you will not only pay today’s outrageous gas prices, but interest on the gas, as well.

It is good practice to check your credit card transactions with your online account to make sure they match up correctly. You do not want to be charged for something you didn’t buy. This is also a great way to check for identity theft or if your card is being used without your knowledge.

A great tip for saving on today’s high gas prices is to get a reward card from the grocery store where you do business. These days, many stores have gas stations, as well and offer discounted gas prices, if you sign up to use their customer reward cards. Sometimes, you can save up to twenty cents per gallon.

Do not sign up for store cards in order to save money on a purchase. Often times, the amount you will pay for annual fees, interest or other charges, will easily be more than any savings you will get at the register that day. Avoid the trap, by just saying no in the first place.

Do not use your credit cards to pay for gas, clothes or groceries. You will find that some gas stations will charge more for the gas, if you choose to pay with a credit card. It’s also not a good idea to use cards for these items because these items are things you need often. Using your cards to pay for them can get you into a bad habit.

Keep one low-limit card in your wallet for emergency expenses only. All other cards should be kept at home, to avoid impulse buys that you can’t really afford. If you need a card for a large purchase, you will have to knowingly get it from your home and take it with you. This will give you extra time to think about what you are buying.

Pay close attention to all of the interest rates on your credit cards. Many cards charge you different rates depending on the type of transaction you execute. Cash advances and balance transfers commonly command a higher rate than ordinary purchases. You must keep this in mind before you begin shifting money on and off various cards.

Your oldest credit card is the one that affects your credit report the most. Do not close this account unless the cost of keeping it open is too high. If you are paying an annual fee, ridiculous interest rates, or something similar, then close the account. Otherwise, keep that one open, as it can be the most beneficial to your credit score.

Be aware that you can still have a credit card, even if your credit is not up to par. There are basically two choices to pick from. You could either get yourself a secured card or sign up to be an authorized user on the credit card of a family member or partner.

Be sure you have the self-control before beginning to make use of a credit card. Some people tend to spend more than what they can pay for. These people shouldn’t have credit cards. When they open an account, they’re opening up the possibility of extreme financial hardship.

Try your best to use a prepaid credit card when you are making online transactions. This will help so that you do not have to worry about any thieves accessing your real credit card information. It will be much easier to bounce back if you are scammed in this type of situation.

Try not to use credit cards for everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, and clothing. These are things you will most likely need again, before you can pay the balance off. You will end up with a pile of credit card debt that will keep on growing. When you need these types of items, leave your credit cards at home.

Bring two credit cards when you travel, especially overseas. Keep your financial options open by having cards that are issued by different banks. If one card is not accepted, it is unlikely that another card from the same institution will be. If you have two different companies for each card, you will be able to solve more problems.

Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, you are better prepared to handle your credit cards. It’s not possible for us to be overly careful when it comes to our credit cards or spending habits, and we frequently don’t realize the problem until it’s too late! Reasonable credit card use will increase your credit score while giving you more spending power.