The Right Way Of Using Credit Cards

By Marian Scott


With all of the credit card horror stories out there, it is no wonder that some people are afraid of credit cards. There is no reason to fear owning a credit card. They help to build your financial history and credit score, making it easier for you to get loans and low interest rates. The following article contains some valuable credit card advice.

Make sure you can afford everything you buy with a credit card. It's fine to use credit cards to stretch out the payments for an item you can afford, but refrain from making a major purchase that you couldn't afford otherwise.

By keeping track of all your credit card purchases, this will help you from spending more money than you can actually afford. It is quite easy to lose track of what you are using your credit card for, so you should commit yourself to keeping track of all of these expenditures in either a small business accounting software or on a spreadsheet.

Review the specific terms of the offer. We have all been pre-approved for one card or another, but it's important to understand all of the specifics about that card before accepting it. Always be aware of what your interest rates are, as well as the amount of time you have to pay those rates. Finding out about these details, including other details like grace periods and add-on fees, will help you stay out in front of your payments.

Always pay your bills well before the due date, as this is a big part of maintaining your high credit score. A payment that you make too late, will lower your credit score, while costing you a lot of money. You can save time and money by establishing automatic payments through your bank or credit card company.

Create a spending budget for your credit cards. Most people use a budget for their income, so budgetting your credit card is a great idea too. You don't want to get into the habit of thinking of credit cards as extra money. Set aside a specific amount that you can safely spend on a card every month. Do not spend more than that, and at the end of the month, pay it off.

Keep a close eye on your balance. Be sure you know your card's limit before making purchases. If you do happen to go over your credit limit, the creditor will impose fees. Try contacting your credit card company for an increased limit if you consistently go over your current limit.

Be sure that you fully understand the terms of the credit card prior to signing up for it. Certain credit card companies have hidden fees and special requirements that must be met before benefits apply. Read each word in the fine print so that you completely understand their policy.

Carefully consider all the fees associated with a particular card. The interest rate and APR are important, but be mindful of all the fees that come with a card. Application fees, cash advance fees and service charges are sometimes involved that make having the credit card less worthwhile.

Don't have any new credit cards sent to you if you have a mailbox that is not locked at all times. Many people that steal credit cards have admitted that they have stolen cards that were delivered and placed in mailboxes that did not have a lock on them.

Anyone who is scared to use their credit card should feel better after reading this article. Credit cards can be a useful tool when used correctly, and should not be feared. Just keep the given advice in mind and you should be fine.




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