Owning a credit card has many advantages. For example, you can use a credit card to buy goods online. Unfortunately, when you apply for a new credit card, there are a few thing that you should always keep in mind. Here are some tips that will make obtaining and using a credit card, easy.
If you are in the market for a secured credit card, it is very important that you pay close attention to the fees that are associated with the account, as well as, whether they report to the major credit bureaus. If they do not report, then it is no use having that specific card.
If you find that you have spent more on your credit cards than you can repay, seek help to manage your credit card debt. It is easy to get carried away, especially around the holidays, and spend more than you intended. There are many credit card consumer organizations, that can help get you back on track.
Make the minimum monthly payment in the very least on all of your credit cards. Not making the minimum payment on time can cost you a great deal of money over time. It can also cause harm to your credit rating. To protect both your expenses, and your credit rating be sure to make minimum payments on time each month.
In order to minimize your credit card debt expenditures, review your outstanding credit card balances and establish which should be paid off first. A good way to save more money in the long run is to pay off the balances of cards with the highest interest rates. You’ll save more in the long term because you will not have to pay the higher interest for a longer period of time.
Keep your receipts from all online purchases. Keep the receipt until your bill comes in and verify all charges. If the amount is not correct, contact the vender and dispute the charge immediately. Having the receipt on hand will make any disputes much easier to resolve.
It may seem unnecessary to many people, but be sure to save receipts for the purchases that you make on your credit card. Take the time each month to be sure that the receipts match up to your credit card statement. It will help you manage your charges, as well as, help you catch unjust charges.
The credit card that you use to make purchases is very important and you should try to use one that has a very small limit. This is good because it will limit the amount of funds that a thief will have access to.
Make sure you save your statements. Before you file them away, pay close attention to what is on them as well. If you see a charge that shouldn’t be on there, dispute the charge. All credit card companies have dispute procedures in place to assist you with fraudulent charges that may occur.
Try to reduce your interest rate. Call your credit card company, and request that this be done. Before you call, be sure you know how long you have had the credit card, your overall payment record, and your credit score. If all of these show positively on you as a good customer, then use them as leverage to get that rate lowered.
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.
If your credit cards have an interest rate that is higher than you feel comfortable with, talk to the company to see if it can be reduced. Often, they will agree. This allows you to save lots of money each month that you carry a balance.
Go through old credit cards that you don’t use anymore and consider closing them. Closing unused accounts will protect you from fraud. You can also close an account that you no longer want to use, even if there is a balance on the account. You can simply keep making payments until you get rid of the outstanding balance.
Sometimes, people get excited about certain rewards programs, and they make a hasty decision to go with that particular company. First of all, check the fine print. Second of all, make sure you know what else is out there, before you jump into a relationship with a credit card company.
Transferring a balance from one credit card to another is nothing to shy away from, especially if it allows you to get more favorable interest rates and fees. If the rates and fees are essentially the same, pay off the one with the most perks first. It is important however, that you do the appropriate accounting first.
You have to keep in mind that having credit cards is a privilege that is not extended to everyone. Being responsible with your cards helps your credit score, while acting irresponsibly can lead to financial disaster. Responsible users track their charges and pay on time.
Sign up for alerts from your credit card company. Most companies offer them and they can be conveniently sent via email or text. These alerts let you know when you are nearing your credit card limit, when you are close to the due date for your payment or even, when suspected fraudulent activities have occurred. They can really help you to manage your credit effectively.
As previously stated, owning a credit card or two has many advantages. By applying some of the advice contained in the tips featured above, you can be sure that using a credit card doesn’t end up costing you a lot of money. Furthermore, some of the tips could help you to, actually, make some extra money when you use a credit card.