… tip No. 33 of 241
Never let anyone else use a credit card that is in your name. No matter who it is, it is never a good idea. This can lead to excessive charges, over the limit fees, and other problems if your friend happens to charge more than they should.
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 copy of chapter 13 discharge it from your home and take it with you. This will give you extra time to think about what you are buying.
Keep track of how much money you are spending when using a credit card. Small, incidental purchases can add up quickly, and it is important to know how much you have spend on them, so you can understand how to get copy of chapter 13 bankruptcy papers much you owe. You can keep track with a check register, spreadsheet program, or even with an online option offered by many credit card companies.
Look into whether a balance transfer will benefit you. Yes, balance transfers can be very tempting. The rates and deferred interest often offered by credit card companies are typically substantial. But if it is a large sum of money you are considering transferring, then the high interest rate normally tacked onto the back end of the transfer may mean that you actually pay more over time than if you had kept your balance where it was. Do the math before jumping in.
Many people say that selecting the right credit card is a difficult and laborious endeavor. However, it is much easier to pick the right credit card if you are equipped with the right advice and information. This article provides several tips to help you make the right credit card decision.
To help you get the maximum value from your credit card, choose a card which provides rewards based on the amount of money you spend. Many credit card rewards programs will give you up to two percent of your spending back as rewards which can make your purchases much more economical.
You may have avoided credit cards because you have heard that they can get people into trouble or that responsible financial management means never using a credit card. However, if you use credit cards properly, you can boost your credit score, so you don’t want to avoid credit cards out of fear. Read on to learn how to get copy of chapter 13 bankruptcy papers to use credit cards appropriately.
Never apply for more credit cards than you actually need. It’s true that you need a few credit cards to help build your credit, but there is a point at which the amount of credit cards you have is actually detrimental to your credit score. Be mindful to find that happy medium.
A great way to save money on credit cards is to spend the time necessary to comparison shop for cards that offer the most advantageous terms. If you have a decent credit history, it is highly likely that you can obtain cards with no annual fee, low interest rates and perhaps, even incentives such as airline miles.
Do not write you password or pin number down at any time. The safest place for this information is in your memory, where nobody else can access it. If you write down a PIN or password, especially if you put it in your wallet with your card, anyone can access it.
When you are looking over all of the rate and fee information for your credit card make sure that you know which ones are permanent and which ones may be part of a promotion. You do not want to make the mistake of going for a card with very low rates and then they balloon shortly after.
If you are purchasing something at a retail location with a credit card, make sure that you never leave any spaces on the receipt blank. Having a blank space on your receipt is literally leaving space for someone to add an amount where you don’t want it. Be sure to mark through the space with a straight line. You should also always check your statement against your receipts every month to ensure they match up.
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.
Most people would agree that credit cards have a useful role to play in everyday personal finances. The important thing to understand is that along with the convenience they can offer, comes the necessity of adhering to strict principles of appropriate usage. The tips and guidance contained in this article can provide an important framework for the wise management of your personal finances.
You may want to consider using layaway, instead of credit cards during the holiday season. Credit cards traditionally, will cause you to incur a higher expense than layaway fees. This way, you will only spend what you can actually afford during the holidays. Making interest payments over a year on your holiday shopping will end up costing you far more than you may realize.