Credit cards have almost become naughty words in our society today. Our dependence on them is not good. Many people don’t feel as though they could live without them. Others know that the credit history that they build is essential, in order to have many of the things we take for granted such as a car or a home. This article will help educate you about their proper usage.
Make friends with your credit card issuer. Most major credit card issuers have a Facebook page. They might offer perks for those that “friend” them. They also use the forum to address customer complaints, so it is to your advantage to add your credit card company to your friend list. This applies, even if you don’t like them very much!
Credit cards should always be kept below a specific amount. This total depends on the amount of income your family has, but most experts agree that you should not be using more than ten percent of your cards total at any time. This helps insure you don’t get in over your head.
An important aspect of smart credit card usage is to pay the entire outstanding balance, each and every month, whenever possible. By keeping your usage percentage low, you will help keep your overall credit score high, as well as, keep a substantial amount of available credit open for use in case of emergencies.
Before you decide on a new credit card, be careful to read the fine print. Credit card companies have been in business for many years now, and know of ways to make more money at your expense. Be sure to read the contract in full, before signing to be sure that you are not agreeing to something that will harm you in the future.
Any time you receive emails or physical mail regarding your credit card, open them immediately. Credit card providers can make changes to their fees and interest rates provided that they give you a written notice of their changes. If the terms are not ones that work for you, cancelling the card is an option.
If you are seeking a new card you should only consider those that have interest rates that are not very large and no annual fees. Since so many cards do not charge an annual fee, it is a waste of your money to pay annual fees.
When dealing with a credit card, make sure you’re always paying attention so that various term changes don’t catch you by surprise. It is not uncommon for issuers to change terms and conditions with relative frequency. It may be intimidating to read all of that fine print, but it is well worth your effort. Make sure you read everything so you know what to expect as far as rates and fees are concerned.
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.
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.
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.
It goes without saying, perhaps, but always pay your credit cards on time. To be able to follow this simple rule, do not charge more than you afford to pay in cash. Credit card debt can quickly balloon out of control, especially, if the card carries a high interest rate. Otherwise, you will find that you cannot follow the simple rule of paying on time.
Every time you use a credit card, think about the extra expense that it will incur if you don’t pay it off immediately. Remember, the price of an item can quickly double if you use credit without paying for it quickly. If you keep this in mind, you are more likely to pay off your credit quickly.
Having a good understanding of how to properly use credit cards, in order to get ahead in life, rather than to hold yourself back, is crucial. This is something that most people lack. This article has shown you the easy ways that you can get sucked in to overspending. You should now know how to build up your credit by using your credit cards in a responsible way.
