| The following tips are basic principles
| |
| | worth your time to read them.
|
| about obtaining and using credit cards
| |
| | 5. Ask for a Better Rate - Once you have
|
| that can save you some serious cash and
| |
| | been a credit card customer for a few
|
| keep you out of debt.
| |
| | months call them and ask for a better
|
| 10. Have at Least One Credit Card for
| |
| | rate. They won't laugh at you, they get
|
| Emergencies - While we highly recommend
| |
| | hundreds of these calls every day and if
|
| having a rainy day fund for emergencies
| |
| | you've been a good customer it usually
|
| rather than relying strictly on credit
| |
| | will work. Credit card companies work
|
| cards, having a credit card with a low
| |
| | hard to obtain you as a customer and they
|
| interest rate "just incase" is a good
| |
| | will work hard to retain you.
|
| idea.
| |
| | 4. Pay Off Full Balance Every Month - All
|
| 9. Rewards are not so Rewarding - Rewards
| |
| | credit cards have high interest rates
|
| can be a good thing, but only if used
| |
| | compared to other types of loans. You
|
| correctly. Rewards cards typically have a
| |
| | should never plan to carry a balance on a
|
| higher interest rate than regular credit
| |
| | credit card. If you must make a large
|
| cards, with the value of the rewards
| |
| | purchase that you do not have the money
|
| justifying the extra expense. The rewards
| |
| | for at the time, obtain a loan or a
|
| are not usually as valuable as you may
| |
| | revolving line of credit from your bank.
|
| think. Typically the value of the reward
| |
| | You will save a bundle on interest rates.
|
| is around 1 cent per dollar charged and
| |
| | 3. Work with Retention Department - If
|
| often the rewards expire at the end of
| |
| | you ever feel you are being treated
|
| the year if you don't use them. If you
| |
| | unjustly by your credit card issuer, a
|
| pay off your balance in full each month
| |
| | simple threat to leave will get you
|
| and charge a lot they can be worth while,
| |
| | transferred to the retention department.
|
| otherwise you're better off with a
| |
| | This department will be MUCH more helpful
|
| non-rewards card.
| |
| | to you and will usually do whatever it
|
| 8. Have Two Credit Cards - If you do plan
| |
| | takes within reason to get you to stay.
|
| to take advantage of rewards, we
| |
| | 2. Do not get a Cash Advance - This is
|
| recommend you carry two credit cards. The
| |
| | the second worse thing you can do with a
|
| rewards card for making your daily
| |
| | credit card, short of missing a payment
|
| expenses that you will pay off in full
| |
| | is getting a cash advance. The cash
|
| each month and a second card with the
| |
| | advances usually come with a very high
|
| lowest possible interest rate to cover
| |
| | interest rate. What makes it worse is the
|
| any emergency expenses when you won't be
| |
| | fact that with most companies this higher
|
| able to pay off the balance in full by
| |
| | rate credit will not get paid off first,
|
| the end of the month.
| |
| | or even in the order that you took it
|
| 7. Shop Around - Don't apply for the
| |
| | out. They will apply your payments
|
| first "pre-approved" offer you receive in
| |
| | towards all the lower rate purchases and
|
| the mail or any for that matter. Do the
| |
| | will only begin paying off your high
|
| research for yourself. There are plenty
| |
| | interest cash advance will all other
|
| of sites such as that allow you to
| |
| | items on that credit card have been paid
|
| compare hundreds of credit card offers
| |
| | off.
|
| with a simple search. You'll get the best
| |
| | 1. Never, EVER Miss a Payment - This is
|
| deal by shopping around.
| |
| | the absolute worse thing you can do with
|
| 6. Read the Terms - The terms and
| |
| | a credit card. Not only will you incur a
|
| conditions are the equivalent of the
| |
| | late fee, but your interest rate will
|
| disclaimer you hear on car lot
| |
| | also skyrocket. In addition it will be a
|
| commercials. It cuts through the hype and
| |
| | negative blemish on your credit report
|
| reveals the true terms of the credit card
| |
| | which can cause the rate on any other
|
| such as what happens when you miss a
| |
| | loans or credit cards you have to
|
| payment and what you're really getting
| |
| | increase as well as insurance rates. It
|
| from the rewards. Most terms are not that
| |
| | also makes you less likely to get
|
| long, usually around one full page, it's
| |
| | approved for future credit.
|
