Credit Card Tips And Tricks To Stay Safe

There are people afraid of using a credit card because of the myriad of problems they can present. Don't be afraid of a credit card, just commit to using it wisely. They are often convenient ways of purchasing items and reduce the need to carry cash. Read on to find tips and advice for using your credit cards in an educated and beneficial way.

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When making purchases with your credit cards you should stick to buying items that you need instead of buying those that you want. Buying luxury items with credit cards is one of the easiest ways to get into debt. If it is something that you can live without you should avoid charging it.

 

Don't fall for the introductory rates on credit cards when opening a new one. Be sure to ask the creditor what the rate will go up to after, the introductory rate expires. Sometimes, the APR can go up to 20-30% on some cards, an interest rate you definitely don't want to be paying once your introductory rate goes away.

 

Practice sound financial management by only charging purchases that you know you will be able to pay off. Credit cards can be a quick and dangerous way to rack up large amounts of debt that you may not be able to pay off. Don't use them to live off of, if you are unable to come up with the funds to do so.

 

Make sure that you pore over your credit card statement each and every month, to make sure that every single charge on your bill has been authorized by you. Many people fail to do this and it is much harder to fight fraudulent charges after a lot of time has passed.

 

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.

 

It is good practice to check your credit card transactions with your online account to make sure they match up correctly. You do not want to be charged for something you didn't buy. This is also a great way to check for identity theft or if your card is being used without your knowledge.

 

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.

 

The advice you have found here should prove beneficial in helping you to get over any fears surrounding credit card usage. Credit can be very helpful when used in the proper way, so it is unnecessary to fear it. Just remember the advice written here and you'll be fine.