Ac Credit Card Warning

Just ask yourself: is the credit card work for me or am I working for the credit card? Most people’s answer to this question will depend on how they use their “plastic friend” as credit cards are sometimes known. As many people with huge credit card debts will tell you, they didn’t realize that things were so bad until too late, because most credit card companies try so hard to make themselves seem like a charity. Well, take it from me, they aren’t.

And this is not a hate campaign against credit cards. They have their benefits – in the USA if you want to rent a car, you have got to have a (major) credit card. But, consider this scenario:

You get an offer in the post that sounds great, perhaps it’s a new TV or fridge. But it costs $2,000. You have a credit card with a $5,000 limit, so you go out and purchase the item right away. Often, this is how your repayment schedule will work out. Most credit cards charge a minimum percentage of the total balance (typically 2 percent) per month. Assuming the interest rate is 18 percent and you choose to repay the minimum amount of $40, $30 of that will go towards interest and only $10 will come off the $2,000!

Sounds scary? It doesn’t have to be. The moral of the illustration is to use the credit card very, very carefully.

Credit Cards Dos and Don’ts

There is a great deal of truth in the saying that credit cards are not a substitute for not having money. Every time you use a credit card this should be the theme song playing in your mind. Moreover, you would be wise to remember the following as well:

Dos.

1] Always plan for the purchases that you have to have and those that you only want. You need the essentials, but you only want everything else. The ability to differentiate could assist you plan more wisely.

2] If you are caught up in financial difficulties, it’s always a good idea to talk to the credit card supplier who might adjust your repayments. If you just default, that only builds up a bad credit history for you and you could find yourself being refused credit in the future.

3] Unless it is an emergency, staying within your credit limits will assist you a lot. If you have to spend over the credit card limit, keep within manageable levels, say within 30 percent.

4] If your letterbox is full to the brim with details on credit cards that have better offers than you are currently receiving, you can always approach your issuer for a better deal. They want to keep your business, so they will hear you out.

Dont’s

1] Do not use your credit card to purchase household items. It is very expensive in the long run.

2] Do not only pay the minimum amount necessary. You will end up paying exorbitant amounts of interest. The more quickly you can pay off the debt the better.

3] Never use the credit card to purchase items you can’t afford without the credit card.

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