Would you like to know a little more about how to use credit, but are scared to ask? This article is prepared to teach anyone a little more about proper credit usage and inform all consumers about common credit issues that they may face. Continue reading to learn more good credit card information.
When you are unable to pay off one of your credit cards, then the best policy is to contact the credit card company. Letting it just go to collections is bad for your credit score. You will find that most companies will let you pay it off in smaller amounts, as long as you don’t keep avoiding them.
Avoiding late charges is important, but you also want to avoid going over your limit because you will be charged for that as well. Both are costly, but you will pay not only the fees tied to these mistakes, but your credit score will dip as well. Watch your spending so you don’t exceed the credit limit.
Do not use one credit card to pay off the amount owed on another until you check and see which one has the lowest rate. While this is never considered the best thing to do financially, you can occasionally do this to make sure you are not risking getting further into debt.
Make your credit card payments in a timely manner. Every credit account has a due date, which triggers a late fee if you have not yet made your payment. Additionally, most companies will increase the interest rate on your credit card, which means an increase in the cost of every purchase you put on that card thereafter.
There are many cards that offer rewards just for getting a credit card with them. While this should not solely make your decision for you, do pay attention to these types of offers. I’m sure you would much rather have a card that gives you cash back than a card that doesn’t if all other terms are close to being the same.
Do not use credit cards to purchase things you could not afford. Wanting a new TV or game console is not a good reason to put it on a credit card. If you can’t pay off the balance right of way, you will risk not being able to make your monthly payments and owing quite a bit of interest. Leave the store, think over it for a day or so, and then make your decision. If it is still something you wish to purchase, check with the store, as their in-house financing may offer lower interest than your credit card.
Avoid using public computers to buy items with your credit card. Your credit information may be stored in these computers. Public computers are often found in coffee shops and public libraries. Typing sensitive account information on a public computer invites trouble. When you are making purchases only do so from your own personal home computer.
It is important to always review the charges, and credits that have posted to your credit card account. Whether you choose to verify your account activity online, by reading paper statements, or making certain that all charges and payments are reflected accurately, you can avoid costly errors or unnecessary battles with the card issuer.
If you cannot pay your entire credit card bill each month, you should definitely keep your available credit limit above 50% after each billing cycle. Having a good credit to debt ratio is an important part of your credit score. Make sure that your credit card is not constantly near its limit.
Verify all fees and charges associated with a potential credit card, rather than just the APR and interest rates. These additional fees may include charges for cash advances and service charges. Work the numbers to ensure that you select the right card for your needs.
Don’t place your credit card number on anything that is visible to the public. This includes on the backs of postcards, on the outside of envelopes, and on publicly visible (and unsecure) areas of social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Sharing your information on mail or on social media can lead to serious credit theft.
When deciding which credit card is best for you, be sure to take its reward program into consideration. For example, some companies may offer travel assistance or roadside protection, which could come in handy at some point. Inquire about the details of the reward program prior to committing to a card.
Close the account for any credit cards you know you will not be using. Open accounts may be a target for identity theft. You could be charged fees if you are holding a card you don’t use.
Frequent flier rewards and bonuses are something to take advantage of if the card you have offers these types of benefits. Read all the documentation thoroughly. There could be a lot of blackout dates, which makes the reward practically useless. It’s not uncommon for a company to make these things confusing on purpose. The underlying truth is that they would prefer that you did not access the rewards you earn. They are just trying to get you to apply.
Never use a credit card to make a credit card payment. Some card holders get cash advances, thinking they will be able to pay emergency bills with it. This trick is a losing game, though. The fees and interest rates that stack up through this procedure can rapidly become crippling, turning a short-term credit crunch into a perpetual one.
This article has taught you some useful strategies for using credit properly. You should also feel better about making purchases or paying bills with your card.
