How To Know What Your Credit Card Finance Charges Are
Having a credit card makes it easier for people to build good credit histories and take care of their finances. Helping your credit score is just one of the many benefits of a properly handled credit card. Below, you will find some great tips on using charge cards and using them wisely.
Know what interest rate your card has. Before signing up for any card, knowing the interest rate is crucial. You may end up paying a lot more than you planned on if you are unaware of what you are being charged. This may result in your inablilty to pay off your bank cards monthly.
Pay 100% of your credit card bill each month if you can afford it. Ideally, charge cards are only for convenience and should be paid completely at the end of a billing cycle. The credit usage builds a good history and by not carrying a balance, you will not pay finance fees.
Make a realistic budget to hold yourself to. Just because you are allowed a certain limit on spending with your credit cards doesn’t mean that you need to actually spend that much every month. Avoid interest payments by knowing what you can afford and paying off your card every month.
Never use passwords or pin codes on bank cards that are easy to figure out. It’s a bad idea to use a common password like a middle name or phone number since people could guess these.
Have a running list with credit card account numbers and lender’s emergency contact phone numbers. Secure the list in a spot away from the cards themselves. This list ensures that you can contact your creditors promptly if your wallet and cards are lost or stolen.
If you are trying to rebuild damaged credit, using secured charge cards is a good idea. These cards require a collateral, which is the balance. You basically borrow money from yourself, although you have to pay interest on the loan, too. This may not be an ideal situation, but it might be one of the only ways that will help you repair your credit. When getting a secured credit card you should only deal with companies that are well known. They may offer you an unsecured card later, which will help your score even more.
Interest Rate
Cut a deal on the interest rate you pay. It is possible to get yourself a new, lowered interest rate. If your payments have always been timely and you have been a solid customer, you stand a good chance of being granted a reduced APR.
Try to avoid credit card providers who charge an annual fee. People who have a healthy credit score are more likely to get these types of cards. Most often, such fees counteract the perks a card may have. Calculate it for yourself. Credit cards don’t tout annual fees, as they’re regularly found in small fine print. Place those reading glasses on. See if the fees outweigh the benefits. Many times the fees do not outweigh the benefits, so consider carefully.
If you are paying a higher annual percentage rate (APR) on your bank cards, but have good credit, call your credit card company and ask if they will lower it. Depending on your previous relationship with the company, they just might agree to a better rate. This results in real savings in the months you carry balances.
Debit Card
Always try to use your debit card before your credit card. A great way to help you remember to do this is to put your debit card in a very noticeable space in your wallet, while hiding your credit card further back. You will find that in the case that you are in a hurry or are less attentive, you will be using your debit card as opposed to making an unintended charge on your credit card.
As was mentioned earlier, credit cards can be a great tool for managing finances. You need to understand each card’s terms and benefits in order to make informed choices for yourself. Grasping the fundamental information about credit cards can assist consumers in making smart credit choices, too.