Compost Manure

Ask yourself: does the credit card work for you or do you work for your credit card? Most people’s reply to that question will depend on how they treat their “plastic friend” as credit cards are often known. As many people with burned fingers will tell you, they didn’t realize that things had gotten so bad until very late, because most credit card offers try so much to sound like they are actually running a charity. Well, they aren’t.

But this is not an anti credit card campaign. They have their benefits – in the USA, for example, 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 mail that sounds great, perhaps it’s a new television or refrigerator. 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 remaining balance (usually 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 you borrowed!

Does it sound worrying? Well, it doesn’t need to be. The moral of the tale is to use the credit card very, very carefully.

Credit Cards Dos and Don’ts

There is a lot 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 replaying in your mind. And you would do good to remember the following too:

Dos.

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

2] If caught up in financial difficulties, it’s always good to talk to the credit card issuer who might adjust your payments. If you simply default, that only helps to build up a bad credit history and you might find yourself being denied credit next time.

3] Unless it is an emergency, remaining within your credit limits will assist you a great deal. 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 deals than you are currently receiving, you can always approach your issuer for a better deal. They want to retain your business, so they will hear you out.

Don’ts

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

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

3] Never use the credit card to purchase items you can’t afford.

If you are considering swapping or getting a Credit Card, have a look at the free advice on our web site about using Credit Cards wisely. This and other unique content ” articles are available with free reprint rights.