Just ask yourself: is the credit card work for me or am I working for the credit card? Most people’s reply 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.

But this is not an anti credit card campaign. They have their plus points – in America, for example, if you want to rent a vehicle, you have got to have a (major) credit card. But, think about this scenario:

You get an offer in the post that sounds great, maybe 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 product 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!

Does it sound scary? Well, it doesn’t have to be. The moral of the story is to use the credit card very, very carefully.

Credit Cards Dos and Don’ts

There is a lot of truth in the advice 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 do good to remember the following too:

Dos.

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

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

3] Unless it is an emergency, staying within your credit limits will help you a lot. If you must spend over the limit, ensure you are within manageable levels, say within 30 percent.

4] If your mailbox is full of information on credit cards with more favourable deals than you currently are enjoying, you could approach your issuer for a better deal. They want to keep you as their customer, so they will listen.

Don’ts

1] Do not use your credit card to make household purchases. It’s 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 buy things you can’t afford.

If you are considering changing or applying for a Credit Card, check out the free advice on our website about using Credit Cards wisely. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.

Almost everyone over the age of consent (18 or 21) has or wants a credit card nowadays and they are accepted in almost every establishment. There are three main sorts of credit card in use in America. The first major sort of credit card is travel and entertainment cards such as American Express or Diners Card. These have to be paid in full at the end of the month and are liberal on spending limits.

The second major type of credit card is the bank card such as Visa, Master Cards, GM, and Ford cards sponsored mainly by the banks. The bank defines the spending limit, which in bank parlance, is known as the credit line and each bank offers different terms and conditions. Banks offer a selection of payment methods: you may either pay the balance in full with no interest charges or pay the minimum or some part of the balance with a finance charge.

The other major kind of card is the retail store card, such as Sears, J.C. Penney, Shell or Mobil. These store cards and the ones from gas companies, which are known as fuel cards, are only accepted in specific countries. They usually do not have annual fees. There is a wide variance in the terms and conditions for these cards.

Different kinds of credit cards offer different options. Some are designed for individual consumers, while others are set up in ways that work best for small business needs. To know what kind of credit card fits your needs, you should review a few options.

How to Select a Credit Card.

Credit cards are a part of everyday living for most people living in the west. It’s becoming increasingly impossible to avoid them, especially for business men. So, if it is the first time you are about to enter into the realm of credit cards, here are some of the basics you ought to look out for.

First, compare the interest charged on all the credit cards you are interested in. While the rate may not stay fixed for ever, it’s always best for novices to apply for the one charging the least interest.

Make sure you read the fine print carefully, especially regarding the other charges that may be made, like late-payment fees, annual fees, and whether there is a grace period.

You should decide what spending limit is most appropriate for someone on your income level. Furthermore, the fewer credit cards you use, the better placed you will be to track your spending pattern.

You ought to compare the services such as the cash back incentives, guarantees, rebates and such like and check whether the card is accepted broadly enough to fit in with your needs.

You should acquaint yourself with the following terms: 1] Annual Percentage Rate: this is the yearly cost of the credit. 2] Finance Charges: these are the total charges involving the transaction. 3] Period of Grace: This is the period of time the card issuer allows you before they begin charging you interest on your purchases. (Not all credit card issuers allow a grace period).