Credit cards are one of the best financial tools you can have, but they can also be dangerous and leave you with lots of debt. If you are thinking about getting a credit card, then it important that you know the downsides as well as the benefits. This will help you to use your credit card more wisely and avoid getting into debt. Here is some advice what a credit card cannot do for you.
It cannot make you richer
Although having a credit card will improve your cash flow and financial independence, it does not make you richer. Many people who get into credit card debt do so because they see their credit limit as their own money. In fact, that credit limit is simply the amount that you can borrow from your card issuer. Instead of making you richer, every time you spend on your card you are pushing yourself into debt. The only way to stay out of this debt is to make sure you can afford to pay back what you spend.
It cannot stop your debt problems
Many people get hold of credit cards because they think a credit card will help them solve their current debt problems. If you are spending more than your income then using a credit card is not a good idea. Credit cards are an expensive form of borrowing, and charging things to a card will delay your problems and put you further into debt. If you are having problems with debt then consult a debt counsellor who can help you find the best way to manage your problems.
It cannot save you money
Although credit cards are a great convenience and can help you to buy purchases beyond your immediate means, credit cards don’t usually save you money. For example, if you decide to buy something on credit in the sale and pay for it over time, the interest payments will usually cost you more than the saving you made on the item. Credit cards usually cost you money rather than save you money. Also, the interest that you pay and the fees that you are subject to outweigh the rewards that you are usually offered on credit cards.
So why get credit cards?
Although credit cards can put you into debt and can be dangerous, if you are sensible and know about the risks they can be of great use. Credit cards are much more secure than using cash or cheques, and allow you to shop online where you really can save money. Also, carrying around a card is a lot more convenient than carrying around large sums of money, especially if you are travelling abroad. Furthermore, a credit card allows you to buy items that you can afford, just not all in one go. Although saving up for expensive items is more sensible, this is not always possible and credit cards allow you more freedom to spend. If you can try and pay the balance off in full each month, then you will get the most out of your credit card and avoid the things that credit cards cannot help you with.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
When Not To Use A Credit Card
Credit cards are a great convenience in our everyday lives, allowing us to easily buy products online and by telephone, and freeing us from having to carry large amounts of cash when making purchases in the bricks and mortar world. However, there's a potential dark side to plastic, with some unfortunate account holders getting out of their depth and building up debts that become a problem and cause of worry.
This is obviously a situation that's best avoided, and knowing when it's a bad idea to use your card can help you avoid getting into difficulty.
- Withdrawing cash at ATMs
Most cash machines these days will let you draw out cash using your credit card. This might seem an attractive option if you're short of cash towards the end of the month, but it's a bad idea for two reasons. Firstly, cash withdrawals will attract a fee of a small percentage of the amount you withdraw. This in itself makes it an expensive way of getting your hands on cash, but advances are also usually charged at a much higher rate of interest than purchases.
What's more, under a system known as 'allocation of payments', the repayments you make to your account are applied first to the parts of your debt which attract the lowest rate of interest. This means that so long as you are carrying some debt from purchases, your cash withdrawals will sit in the background, being charged a high rate of interest, and never getting any smaller.
- Credit card checks
These allow you to use your credit cards in situations where you normally can't, such as paying a bill by post. However, the interest rate charged on them can be as high or even higher than with cash withdrawals. This means you should avoid them for the same reasons, as given above.
- Covering the cost of everyday bills
Paying your energy bills, for example, using your card is convenient and easy, but is only a good idea if you repay the debt in your next payment. If you're using your card because you can't afford to pay the bill, this is a clear sign that you need to take a harder look at your personal budget.
- Expensive impulse purchases
Of course, we all like to treat ourselves from time to time, and no one would begrudge that. However, before handing over your card, bear in mind that the interest you'll pay over the months it takes to repay the debt will make your impulse buy much more expensive than it appears. Is it still worth it?
- To make repayments on other debt
Credit cards aren't usually the cheapest kind of borrowing available, so you should never use your card to service another, cheaper debt. The only exception to this is if you make use of a balance transfer facility, either to get a 0% rate for a limited number of months, or to lock in a permanently low rate.
As we can see, most of the above advice is simply common sense, but following these rules will give you the best chance of staying in control of your credit card, and avoiding running up unneccessary or excessive debts.
This is obviously a situation that's best avoided, and knowing when it's a bad idea to use your card can help you avoid getting into difficulty.
- Withdrawing cash at ATMs
Most cash machines these days will let you draw out cash using your credit card. This might seem an attractive option if you're short of cash towards the end of the month, but it's a bad idea for two reasons. Firstly, cash withdrawals will attract a fee of a small percentage of the amount you withdraw. This in itself makes it an expensive way of getting your hands on cash, but advances are also usually charged at a much higher rate of interest than purchases.
What's more, under a system known as 'allocation of payments', the repayments you make to your account are applied first to the parts of your debt which attract the lowest rate of interest. This means that so long as you are carrying some debt from purchases, your cash withdrawals will sit in the background, being charged a high rate of interest, and never getting any smaller.
- Credit card checks
These allow you to use your credit cards in situations where you normally can't, such as paying a bill by post. However, the interest rate charged on them can be as high or even higher than with cash withdrawals. This means you should avoid them for the same reasons, as given above.
- Covering the cost of everyday bills
Paying your energy bills, for example, using your card is convenient and easy, but is only a good idea if you repay the debt in your next payment. If you're using your card because you can't afford to pay the bill, this is a clear sign that you need to take a harder look at your personal budget.
- Expensive impulse purchases
Of course, we all like to treat ourselves from time to time, and no one would begrudge that. However, before handing over your card, bear in mind that the interest you'll pay over the months it takes to repay the debt will make your impulse buy much more expensive than it appears. Is it still worth it?
- To make repayments on other debt
Credit cards aren't usually the cheapest kind of borrowing available, so you should never use your card to service another, cheaper debt. The only exception to this is if you make use of a balance transfer facility, either to get a 0% rate for a limited number of months, or to lock in a permanently low rate.
As we can see, most of the above advice is simply common sense, but following these rules will give you the best chance of staying in control of your credit card, and avoiding running up unneccessary or excessive debts.
Monday, November 20, 2006
How To Use Credit Card
Although credit cards can be an invaluable financial asset, unless you use them wisely you will find yourself drowning in debt. However, if you use your credit card wisely then you can save yourself money and be able to purchase the items that you could not afford in one lump sum on your current wages. Here are some tips about how to use your credit card wisely.
Building a credit history
One of the best ways to use your credit card wisely is to use your card to build up your credit history. People who borrow and pay back the money responsibly have a much better credit history than those who never borrow at all. If you spend money on your credit card and then pay it back quickly, you will be seen as a good borrower and you will get better deals on other financial products like loans and mortgages.
Paying off your balance
Another sensible way to use your credit card is to only charge to your card what you can afford to pay back each month. Although this is not always possible because of large purchases or unexpected expenditures, you should generally try to budget to pay all or most of your balance back each month. If you can pay back your balance in full each month then you won’t be subject to the high interest rates of your card. However, even if you can’t pay back the whole amount, make sure you pay back more than the minimum payment. Paying only the minimum will leave you wasting money on interest and your balance will a lot longer to pay off.
Keeping cards at home
If you are having trouble with your credit card spending, then a good way to avoid the temptation is to leave your credit cards at home unless you really will need them. If you are simply going out on a small shopping trip, leave your cards at home so that you won’t be tempted to buy anything extra. Only take your credit cards out when you really need them, or in case of emergency.
Balance transfers
If you find that your credit card interest payments are very high, then a good way to reduce this is to switch your balance to a card that has 0% interest on balance transfers for a certain period of time. This will mean that you can pay off the balance without having to worry about interest for the next few months.
Shopping online
Shopping online has become increasingly popular, mainly because of the convenience it offers and the low prices available. When shopping online it is important to always use a credit card to purchase items. This is because credit cards are much safer than other forms of payment, and offer purchase protection. This means that if something should go wrong with the sale, you have the ability to claim the money back from the credit card company. If you use your credit card wisely, then you will avoid getting heavily into debt and will have the freedom that using a credit card can afford you.
Building a credit history
One of the best ways to use your credit card wisely is to use your card to build up your credit history. People who borrow and pay back the money responsibly have a much better credit history than those who never borrow at all. If you spend money on your credit card and then pay it back quickly, you will be seen as a good borrower and you will get better deals on other financial products like loans and mortgages.
Paying off your balance
Another sensible way to use your credit card is to only charge to your card what you can afford to pay back each month. Although this is not always possible because of large purchases or unexpected expenditures, you should generally try to budget to pay all or most of your balance back each month. If you can pay back your balance in full each month then you won’t be subject to the high interest rates of your card. However, even if you can’t pay back the whole amount, make sure you pay back more than the minimum payment. Paying only the minimum will leave you wasting money on interest and your balance will a lot longer to pay off.
Keeping cards at home
If you are having trouble with your credit card spending, then a good way to avoid the temptation is to leave your credit cards at home unless you really will need them. If you are simply going out on a small shopping trip, leave your cards at home so that you won’t be tempted to buy anything extra. Only take your credit cards out when you really need them, or in case of emergency.
Balance transfers
If you find that your credit card interest payments are very high, then a good way to reduce this is to switch your balance to a card that has 0% interest on balance transfers for a certain period of time. This will mean that you can pay off the balance without having to worry about interest for the next few months.
Shopping online
Shopping online has become increasingly popular, mainly because of the convenience it offers and the low prices available. When shopping online it is important to always use a credit card to purchase items. This is because credit cards are much safer than other forms of payment, and offer purchase protection. This means that if something should go wrong with the sale, you have the ability to claim the money back from the credit card company. If you use your credit card wisely, then you will avoid getting heavily into debt and will have the freedom that using a credit card can afford you.
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