While credit cards are very useful, and eliminate the need to carry around money with you, they can be a risk for some people to spend beyond their means and end up in debt, which they simply cannot repay. To avoid this pitfall, there are some things that you can do.
You should ensure first of all that you would be able to make repayments on a credit card. You should only spend what you can afford to pay off. Jut because you are able to use a credit card when you do not have the cash available, it is not free money, and you will need to pay it back at some point or other. Be sensible with your spending, and try to only use your credit card for the things that you actually need, unless of course, you have the money to pay off the balance straight away.
Before you choose a credit card provider, it is wise to compare all the deals that are available to you. You can use the telephone to contact independent credit card comparison companies, where the representatives will be able to ask you a series of questions to determine the best kinds of credit cards for you, and then they will advise you of the best deals. You can do this online too, by comparing credit card companies with the use of a comparison site. Remember, these companies are there to be as impartial as possible, and the will not try to up sell any deal to you which you simply don't need.
You should consider the other purchases that you make frequently, or any purchases that you may wish to make in the future. Many credit cards offer a reward scheme where you can earn points on transactions and then claim them as payment towards something that you need, in reward for your business with the credit card company. If you need a new household appliance in the future, or intend to fly, then you may benefit from earning pints towards the cost of these kinds of things when you actually need them.
To avoid sliding into debt when you have your card, you should always try to male your payments on time. The less balance you have outstanding on your credit card, the less interest you will pay. If you miss a payment, then your credit card company will usually charge you a fee. Sometimes these fees can be very high, and when you are charged that fee, it ends up increasing the amount that you have remaining to pay off on the credit card, inching you further into debt.
You should be sensible when choosing your credit card, and when you make transactions, always remember that at some point, you will have to pay back that money!
By George Khorde, credit expert of credit-box.com
You should ensure first of all that you would be able to make repayments on a credit card. You should only spend what you can afford to pay off. Jut because you are able to use a credit card when you do not have the cash available, it is not free money, and you will need to pay it back at some point or other. Be sensible with your spending, and try to only use your credit card for the things that you actually need, unless of course, you have the money to pay off the balance straight away.
Before you choose a credit card provider, it is wise to compare all the deals that are available to you. You can use the telephone to contact independent credit card comparison companies, where the representatives will be able to ask you a series of questions to determine the best kinds of credit cards for you, and then they will advise you of the best deals. You can do this online too, by comparing credit card companies with the use of a comparison site. Remember, these companies are there to be as impartial as possible, and the will not try to up sell any deal to you which you simply don't need.
You should consider the other purchases that you make frequently, or any purchases that you may wish to make in the future. Many credit cards offer a reward scheme where you can earn points on transactions and then claim them as payment towards something that you need, in reward for your business with the credit card company. If you need a new household appliance in the future, or intend to fly, then you may benefit from earning pints towards the cost of these kinds of things when you actually need them.
To avoid sliding into debt when you have your card, you should always try to male your payments on time. The less balance you have outstanding on your credit card, the less interest you will pay. If you miss a payment, then your credit card company will usually charge you a fee. Sometimes these fees can be very high, and when you are charged that fee, it ends up increasing the amount that you have remaining to pay off on the credit card, inching you further into debt.
You should be sensible when choosing your credit card, and when you make transactions, always remember that at some point, you will have to pay back that money!
By George Khorde, credit expert of credit-box.com