If you’re like most Americans, offers for credit cards arrive in your mail on a daily basis. Why did credit card companies show so much interest in your business? Many motives are behind it. Credit cards are not the free cash for sure. Funny enough, many customers think of them this way, and that—aha!—is how credit card companies make their money.
Credit cards have varying APRs or annual percantage rate you will notice it when you read through the fine print about credit cards. It refers to the interest rate you have to pay on your credit card charges if you did not pay your full monthly balance. When have you go for shopping last time, think about it. Are you sure that everything you bought from market you can pay for those items from your monthly paycheck? Credit card companies bank on customers who are not attentive towards their shopping. Credit card companies work on the chance that users will purchase more than they can actually afford using their credt card. When the bill comes and it can’t be paid in full, the customer pays interest on this borrowed amount, and that interest accrues daily. This money goes right into the credit card company’s bank account. With thousands of customers falling into this plight on a monthly basis, you can see where the companies get rich quick.
But how can you avoid falling into the credit card trap? A little forethought and budget planning can help you prevent paying interest and still allow you to benefit from credit card perks.
Go for the mileage credit cards. Most airlines offer credit cards that earn you frequent flier miles based on the number of dollars you spend. Alluring, right? Sure.
Always remember your spending limits and do not cross them. Telephone and internet are two easy ways of checking your card balance. Always do shopping within your monthly limit and know when the closing date is for your monthly statement. That way you can take advantage of the bonus without digging yourself into a rut.
Speaking of the credit card rut, let’s go back to that interest thing. Is you did not pay your interest fully in a month it will also accumulate interest? Take a look at this example. You have racked up $10 in interest on your credit cards in one month, based on a balance of $100. (Assuming a interest rate of 10% monthly.) Because you leave that unpaid, the next month’s interest accrues on the new balance of $110. That means the next month you owe an additional $11! Total fee on your 100$ purchasing is 21$. Did you really find a bargain when you purchase that jacket at 20% off? Perhaps not.
If you buy responsibly and keep track of your purchases, you can avoid credit card traps. Credit cards can work in your favour if you are a smart consumer.
Mail this post
Tags: Bad Debt, Credit, credit cards, debt advice, debt assistance, debt free, debt help, Debt Problem, debt problems, debt solution, eliminate debt, erase debt, get out of debt, getting out of debt, help with debt, how do i get out of debt, how to get out of debt, out of debt