Making a Credit Card Count

October 15, 2008 · Print This Article

If you want to get by in America today, chances are likely that at some point or another you’ll need to obtain a credit card. Even if you don’t like the idea, it’s just a fact of life today that credit cards enable you to do more than just simply skip the burden of having to carry cash around on you. Credit cards give you the ability to make purchases that are quick and sufficient, covering costs exactly down to the penny in an instantaneous manner. More than that, they help you to establish credit which is essential to getting by in today’s economy.

Even with the way the economy has been sluggish recently, having a credit card is an important tool in making financial choices from a day to day basis. They enable you to quickly get what you need by taking out a loan against the value limit of the card, developing a balance. This balance is what you reduce when you make your monthly payments. It’s ideal to cover what you owe in full, so that you not only cover your expenses and prevent debt from accruing, but also maximize the benefits of your credit card in regards to building credit.

Making your credit card count means doing more than just making your payments on time and in full, however. You want to obtain a card that meets your needs and gives you fair and respectable terms and conditions. If you already possess a card that isn’t optimal, you should reevaluate it and either establish new terms or find another one that meets your needs.

One of the first things you should consider with a card is the annual fees that may apply. Most people dislike annual fees simply because they frown upon the idea of paying a fee just to possess a card. However, annual fees often give you cost-saving benefits that apply to other aspects of the card, such as the possibility of lower interest rates that are fixed.

Something that matters to every credit card holder are the balance transfer features. This involves the rate of percentage that applies to purchases, and can go to one of two extremes. You can have either a card with a low balance transfer APR or one that comes with a higher APR that involves no transfer fees. Neither of these choices are better than the other, and are equally popular among cardholders. It’s simply a matter of choosing the terms that are right for you.

Another thing that shouldn’t be ignored are introductory offers. Card issuers like to present benefits and bonuses upon signing up that are very quite attractive. Several of the major card companies offer cards that come with 0% APR for roughly the first year or so. While these benefits may seem great at first, you should still consider what the card offers you after the sign-on bonuses expire. In many cases, you might end up with a card that is unfavorable to your situation and financial needs.

Having a credit card is one of the greatest tools you can possess this day and age. Just like any other tool, they come with the responsibility of having to be utilized wisely. More than that, however, you want to make certain that the tool you choose is appropriate for the task, which in this case is your personal finances.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks


Related Articles

  • Credit Mistakes Last a Long Time
  • Making your credit count is crucial to achieving financial freedom in America. While you can do a lot with hard work to earn the money
  • When Friends Ask For Financial Help
  • Despite the difficulties that every American faces when it comes to financial matters, such as debts, credit issues, loan payments, interest rates, economic concerns, and
  • Credit Cards Can Encourage Overspending
  • Keeping your debt in control and limiting it only to what is necessary can be quite challenging. This is especially true when it comes to
  • Pursuing Good Credit From the Start
  • Getting a start in life can be tough. You're often without means to make good money, and everything you want to pursue in life has
  • Behaviour That Raises Your Credit Score
  • Your credit score is something that reflects on more than just your eligibility for loans. It directly affect several factors that are involved in your

Comments

29 Responses to “Making a Credit Card Count”

  1. reidelfeld rosadownhi on July 31st, 2010 1:25 am

    Keep all your passwords, Credit Card Numbers and other Confidential details in 128-bit encrypted format in your PDA.   $6.99 | Credit Cards | Read more… #PopShop173493 table.pspsWrapper {margin:0 auto;border-collapse:collapse;width:525px;} #PopShop173493 td{vertical-align:top;padding:0;} #PopShop173493 a img {border:none;max-width:160px;max-height:160px;width: expression(this.width > 160 ? 160 : true);} #PopShop173493 .pspsMain{padding:0 0 10px 0;width:100%;text-align:center;} #PopShop173493 .buy_button {padding:5px 4px;display:block;margin:7px auto 0 auto;color:#212121;background-color:#cccccc;} [...]

  2. iface on July 31st, 2010 10:43 am

    I think you should start listening to Dave Ramsey……

  3. mccut fisch on August 1st, 2010 2:12 am

    PCI Compliance – A Must For Online Transaction Using Credit Cards … via

  4. mic colejon on August 1st, 2010 6:16 am

    dis is bumb like if u wanted a card number so bab go get a job n put cash on it…all hes doin is making a dumb ass out of u when u do it.

  5. kameloibei on August 2nd, 2010 11:11 pm

    Point at the door. Tell her to take her cards with her.

  6. belanpher weiler on August 4th, 2010 1:29 am

    This has some very valuable information. I’m glad I know this information now, I feel like I’ve been placed at a huge advantage. Thanks!

  7. wati baechler on August 4th, 2010 4:53 am

    You are a genius. I really liked this price matching technique. Thanks for sharing.

  8. mes tahl on August 4th, 2010 9:02 pm

    posted by wheelsforgrabs | Cars and Sedan For Sale | P258000.00 | 0 post | 3 views
    1998 Toyota Camry GSX 2.2 Automatic for sale!!! 258K only!!! NEGOTIABLE!!! Bank Financing is ok!!! Trade – ins accepted!!! Credit cards ok!!!     * white     * automatic transmission     * 2.2 gasoline     * 100,000 + km reading     * WEDENSDAY coding / end plate # 6     *…
    [ 1998 Toyota Camry GSX 2.2 Automatic for sale!!! ]

  9. chuk lisbit on August 5th, 2010 4:17 am

    Orchard Bank is a good one low interest also
    try there web site

  10. knuttias deau on August 5th, 2010 11:59 am

    credit card company's routinely run a credit file on all clients and the foreclosure will show up at some point in time. New cards are not going to happen once you fall behind on the mortgage note let alone foreclose. The foreclosure will kill your scores by 150 or more points at least

  11. yulander nehi on August 5th, 2010 7:14 pm

    Profits: does nothing else matter?
    Sydney Morning Herald (blog)
    My rent was a month in arrears, with credit cards maxed out, enduring daily harassment from debt collectors, and surviving on cheese and crackers – all the …
    and more »

  12. esco heyden on August 6th, 2010 9:49 am

    AWESOME….. !!!!!! I hope these credit card companies.. eerr.. Banks? Go bankrupt…. maybe “We the People” can foreclose on those bastages. Hey credit card company CEO I have cardboad box for ya to live in!

  13. maurischey on August 10th, 2010 5:14 am

    yes you can consolidate your debt you need to call your target cc and ask them to do a balance tranfer, just make sure you have your other credit card info handy they will sent payment to your other credit cards usually there is a fee of about 3%

  14. indongfiel butt on August 13th, 2010 2:37 am

    As far as I know, most credit cards allow you to add an authorized user without a social security number.

  15. gelcherwal on August 16th, 2010 11:43 am

    yes, FREE stuff. no money or credit cards, we can just rob it all. ;)

  16. kad on August 18th, 2010 7:52 pm

    You might have people warning against using credit cards. While the option to get things now and paying for them later might be seemingly beneficial, the conditions associated with such a transactions end up costing you a lot more than you would be willing to pay. Credit cards not only charge you interest on the amount of purchase but also on the amount you owe. This interest keeps on compounding and results in a massive credit card bill.

  17. burnello on August 18th, 2010 10:09 pm

    The fees and spending limits for one thing and business credit cards are usually associated with a business and not a given individual, but a business credit card will be tied to the business owner for credit purposes. Business Amex has an annual fee that must be paid and pretty high interest charges, so it's not a card for everyday use.

  18. sand ceracey on August 19th, 2010 3:58 am

    Offering Personal Loans, Credit Cards For The Credit Impaired.

  19. doh on August 21st, 2010 9:08 am

    Offering Personal Loans, Credit Cards For The Credit Impaired.

  20. louagerand on August 21st, 2010 10:50 am

    Article by Bryan Jackson at 2010-08-21 04:49:47
    Categorized in Continuity Disaster Recovery, Franchising, Outsourcing, Presentation,

  21. dac brit on August 24th, 2010 7:41 pm

    If I had 10 grand why in the world would I watch this vid

  22. galli on August 25th, 2010 4:14 am

    RT RT Advice on Using Credit Cards While Traveling Abroad #lp

  23. aili on August 27th, 2010 6:38 pm

    I know! She is fucking nuts!

  24. briah on August 28th, 2010 7:18 am

    The purpose of credit cards is to allow a person to purchase things without cash or checks, and consolidate their purchases into one bill they pay each month. It also gives you the flexibility to purchase things that you don't have all the money for (financing), but remember that ability comes at a cost (interest/finance charges). This is true for both student cards, and "real" cards.

    A "student" credit card is just a credit card that is targeted at college students; it often has rewards or perks that are aimed at college students. You can continue to use the credit card after college, or you can speak with your credit card company about changing over to a different card product that better suits your needs after school ends.

  25. off on August 28th, 2010 10:58 pm

    If ur parents have good credit they can put u on one of there credit cards as an authorized signer and u never use it. If you leave it up there for a few months and then try and apply for one you will have good credit.

  26. salyson mes on August 29th, 2010 1:06 am

    The offer of cash back credit cards in UK is beneficial for the users who spend very frequently

  27. silid on August 29th, 2010 10:01 am

    "Reward credit cards reward you when you spend on the credit card. Normally, you can collect rewards through 3 ways.

    * It involves earning cash back on the card, it depends on the amount you spend.
    * Next one involves giving points to the customers. They can be redeemed for gifts like cosmetics, shoes, water heater, mobiles and other goodies which the credit card company offers.
    * The last method of reward is providing airmiles. Airmiles are highly popular reward, as many customers like to redeem them for free flights or flight upgrades. Whatever type of reward credit card you opt for, carefully note the amount or rate at which rewards will accrue and also read carefully other terms and conditions.
    "

  28. tysiakongp swellaghei on September 1st, 2010 6:53 pm

    Credit card debt is a serious issue for Americans, who have an average of four credit cards each. Defaulting on credit card bills can result in damage to your credit score and even bankruptcy. Y Combinator-backed ReadyForZero is launching today as easy to use web-based platform to help guide consumers out of credit card debt. The site asks you to import your credit card information, including what types of cards you have, the amount owed, and will then walk you through the same steps a trusted financial advisor would give you. Based on your minimum payments, salary and balance, ReadyForZero will figures out an optimal strategy for what to pay and when. The site will send you reminders and you can track your progress online. While you cannot actually pay your bills directly from ReadyForZero, the startup will eventually allow users to do this directly from the site.

  29. bota maymon on September 2nd, 2010 8:06 am

    “Earlier this year, Puerto Rico passed a law requiring that all birth certificates be reissued in order to combat identity theft. On September 30, 2010, all birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 will become invalid.

    However, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has preemptively said they will no longer accept Puerto Rican birth certificates effective immediately. This has left thousands of American citizens born in Puerto Rico without proper documentation to obtain a driver’s license or state-issued identification.”

Got something to say?