| |
| |
|
Credit Information |
|
|
|
Useful Tips When Choosing Credit Cards
Chances are you have received your share of "pre-approved" credit card offers in the mail, some with low introductory rates and other perks. Many of these solicitations urge you to accept "before the offer expires." Before you accept, shop around to get the best deal. Credit Card Terms: A credit card is a form of borrowing that often involves charges. Credit terms and conditions affect your overall cost. So it's wise to compare terms and fees before you agree to open a credit or charge card account. The following are some important terms to consider that generally must be disclosed in credit card applications or in solicitations that require no application. Annual Percentage Rate: The APR is a measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly rate. It also must be disclosed before you become obligated on the account and on your account statements. Some credit card plans allow the issuer to change your APR when interest rates or other economic indicators - called indexes - change. Because the rate change is linked to the index's performance, these plans are called "variable rate" programs. Free Period: Also called a "grace period," a free period lets you avoid finance charges by paying your balance in full before the due date. Knowing whether a card gives you a free period is especially important if you plan to pay your account in full each month. Without a free period, the card issuer may impose a finance charge from the date you use your card or from the date each transaction is posted to your account. If your card includes a free period, the issuer must mail your bill at least 14 days before the due date so you'll have enough time to pay. Annual Fees: Most issuers charge annual membership or participation fees. Transaction Fees and Other Charges: A card may include other costs. Some issuers charge a fee if you use the card to get a cash advance, make a late payment, or exceed your credit limit. Some charge a monthly fee whether or not you use the card. Other Costs and Features: Credit terms vary among issuers. When shopping for a card, think about how you plan to use it. If you expect to pay your bills in full each month, the annual fee and other charges may be more important than the periodic rate and the APR, if there is a grace period for purchases. However, if you use the cash advance feature, many cards do not permit a grace period for the amounts due - even if they have a grace period for purchases. So, it may still be wise to consider the APR and balance computation method. Also, if you plan to pay for purchases over time, the APR and the balance computation method are definitely major considerations. You'll probably also want to consider if the credit limit is high enough, how widely the card is accepted, and the plan's services and features. Useful Tips: Keep these tips in mind when looking for or using a credit or charge card. ? Shop around for the plan that best fits your needs. ? Make sure you understand a plan's terms before you accept the card. ? Hold on to receipts to reconcile charges when your bill arrives. ? Protect your cards and account numbers to prevent unauthorized use. ? Draw a line through blank spaces on charge slips so the amount can't be changed. ? Keep a record - in a safe place separate from your cards - of your account numbers, expiration dates and the phone numbers of each issuer to report a loss quickly. ? Carry only the cards you think you'll use. You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact: John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Making Sense of the Information in Your Credit Report If you've ever applied for a credit card or loan, you've probably had your credit report reviewed by the lender. Your credit report has a huge impact on your financial future, so it's well worth your time to be sure that you understand what your credit report says about you. Different Ways to Borrow Money There are many different ways to borrow money. Outlined below is a useful guide to some of most common ways of borrowing money. Credit Cards: Pros and Cons Sure, there are a lot of problems with credit cards, but there are a lot of good things attached to them as well. For instance, if you have a small business, fleet credit cards can keep your books in order when you issue them to drivers of company vehicles for gas and automobile repairs. Tired Of Being Broke?...Learn How To Force Banks To Give You Money! Imagine.. Your Consumer Rights If you have ever fallen behind on your debts you already know that dealing with your creditors can be a hassle. Sometimes it can be downright humiliating. Credit Cards - The Basics How Lenders Operate - And How They'll Make a Tidy Fortune from the UnknowingCredit card companies might seem like immensely clever, money making enterprises that exploit every loophole to maximize the interest payments - and profits - they are taking from you every month. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth. Pitfalls of the Credit Industry The credit industry if rife with pitfalls. If you have ever owned a credit card you probably already have learned this the hard way. Cutting Credit Card Costs What are the APRs charged by the credit cards in your wallet? If you are paying more than 12% interest on any of them, you are probably paying too much. The prime rate is currently in the single digits, so credit card companies that charge above 13% APR are overcharging. What is the Check 21 Act? Check 21 is the common name for the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act. It's new legislation that was recently passed by congress and made a law when signed by the President of the United States (remember "I'm just a bill" from Saturday morning cartoons). Credit Repair Scams "Erase Bad Debt !""Remove Negative Items From Your Credit Report"You've probably seen these headlines and others just like it promising to clean up or "fix" bad credit. For someone who suffers from a bad or poor credit rating, these headlines are certainly an appealing offer. What Can Happen to You as a Victim of Identity Theft, Facts & Figure Is identity theft really that serious? Thousands of people every year are victims of this terrible crime. Thieves use your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes in your name and can cause significant credit damage. Make Sure Your Credit Report Is Correct to Improve Your Interest Rates And Lower Insurance Premiums Did you know that you could make sure to get the best rates on your auto and homeowners insurance simply by having a good credit score.Additionally a great credit score will allow you to get the best interest rates on your credit cards, car loans and even your home mortgage. Credit Card Dirty Tricks There are many of us that have been badly stung by credit card companies that have charged exorbitant fees to use their credit cards. Several years ago an APR of 25% to 29% was common place which in simple terms means that if you borrow £1,000 your interest on that money would be £250 to £290 a year. ChexSystems: Who They Are and How it Affects You ChexSystems is a company that maintains a subscriber membership service used in the banking industry. The members consist mainly of Banks, and Credit Unions, but can include other types of Financial Institutions. Finding and Applying for the Right Credit Card Offer Online Anywhere you go online nowadays, you will see a multitude of ads for credit cards. Some offer low interest rate for an introductory period, or bonus frequent flyer miles while others offer real discounts on new vehicles and equipment. Credit Card Entrapment - The Secrets are Out Have you ever wondered why your credit card bill is so high and you can't seem to pay off the balance? Well you are not alone in this. You should be aware of a couple of trick that they use and you probably don't even pay attention to it, but you definitely pay for it and BIG!The next time you open up your credit card statement, take a real close look to all the "junk" inside particularly the very hard to read insert Call "changes to you credit card agreement". 10 Tips To Prevent Credit Card Fraud Imagine opening your credit card statement one morning and discovering to your horror that you suddenly owe thousands of dollars - on purchases that you never made.Impossible?Credit card fraud on the rise, so you need to treat your card and its information with extreme care. Do You Want to Get a New Credit Card at a Great Rate? 1) Do your homework. Applying for and getting approved for a credit card is nothing more than legwork. Fun with Credit Cards For those of us who know how to use them properly, credit cards can actually be quite fun and lucrative. To those who do not know how to use them properly, I would say that you should stop reading this column right about now, or at least I would advise you not to try any of this stuff at home. Boosting Your Credit Score To Get The Best Credit Card Deal Making Your Credit Rating Work For YouOne of the basics of getting the most competitive credit card deal in the market is to ensure you have the best credit record possible. Few of us are lucky enough to be earning a six-figure salary, and many people are likely to have other financial undertakings that a potential lender will want to take into account.
|
| Article List | Index | Site Map |
|
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved. |
