Credit Information

Credit Cards: How To Use Them


Credit cards can be a very quick way of getting into even more debt if you do not know how to use them properly. UK debt is now at an all time high and, excluding mortgages, Credit Cards are one of the main contributors.

It's a lot easier to get a credit card than it is to get a mortgage or a loan. So it makes sense that more people own a credit card. With interest rates that are quite high in relation to loans and mortgages you can see why the debt can get out of hand.

In order to get the best value for money out of your credit card you need to be disciplined in the way you manage your debt.

Make sure you make the payments every month:

If you cannot pay off the whole amount every month make sure you pay at least more than the minimum required. This will help you pay more of the capital off every month. Make sure you take advantage of the interest free periods in this case.

Don't abuse your credit limit:

A credit limit does not mean free money. Credit Card companies are happy to raise your limit if they see you pay off your card regularly. Don't be tempted to use this money it just puts you further in debt and will take you longer to clear it. Credit Card companies know that most people will not be able to resist spending more and you are just helping the big card companies to make more money.

Check your statements every month:

This is a small but important point. Credit Card companies are not perfect and often errors are made on your statements. Make sure all items on your statements are goods and services you have purchased. If you do notice an error contact your credit card straight away. Keep an eye on the interest rate you are charged. If you are on an interest free period make sure you are still not being charged interest.

Know your rights:

Many people do not know their rights when it comes to using their credit cards. Did you know that if you buy goods or services and these are not delivered or are not to the standard advertised then the Credit Card is liable. If you order a sofa and the furniture store goes under and you do not receive your sofa then the Credit Card company has to reimburse you the amount spent. A little tip: If you are paying for an item and it is to be delivered at a future date, always use your credit card as it will be a form of insurance if there is a problem. You can always pay the amount off when the goods arrive if you had planned to pay cash.

For more information on your rights visit:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/consumer_finance.htm

Grant Marwick is a freelance writer and owner of http://www.only-credit-cards.co.uk where you will find advice and more articles on Low interest Credit Cards and advice on Bad Credit

  


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Times (blog)

Credit Card Balances down 28% with New Credit on the Rise
MarketWatch (press release)
ATLANTA, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- According to Equifax's May National Consumer Credit Trends Report, existing bank credit card balances as of April 2012 were 28% below their peak. Balances were $531 billion in April 2012 compared to ...
Winners and Losers 3 Years After Credit CARD ActFox Business
Medical Costs Contribute to Credit Card DebtNew York Times (blog)
Stay-At-Home Moms Fight Credit Card BiasU.S. News & World Report (blog)
Huffington Post
all 20 news articles »


Iran Takes Credit for Thwarting Pirate Attack on US-Flagged Vessel
New York Times (blog)
By J. DAVID GOODMAN Who scared the pirates away from a United States-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday — armed guards or an Iranian warship? The Danish company that operates the ship, the Maersk Line, said its onboard guards repelled ...

and more »


TIME

Best Credit Cards for High School, College Graduates
Fox Business
Contrary to popular belief, young adults can still open credit card accounts in the post-CARD Act environment--although they might need some help. In order to garner approval, applicants must have either a co-signer or sufficient independent disposable ...
What's a Good First Credit Card to Build My Credit Score?U.S. News & World Report
The Top 5 Flexible Travel Rewards Credit CardsTIME
Americans want to use credit card rewards in summer plansDebtmerica Relief

all 9 news articles »


HP Credit-Default Swaps Decline by Most Since October on Profits
Bloomberg
Its credit grade was cut by each of three biggest ratings firms in the last 12 months as its long-term debt almost doubled in the past two years. Profit before some costs in the second quarter was 98 cents a share, the company said in a statement ...



Credit Repair Services in the US Industry Market Research Report Now Available ...
Seattle Post Intelligencer
Most industries in the United States went down with the ship during the recession, but the Credit Repair Services industry was not one of them. As consumers credit scores dropped in the face of late payments due to unemployment and reduced income, ...

and more »


Euroclear taps Credit Agricole for new chairman
Reuters
By Luke Jeffs | LONDON May 24 (Reuters) - Euroclear named Marc Antoine Autheman, a former Credit Agricole banker, to replace Sir Nigel Wicks as chairman in January as the settlement firm gears up for reforms to promote competition in the sector for the ...

and more »


Credit Agricole SA Group selects Orchestra Networks' Master Data Management ...
MarketWatch (press release)
BOSTON & PARIS, May 24, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Orchestra Networks(TM), the Master Data Management (MDM) software vendor, today announced that Credit Agricole SA Group selected its EBX5 solution to manage its master data. Orchestra Networks is one of ...

and more »


AM Best Downgrades Issuer Credit Rating and Affirms Financial Strength Rating ...
MarketWatch (press release)
OLDWICK, NJ, May 24, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best Co. has downgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to "a" from "a+" and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) of West Bend Mutual Insurance Company (West Bend) (West Bend, WI).
A.M. Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Ratings of Atain Specialty Insurance Company ...Insurance News Net (press release)

all 39 news articles »


Credit Today

FICO Reports UK Credit Card Delinquencies Have Fallen to Two-Year Low
MarketWatch (press release)
For so-called "classic" (non-premium) credit cards, less than 5 percent of the balances on all cards were 30 days delinquent in March, which represents a two-year low. In February and March, the percentages of accounts that were 30 days delinquent also ...
Credit card delinquencies hit two-year lowCredit Today

all 7 news articles »


Rockland NY Credit Union Appoints COO
MarketWatch (press release)
PEARL RIVER, NY, May 24, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Palisades Federal Credit Union, the largest Rockland County based Credit Union, has named Anthony Kurdziel Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Member Services.

and more »

Google News

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.