Need Some Tips About Credit Cards? Keep Reading

Credit cards may be simple in principle, but they certainly can get complicated when it comes time to charging you, interest rates, hidden fees and so on! The following article will enlighten you to some very helpful ways that you can use your credit cards smartly and avoid the many problems that misusing them can cause. You should always review your monthly credit card statements carefully and look for any errors or discrepancies. If you find something that is wrong, inform your credit card company in writing, so that you have proof that you tried to contact them about the problem. This will keep your finances in good order. Consider working with a big company which is regulated by the right organization. To be safe, go with a company that is listed or one that a listing company owns. If you aren't going with a big company, you run the risk of them doing shady things with your account, such as charging you outrageous fees and raising the interest rates really high. Be wary of introductory deals on credit cards. Many credit cards providers will offer new customers credit cards, that have low interest rates, and high credit limits in order to get them to sign up. Unfortunately, these same providers usually increase the interest rate on their credit cards after a customer has owned a card for a few months, and built up some debt. When deciding if you want to apply for a credit card or use one for a purchase, be sure to do a check with yourself to see if it is a smart idea to do so. The worst thing you can do is use a credit card to live outside your means and then be stuck with a financial burden that you cannot find a remedy for. Your oldest credit card is the one that affects your credit report the most. Do not close this account unless the cost of keeping it open is too high. If you are paying an annual fee, ridiculous interest rates, or something similar, then close the account. Otherwise, keep that one open, as it can be the most beneficial to your credit score. Establish some kind of method to keep track of just how much money you are spending on your credit card. Write down each charge in a notebook or enter the charges into an app on your smart phone. No matter which type of method you choose, keeping a record of your transactions helps you not to overcharge with impulse and incidental purchases, which have a tendency to add up quickly. To avoid excessive fees, always read the fine print of any credit card offer you are considering. Many offers come with a low introductory APR and can be quite enticing. However, further review of the fine print may reveal that that low rate will be increased to a less than appealing rate in as little as 6 months or a year. Hopefully, this article has opened your eyes as a consumer who wishes to use credit cards with wisdom. Your financial well-being is a crucial part of your happiness and your ability to plan for the future. Keep the tips that you have read here in mind for later use, so that you can stay in the green, when it comes to credit card usage!