If you find that your credit card purchases have exceeded your budget, you may be in need for some emergency credit counseling! Instead of throwing out all of your cards, consider assembling a strong hand of between 3 and 5 cards that will allow you to have a powerhouse wallet or purse!
First, consider the interest rate on your credit cards. Shop around to see if there are cards that offer lower interest rates. You may save a lot of money by switching over. And if they are balance transfer cards, they may offer even lower rates of interest! Once you have a low interest rate card, get rid of your higher interest rate cards. They're just not worth it!
Second, you should think about getting a reward card. Unlike regular credit cards reward cards offer the same purchasing ability as regular credit cards but also allow you to enjoy rewards from points earned or immediate discounts on purchases at select retailers. The secret to finding the best reward card for you is to get a card that offers rewards from a vendor you normally shop at anyway. For example, if you buy a lot of petrol, get a card from a vendor that gives you points for filling up your car with petrol. There's a lot of cards out there that have partnered with various vendors so find one or two from vendors you normally shop at.
Once you have found some credit cards that offer low interest rates as well as rewards on purchases you are ready to face the world again with a high-powered wallet. Even though you have increased the money you'll keep (because of lower interest and the discounts available on purchases) you may have carried over some debt that you would like to get rid of.
One option to do this is with debt consolidation loans. A debt consolidation loan is one where you gather together all of the debts you have and put them under one umbrella. By gathering many small loans at varying interest rates and due at varying times of the month, and putting them under one roof, you are effectively lowering your average interest rate and consolidating your payments into one fixed payment once a month. And, because you are gathering your debts from many vendors and giving it to one vendor, you may be able to get a lower interest rate.
Congratulations! You will have just taken your powerhouse wallet from good… to great!
The offers to make money as you spend money are quite enticing to the modern consumer. With a cash back credit card, you can earn percentages that can reap rewards at the end of the year. So to choose the best cash back credit card for you, here are some questions that you will want to ask.
1. What counts toward the cash back?
While it might seem that any purchase or addition to the overall cash back credit card balance would reap rewards, this is not generally the case. Many times, balance transfers and cash advances do not contribute to the percentage back. If you think that you will be using the cash back credit card for those purposes, you’ll want to see if you will be rewarded or not.
2. How much cash back are you receiving?
Of course, if you’re looking for a cash back credit card, you’ll want to choose the one with the highest amount of percentage that you can get back. And the cards vary widely in this respect. Look at several cash back credit card companies to see if one seems particularly high.
3. Can you increase your cash back?
Besides increasing the overall balance and contributing to the cash back, some cash back credit card companies also encourage customers to frequent certain retailers to get a larger cash back amount. If you already go to these establishments, these cash back credit card companies might work out better for you.
4. How can you redeem the cash back?
When you’re using a cash back credit card, you want to be able to get your rewards as frequently as possible. There used to be a time when you had to wait until the end of a twelve month cycle to receive the benefits, but it has changed. Some companies are now allowing customers to redeem their cash back as payments against their balance or to contribute to a charity as frequently as certain amounts are accrued.
5. What are the fees?
As with all credit cards, you’ll want to be sure that the cash back credit card you sign up for doesn’t charge a large fee that actually upsets any rewards that you might be receiving. Try to find a cash back credit card that doesn’t make you pay for your cash back.
With a cash back credit card, you can earn a little money as you spend for things that you already need.
In spite of a lot of people owning their own credit cards nowadays, there’s still a significant majority who haven’t joined the bandwagon of having a credit card as a precaution to ending up with debt that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. However, the allure of having a credit card is sometimes too hard to resist which is why more and more people are now contemplating on how to get a credit card of their own – but they still need a lot of help when it comes to choosing the right one.
Here’s some easy tips on what to prioritize when it comes to choosing your first credit card:
* When it comes to trying to establish a credit history, there are actually a lot of banks out there that have made it their specialty to extend VISA or even Master Card credit cards even to those who are still greenhorns when it comes to owning a credit card. However, don’t go “applying crazy” as each application will actually reflect on your credit reports so if, unfortunately, you end up getting rejected - lots of times, it’ll make you look pretty bad in the eyes of creditors as you may be deemed desperate.
* If you failed in that kind of application, you can still pursue two other possible approaches. One is to try your hand with credit cards from department stores or the ones from oil companies - gas cards as most people call them. These pseudo credit cards will actually help you get some credit history and are much easier to obtain as compared with credit bigwigs like VISA or Master Card. These will help you become more qualified for a real credit card, still, don’t get too excited and start pursuing multiple applications at one time, even if you already got the thumbs up from one company, still wait a little while before once again applying for a new card.
* Once you’ve been given a bank issued credit card through the proper management and handling of your department store or gas company issued cards, you must prove to your new creditors that you really are worthy of owning a credit card. Don’t start to shop ‘till you drop because even though credit card companies will make more money out of your debts, this will still leave room for them to question your ability as well as maturity to really manage a credit card well. Always make sure that you pay your credit card charges on time and if you can, don’t just pay off the interest as this may accumulate over the years, try to actually pay off the entire thing so that you’ll have a really good record with your company, prompting them to possibly giving you more credit lines, benefits or special offers.
* Assess your “credit history” after a year of getting your bank issued credit card, a good and well managed credit card history actually entitles you to the possibility of getting another credit card, however, if there’s really no need for a new one or if you’ve mismanaged you first one, don’t even think of applying for a second credit card line as you may end up acquiring more and more debt.
Cash back cards can be great if you use your credit card for a lot of purchases and pay off the balance quickly. Using the card a lot means that you earn more cash back, and paying it off right away means that you don't lose what you earn to interest charges on the balance. Most cash back rates are around 1% of the total purchases, before finance and interest charges. Here are five tips to help you choose the best cash back credit card for you:
A business credit card might a be good option if you are a business owner looking to streamline your accounts management. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a business credit card. Look At The Interest Rate One of the most important issues is the annual percentage rate (APR). This is the interest that lenders charged on any outstanding debt. The APR varies considerably between lenders, so it is worth shopping around for one that you find acceptable. You should also pay attention to the interest rate for cash withdrawals. As with personal credit cards, the APR on cash withdrawals can be very high. This is worth considering if you intend to use your business credit card to withdraw cash. Check Out The Fees Some business credit cards charge annual fees. These can range from around £20 to as much as £75. However, there are still some business credit cards that do not have a fee, so it is worth considering these if the other factors meet your requirements. Another fee to consider is the application fee. It may be worth searching for a credit card provider who will waive this fee. The amount of credit you will get and the repayment period are crucial aspects for managing your business. You'll want to get as long a grace period (interest-free period) as possible. Business Or Personal? Like personal credit cards, some business credit cards also offer rewards. These can be points that can be applied to purchases or useful rewards such as air miles or travel points of some sort. However, the range of rewards for personal credit cards is far greater. Some business owners may be tempted to manage their business spending via a personal credit card, but this is best avoided for three reasons. First, the credit limit given will not match the kind of credit limit a business credit card might get. Second, the interest rates and repayment periods on business credit cards are designed to help with business cash flow. Third, if you find yourself in debt, any spending on a personal credit card is your personal liability. In comparison, spending on a business credit card is charged to the business rather than an individual. Credit Or Charge? Business owners also have other options for managing their finances. Some can choose debit cards. This will mean that there is no line of credit and business owners can only spend what is in the business account. Another option is a business charge card. Like a credit card, there is often a fee for having a charge card, but there is no APR and no minimum repayment. This is because any spending on the charge card must be repaid in full at the end of the pay period. Whichever option business owners go for, there are a number of good reasons to use a card for managing business expenses. This can be especially useful for businesses with a lot of employees as they can use a business credit card to track expenses and cut down on in-house accountancy.
If you're in the market for a new credit card, there is a bewildering array of cards to choose from. There are even more incentive offers, so how can you decide on the card that is best for you? Here are some of the factors to consider. What Kind Of Payer Are You? The most crucial question is whether you are a person who clears the credit card every month or whether you always leave a balance on the credit card. If you pay up at the end of every month, then you can go for a credit card that offers an incentive. If not, then you need to look at the annual percentage rate (APR) on the card. If you know what your typical credit card balance is, look at the illustrations given by card issuers to give a guide to how much you might have to repay over time. Taking An Interest Even with interest rates, you need to be careful. Although your new credit card may come with a 0% balance transfer rate, this is not the only rate to think about. Look at the rate on purchases or other transactions to see what you might be paying. And remember that any payments you make are likely to pay off the transferred balance first, while any new spending accrues interest. Hand in hand with the interest rate goes the interest-free period. This is the delay between spending money on the credit card and being charged interest. This can vary considerably depending on the card you choose. The interest free period can be as much as 56 days. And it's how you use it that counts. If you put major spending on the credit card after the statement date, you have a month till the next statement, and then a few weeks to make the payment. This can be a good way of managing cash flow. Look At The Fees There are three types of fees that count with credit cards. The first is the cash withdrawal fee. Many credit card issuers charge you for withdrawing cash at an ATM. These fees can be around 2% of the transaction. The percentage is even higher when withdrawing cash abroad. If you must use the credit card, then you're better off making one large withdrawal so you don't pay the minimum fee each time. Getting Some Cash Back Many credit cards offer annual cashback deals which are great for people who clear their balance every month, but not so good for others. If you don't clear your balance, the interest charged will wipe out any cashback gains. There are also reward points schemes that allow cardholders to earn money from their spending – and spend it again with a variety of high street and online retailers. Paying attention to these items will help you to choose a credit card that will match your financial situation.
A credit card is a very valuable asset for almost anyone. The credit card system provides a numerous number of benefits that the cardholder can enjoy. And although it can be an instrument to revolve your credit and budget your finances, it can also cause complicated troubles on multiple debts. The ambivalent character of the credit card causes a tough competition among credit card providers. Its popularity nowadays, enkindles these providers to promote different modus in order to outstand in the market. Different incentives are offered to attract consumers to avail of a credit card in their company. All the incentive programs, as a marketing tool seem equally beneficial. So it is up to the customer to weigh what incentives are more valuable to him. For instance, the common program is the cash back incentive which functions by giving the card user a portion of their payment back to them. Usually, it occurs annually. Another program usually promoted by creditors is the discount programs. This provides discounts on certain items upon membership. Other programs include free services like automotive assistance and more. Because of the myriad offers, these benefits should be cautiously considered when choosing your credit card provider. And the primary thing that you should do is to know what exactly you need. This will determine what features will apply to you. And then compare the offers of the different companies and assess the terms before filing your application. And when you have sorted out these things, its time to fill out an application form. This is a prerequisite in order to enjoy the benefits of the credit card. This application can be made through the internet or through personally visiting the company. Nevertheless, online application is suited for people who are too busy and whose free time is very rare. In both ways, the application however is just similar. The details required and the processing has no significant differences in the technical aspect. Because of the fast pace of living, online application is more popular presently. This saves the applicant on time and effort. But when applying online, some people don't trust that their personal information to be kept confidential. One tip to check if the website is secured is when the website address starts with HTTPS. For most credit card providers, they offer a no interest rate for the first year of application. This will be a help for those who had not fully decided on what type of terms they wanted for the rest of their lives. And also, this will serve as a determinant or trial year for you to know how well the present credit card works for you. If you find the terms friendly, then you may want to make it your partner in managing your lifestyle. The credit cardholder then is issued the card after completion of an application form and after the approval of the credit card provider. Upon activation of the card, the cardholder can then use the card to purchase goods or pay for services with companies accredit by the provider. And after all these, expect that every month, the cardholder receives the statements of goods and services which he had purchased. This bill should be paid on time to avoid charges. And make sure you use your credit card wisely.
Different technological advances have allowed individuals to lead more effective, efficient and convenient lives. This is also true when it comes to the simple act of applying for a credit card. While an individual used to have to either receive a letter direct from the credit card company, complete with a form which they could mail back to the company in order to learn whether or not they would be approved for the card, or go to a store in order to fill out the paper work there and have it processed at that store location, individuals are not able to apply online free for a credit card. There are a number of different reasons as to how this is much more beneficial than the processes that were previously available to people when it came to the credit card application process. First of all, one is allowed a number of options as to companies they can consider when an individual opts to apply online for a credit card. No longer is a person limited to the credit cards that they are able to receive forms from. They are not limited to companies that specifically target them; instead the individual can easily research different companies and decide which credit card would be best for them and that which would be able to meet their own personalized needs and demands when it comes to having a credit card. It is even possible to do a side by side comparison of different credit cards and the companies that are associated with them. Some websites will also categories cards based on different characteristics, such as those for individuals with bad credit, people that need a travel rewards program or those that are looking to apply online free for a credit card that has a cash back program. When one opts to apply online free for a credit card that do not have anything to risk. Another benefit of opting to apply online free for a credit card is that the individual is able to save a great deal of time when it comes to the application process and the response to their application. They can spend a few minutes on the application, and then instead of waiting days or weeks for a response, as was the case with mail in forms, the individual can often learn the results of their application within a number of minutes or seconds. Even if the company needs more time to process the individual, they are still able to save time in that they do not need to mail in their response, which can tack on several days to the process when it comes to time elapsed. This makes the online application process much better of an option for people that are looking for an immediate response to their inquiries. This type of application process allows an individual to not only apply online free for a credit card, but it also allows the individual to immediately be aware of what their status is when it comes to a credit card. If they are declined, the individual is immediately made aware of this, and if they need to they can find a credit card that is more accommodating to their particular needs and qualifications. As a result, more people are able to enjoy having and utilizing a credit card in order to help with the purchase of goods and services that they may otherwise not be able to afford having to pay the entirety of the cost up front.
The traditional approach of applying for credit cards through paper brochures has been replaced by a more efficient method: Applying Online. Applying online for a credit card gives the consumer the advantage to compare offerings instantaneously. Whereas with a traditional brochure and unlike those pre-approved applications that annoyingly flood consumers’ mailboxes, applying online puts the consumer in the driver seat where they can dissect the perks and choose the card that best matches their needs. With all of the various and distinctive offerings that credit card companies provide today, it’s most important for a consumer to choose a card that gives them the best purchasing power. The new credit cards today are typically reward-based. However, not every credit card issuer provides the same rewards. If a consumer goes to a specific bank website, they will only be able to choose the cards that are issued by that bank. To get the best credit card offerings, a consumer has to compare different credit cards from one central location. To make the most of applying online, it is recommended that you take the following thoughts into consideration before applying: 1.) Decide what type of credit card you are looking for. Not all credit cards are the same today. There are reward credit cards, blink-enabled credit cards, business credit cards, retail cards, and prepaid credit cards, to name a few. 2.) Decide how you will use a credit card. Are you a frequent purchaser? If so, then look at reward-based credit cards. Are you planning on paying in full every month? If so, look for a credit card that has no annual fee. 3.) Do you travel a lot? There are many cards available that provide distinctive services – free of charge. Among other things, they include lost luggage coverage and auto rental insurance. Something to consider when choosing a card. 4.) Are you aware of your credit score? If you know that you have a fairly low credit score, then you can find comfort knowing that there are many solid secured credit cards available to help rebuild your credit. 5.) If you are a student, your best bet would typically apply online for a student credit card. These cards are specifically designed to look pass a typical student’s limited credit history while providing useful perks that could meet their collegiate needs. Applying online for a credit card puts the consumer in an advantageous position. No longer are you obligated to wait for the best credit card offerings through the mail or take time-consuming trips to the bank. In most cases, you’ll even get an instant approval when applying online. In a nutshell, applying online is faster, simpler, and gives the consumer more choices than was previously impossible before. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and apply online when you feel the need to get the best credit card.
There are different credit cards that will surely put you in deep trouble if you don't know how to properly use them. It should specifically give a thorough financial sense to you. This matter will be easier to conquer if you will learn the important factors helpful when finding the credit card which suits your needs the best. -Obtain a credit card having the lowest rates on interests as much as possible. Make sure that you have the capability to pay for the credit card expenses at a particular occasion where you are obliged to pay for the charges. Interest rates will not affect you significantly if you are planning to pay all the charges upon acquiring it in that same month. It is true that 0% APR does not exist because credit card companies would not make money out of that. Great deals on the percentage rates of APR could be found through different ways. -Choose a credit card that allows a balance transfer wherein you are able to transfer the other balances under the initial APR lowest interest rates. Although these offers are only limited, in the end you will find that it will procure a lot of savings. -Be always prompt as a customer. Pay the bill on the designated time and keep fair low balances so that you could request for a 0% APR even over a limited period of time. Most companies will find it a good deal because they don't want to lose their business and their good clients as well. -Search for different companies offering 0% APR in the internet. Make comparisons when shopping. Some companies offer a zero percent APR to their clients within a year upon acquiring the credit card. -Always be aware of the terms and condition regarding 0% APR. Know what periods are exactly covered because it might shock you to find out that you already have overhead charges. Make an assessment regarding the future interest rates after the trial periods. It could be higher than what you expected and soon you will regret that it is much better if you get the credit card having no trial periods or whatever 0% APR offers. Read carefully the fine prints of the agreement. -Most of the credit cards that are available today are featuring different reward programs. Make enough time for researching so that you will get the best reward program according to how you are going to use it. It is either in the form of points or cash back. The cash back reward program enables you to get a particular percentage from all the qualified purchase back, which is usually credited to your account. The point reward program enables you to obtain points with every purchase you make using the credit card. Then a product could be redeemed using those points from a particular store, or sometimes to several designated redemption stores, or others could even have airline tickets. However make sure that the redemption will benefit you according to your needs. -The credit card should possess a credit limit that is enough to satisfy your needs. The factors that should be considered include financing fees, annual fees, introductory offers, credit requirements, availability of online banking, and others. A lot of websites are great help when doing a research. You will never go astray if you follow these guiding principles on finding the best credit card. Make a wise decision today.
Different people have different needs. Depending on who you are and your circumstances, the best credit card deal for you will vary. I will take you through the things you should be looking for, but for the best current deals I suggest you check Money Savings Expert regularly (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com). Credit cards allow you to spend a certain amount of money at an interest rate that will be charged every month. The spending amount that is available to you can be seen differently. Some see it as an additional amount to spend, some see it as a ‘risk-free' borrowing opportunity. Credit card spending is not a ‘free' spending opportunity, as you will need to pay this money back. This money does not work like a loan, as the amount available to you is not all cash. However, it can be treated as a ‘loan' and this concept will be explained later. Other very important concepts that have to be understood before getting a credit card, is 0% offers. There are two kinds of 0% offers: on purchases and on balance transfers. The first one allows you to spend the money provided to you by the credit card without paying any interest for a certain amount of time. So, for example, if the credit card gives you a limit of £500 for three months, then you can spend £500 against this credit card and not be charged interest for the first three months since the credit card was opened. However, once this period of time expires, you will be charged the credit card interest rate. This interest differs depending on the credit card, so if you intend to pay this interest, then you ought to look for the lowest interest rate available. Paying interest can be avoided, unless you have already overspent too much and are using credit cards to pay off other credit card interest. In this case you should call some of the debt consolidation companies and try to get some your credit card debt written off. Another reason why you might be in the position of paying interest is because you forgot when your ‘0% free time' ended. If this is the case, you will be informed about this with your first bank statement. Transfer your balance to a different bank or pay the debt off and avoid any further interest payments. For those of you who don't have interest payments, you can take advantage of the 0% purchasing and make some money. You need a good credit history record to make this work and you also need to be disciplined. The easiest method is to do all of your normal spending against the credit card, while putting the money that is coming in into an interest-earning savings account. For example, if your credit card company lets you borrow £2,000, and you have £1,000 coming in as a salary every month, then put the £1,000 into a savings account and do all of your purchasing with a credit card. There are a few things to watch out for: credit card companies will charge you for cash withdrawals; your cash limit is much lower then the full available credit; and choose a savings account from which you can withdraw easily. At the end of the 0% purchase period, you will need to return all the money that you have spent against your credit card. You should have that amount available in the savings account by then, plus interest. The interest gained is your earnings for this transaction. You can earn even more if you chose a credit card with a cashback deal. This deal will pay you interest on all of your purchases made with the card. However, you should remember, that this is a money-making technique, rather then a ‘spend more' opportunity. There is a more complicated trick of making money from credit cards, details of which are outlined by Money Saving Expert (2006). If you are making money from the credit cards, there is no need for you to get card protection insurance, as you should have enough money to pay off the credit card debt at any time. At the end of the 0% purchasing period, you can also transfer the balance to a different card provider. This is known as 0% balance transfer, but you will be charged a fee for these transactions, usually around 2%. However, these fees vary, so you need to check the conditions. There are a few things to watch out for: the credit limit offered by your bank also includes your purchases. For example, if the new credit card offers you a £2,000 limit, with 0% balance transfer for 12 months and 0% on purchases for three months, and you have transferred £1,500 from your old credit card, you only have £500 to spend on this credit card. The second thing to watch out for is your credit score. "Most lenders' scoring systems aren't sophisticated enough to detect that you're playing this free-cash game. Yet multiple applications, especially at the same time, coupled with high outstanding debts, even at 0%, will diminish your ability to get competitive credit, so the most important thing is to spread card applications out" (Money Savings Expert, 2006). However, if you are in the position where you are already fighting the interest payments, as has been mentioned before, the best thing to do is to call debt consolidation experts. In any circumstances it is best to pay off the most expensive credit and store cards first (i.e the ones that charge the highest interest rates). Furthermore, avoid opening any new credit cards to pay off the debt. Instead transfer your high-interest debt to lower interest rate credit cards. For example, if your credit card interest rate is 16%, while your store card rate is 25% per month, transfer the store card balance over to the credit card. Whatever your circumstances, when you do open a new credit card always look for the longest 0% balance transfer and 0% purchase period, lowest transfer fee and interest rate charged afterwards. The limit offered to you will not only depend on your salary and credit rating, but also on the company that you go with. Finally, do not forget – don't play the credit card game if you cannot control it or have a high debt already. References Money Savings Experts 2006 "Card Trick" [Available from]: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1076883546,34894 (Accessed on: 10/11/06) Money Savings Experts 2006 "Card Card Shuffle" [Available from]: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1102335753,51771 (Accessed on: 10/11/06) Money Savings Experts 2006 "Credit Card Newbie MoneySavers Guide" [Available from]: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1103212597,43859, (Accessed on: 10/11/06) Copyright © 2006 Verena Veneeva
Choosing the right credit card is a decision that’s more important and difficult to make than most people think. With the right credit card, you’ll be able to maximize your card benefits without getting into debt. Credit Card Types – Which One Suits You Best? Low Interest Credit Card – If you’re interested in having a credit card only so you can pay for emergency expenses when you run out of cash, this is the best type of card for you. Reward Credit Card – Every time you swipe your credit card, you get to enjoy an equivalent number of points depending on how much you’ve spent. The points you’ve accumulated can later be on exchanged for various prizes. Airline Miles Credit Card – This is a type of reward credit card that offers only airline miles as rewards. When you use this credit card to purchase your plane fare, you’ll be able to enjoy reward miles. Later on, you’ll be able to use them and get discounted plane fare or fly for free even! The same rule applies for gas credit cards. Student Credit Card – Credit card companies have lately been designing credit card offers exclusively for students. Although accompanied with higher interest rates, these cards often have funky designs and offer special reward programs developed primarily to provide maximum enjoyment for students. Proof of schooling is often required. It helps if you’re enrolled in an accredited school and you’ve got great grades. Secured Credit Card – If you’ve got bad credit, there’s still a chance for you to own a credit card…but only if you’re okay with having a secured one. This type of credit card requires you to make a deposit on your bank account and serves as collateral in the event that you fail to pay off your credit card debt. Your credit card limit may equal or be more than the amount you’ve deposited. Prepaid Credit Card – This isn’t a credit card per se, but it generally works like one. The limit of this card will depend on how much you’ve deposited in its account. You can’t spend more than what you’ve deposited. Its main difference with a secured credit card is that secured credit cards can have greater card limits beyond the value of its deposit. Business Credit Card – This works just like any other conventional credit card only with a few additional perks that make it extremely suitable for business use. A business credit card can automatically separate personal expenses from business expenditures, facilitating monthly tallies for your taxes. It can also provide expense reports for your business, special rewards for your business, and allow you to provide supplementary cards for your employees. You can also choose to modify the credit limit of your employees if necessary. Home-Secured Credit Card – This works like a secured credit card, but only this time you’re using your home as collateral. If you don’t get to pay off your credit card debt, you know what will happen to your home, don’t you? Charity Credit Card – Think of it as shopping for a cause. Every time you purchase something using your credit card, a small amount of your money will be donated to the charity being sponsored by the credit card company. This is a great way to salve your conscience if you feel guilty about your materialistic tendencies.
High school life is over. You’ve moved away from home and you’re starting a brand new chapter in your life with college. Independence feels great, but it’s sure to feel greater if you’ve got your own credit card, don’t you think? 8 Tips for College Students Wanting to Apply for a Credit Card Here’s what you can do to make the credit card application process as hassle-free as possible. Tip #1 Prepare proof of identification. Have your photos ready as well as all your valid IDs. Credit card companies will always have to verify that you are indeed who you say you are before you can proceed any further. IDs where your age is stated are also preferred because you have to prove you’re at least 18 years old as well. If you have any bills under your name, take them with you as well because they can serve as proof of residence. Tip #2 Prepare proof of schooling. Credit card companies generally prefer to issue credit cards to students who belong to accredited colleges and universities. If you belong to such a school then you’re in luck. If not, you can compensate it by showing your previous records – if they’re excellent, that is. Just like when you’re applying for a driver’s license, credit card issuers also take academic and extra-curricular excellence as a sign of maturity and trustworthiness in your part. Tip #3 Prepare proof of financial assets. Student credit cards tend to charge higher rates than usual, but you might be qualified for lower rates if you’re already working or you have money and a bank account in your name. Either way, make sure you can submit documentary proof of your work or assets. Tip #4 Speaking of interest rates, the first thing you should look for in a credit card is the lowest possible interest rates. This might mean not being able to enjoy a reward-based credit card, but at your age, you might not yet afford the higher rates charged by credit cards offering reward points. If you see a 0% APR credit card, make sure to check how long the offer would last and what the standard APR is afterwards. Tip #5 A number of credit cards allows you to apply even without a cosigner, but some of them tend to have stricter application requirements. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of submitting additional requirements, simply ask your parent or legal guardian to act as your guarantor when you apply for a credit card. Tip #6 Always look for a credit card that allows you to manage your account online. This will allow you to check your account balance regularly and know when and how much you have to pay for your credit card every month. Tip #7 There are a few additional perks that you might deem necessary. If you are fond of shopping online, look for a credit card that offers you fraud liability guarantee at no extra cost. Other credit cards offer you “thank you” points for being a prompt payer. Tip #8 Now that you know what you need from a credit card, find one that matches your preferences and then submit your application. Remember to be courteous and answer all their questions honestly. You’re sure to have your application approved in no time. Have fun with responsible swiping!
No matter where you go and what you do, you will need a means to pay for it. More often than not, you will be using some form of credit card. Credit cards are accepted by almost every vendor across the world.
Each has different rates, requirements, restrictions, rules, and yes, perks too.
The following are six easy steps to find the right credit card for you:
1. Understand your credit - You must have a thorough understanding of how credit works before applying for credit cards in the first place. First, understand that the issuance of credit is a loan that must be paid back. Second, understand that you should pay your credit card bill on time monthly to avoid adverse information being placed on your credit file. Third, review your credit regularly; every 60 to 90 days is adequate. Fourth, if something is out of the ordinary, report it immediately.
2. Know Thyself - Before you begin your investigation into currently available credit card offers, first evaluate your credit card needs, especially your spending habits and bill-paying habits. Why do you want another card? What do you plan to use it for primarily? Big purchases, regular use, or emergencies? Do you pay your monthly balances in full or do you pay them off slowly over time? Are you looking to consolidate debt or take advantage of an enticing rewards program? Once you know why you want a credit card and how you plan to use it, you're better able to evaluate which credit cards would best suit your needs.
3. Prioritize Features - What qualities of your ideal credit card are most important to you? Low interest rate? Special 0% promotion on balance transfers? High limit? Airline miles? Cash back at the gas pump? Longer grace period? By the same token, ask yourself if there are any features that really don't matter to you that much at all.
4. Compare, Contrast, and Narrow Your Choices - Now it's time to look closely at credit card offers currently available. Check with banks. Check online credit card directories and review sites. Check your mailbox for the latest offers. Check everywhere you can think of and rule out all those that don't meet your criteria. Now let's take a look at what you've got left.
5. Look Deeper - Take this, hopefully, fine-tuned list of offers that meet your basic criteria and read the Terms and Conditions to all of them. Read all the fine print, no matter how tedious it seems. They may all look alike, but they're most definitely not. Find out what makes each of these cards different. Maybe one has an annual fee. Maybe one has a fee for balance transfers and another doesn't. Maybe one offers lower APRs on cash advances or better protection against identity theft or a heftier penalty for late payments. Each institution can devise their own rules and restrictions because as long as you agree to it by signing on the dotted line, it's valid and enforceable. What Terms and Conditions are you most willing to sign? Or, to put it another way, which one are you least unwilling to sign?
6. Confirm - Confirms everything you've just found out about the card that you've decided to apply for. Applying for too many cards can damage your credit. Better to find one or two that seem right for you and apply only for those. Check with the bank or financial institution directly to confirm the terms of the offer and see if there are any additional stipulations not listed in the offer. Check third-party sources for reviews and customer feedback on your chosen credit card(s). Check with the Federal Reserve for the most updated version of any card's Terms and Conditions
Finally you're ready to apply, with this confidence of having done your due diligence. Once you submit your application, good luck and, assuming you do get the new credit card you desire, use it wisely
