Do you consider it a necessity to apply for credit cards? It may not be. Credit cards can cost you a great deal in transaction costs, annual fees, and interest charges. However, there are many cases where a credit card comes in handy. When you are looking for the right card, it would be wise to compare credit cards.
Despite high-interest charges for revolving balances, a credit card can be a very useful item to have, provided it is used correctly. These cards are particularly helpful in the case of an emergency purchase, or if you are faced with an unforeseen high account. The best way to use a credit card is to pay the balance off in full each month. Only charge what you can afford to pay off each month.
Credit cards are also really valuable should your vehicle suddenly break down. Having a credit card can be most useful in an emergency situation when dining out, particularly with friends, when you have budgeted for less than the final amount on the bill.
Credit cards can also be used for over the phone or online purchases and it is for these reasons that many people apply for credit cards. The ability to purchase an item via an internet auction, or from an online store that is offering sizable discounts, is very appealing to many consumers.
You can purchase an item from out of state and have it delivered to your doorstep with a credit card and a person is able to make internet and phone bill payments by using a card. This is a very convenient approach to paying your accounts and negates the need to wait in line.
Credit card issuers typically offer purchase insurance or even an extended warranty when a person uses their credit card to make a purchase. Both are very valuable, as they offer the opportunity to recoup the purchase price of an item if it is damaged, lost, or stolen. These offers also allow you to benefit from purchase insurance when buying online or from a remote destination.
Although there are many positive reasons to apply for a credit card, having this option requires you to be constantly vigilant to make sure you remain debt-free.
You can pay an annual fee of anywhere from $50 to $400 to use your card. Pay attention to these annual fees and if possible, apply for a card with no annual fee.
Credit cards may offer low-interest introductory periods from time to time, but if the balance owing is not paid back to zero by the end of the promotional period, the low interest is forfeited. In these circumstances, the cardholder will be paying interest charges that can be as high as 20 percent.
It makes good financial sense to open an online savings account, which can serve as an emergency fund. By making an automatic payment from your salary each week, this payment will quickly add up and can be used for the emergencies that people use a credit card for.
Obtain a debit card, which will also allow you to make purchases via your phone or online. The important difference is that this type of card accesses your own funds and you don’t accrue a balance on which you need to pay interest. A debit card issued by either MasterCard or Visa will also offer purchase interest and secure purchases.
Do you think you can make it without a credit card?
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