The Importance Of Choosing The Right Credit Card By Joseph Kenny

Do you remember the first time that you received a credit card offer in the mail? For many individuals that was the first credit card that they ever obtained. Unfortunately, many times these individuals did not know what they were getting into. If you are interested in obtaining a credit card for the first time or if you are interested in getting another one, you are encouraged to know what to look for in a credit card. Knowing what to look for will help to ensure that you pick the credit card that best fits your needs.

The most important thing to consider when selecting a credit card is the amount of money that you will have to repay in the end. With credit cards, you almost always end up paying more than you originally spent. The extra cost is often associated with interest rates, monthly fees, annual fees, overdraft fees, and late fees. If you do not examine all of these potential rates and fees before obtaining a credit card, you may end up paying more than you ever imagined for a simple purchase.

When trying to find the right credit card for your needs, you will need to examine your spending habits. If you are interested in using a credit card to make purchases that you cannot afford to payoff in the near future, you will want to examine what the minimum monthly payments and interest rate are on the card that you are interested in obtaining. If you are able to afford the minimum monthly payments, you will still need to examine the interest rate. This is because the longer your credit card has a balance, the more money you will be charged in interest.

There comes a point in just about everyone’s life when they make a late payment or completely forget to pay a bill. It is advised that you develop a payment schedule for your credit card, once you have obtained it. You will find that if you miss a payment or make a late payment, the minimum monthly payment that you are required to make may increase. This is where many individuals get into to financial trouble. Once the minimum monthly payment has exceeded an amount that a person is able to pay, they tend to stop making payments.

While credit cards are known and most popular for their convenience, they can also end up being a money trap. Once you have obtained a credit card, it is advised that you are careful with how you use it. Going over your line of credit and making late payments can cost you more money, but it can also have a negative impact on your credit score. If you are not careful, you may end up wishing that you never applied for a credit card in the first place.

Choosing and using a credit card may seem overwhelming, but it does not always have to be. By familiarizing yourself with the credit card that you are interested in obtaining and keeping a close eye on your spending habits, you may be able to reap the many benefits of having a credit card.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=75434&ca=Finances

Before Applying For A Visa Credit Card Consider The Following... By Robert Michael

Applying for a visa credit card means you should consider more things than just receiving a credit card. This is because there are many types of cards that have different incentives, bonuses, fees, and the like associated with them. So, you need to consider whether you need a visa credit card for your business, gas, frequent flyer miles, cash back, or your children. Whatever the reason you need a visa credit card, there is a card that will meet your needs and provide you with the credit you need. If you know what you want and need in a visa credit card before you begin applying, then you can simply apply for the cards that meet your needs.

There are some other things you will also need to keep in mind when applying for a visa credit card that include introductory APR, period of the intro APR, regular APR, balance transfers, annual fees, and the credit required for that particular card.

For instance, many credit card companies will promote their credit card with a low introductory APR. This means that the interest on the credit card is considerably lower, or free, for an introductory period of time and then it will change to the regular APR.

If you are considering applying for a card with a low introductory APR then make sure you know how long the introductory period lasts. This is very important and will affect the interest fees applied to your balance, so it is worth finding out before you get the card.

Also, if the introductory period APR is 3% and the regular APR is 20% then you probably want to simply skip this visa credit card or only use it during the introductory period. Make sure you evaluate the regular APR of the visa credit card while you are evaluating the introductory APR and the period of time it exists because these all go hand in hand.

Whether or not the visa credit card accepts balance transfers is also a question you will want to ask. If the card does accept balance transfers and has a low APR you can transfer your balances from other visa credit cards that have high APRs and save yourself money on interest rates.

You should also read the fine print regarding the visa credit card as well, especially the information regarding fees such as annul and over limit fees. You do not want a visa credit card with an annual fee because there are so many cards that do not charge these fees. Also, make sure you are aware of the fees associated with over limit and late payments so you know.

And finally, make sure you know the type of credit required for the cards you are applying for. If the cards require good to excellent credit and you have fair credit, then you will not be approved. This is because your credit score is used to determine whether or not you receive a credit card, and if you do not have the minimum score you will not receive it.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=74689&ca=Finances

What Credit Inquiries Do To Your Credit Score. By Dennis T. Cary

There are good and bad credit inquiries, some can take points off your credit score with each inquiry, while others have no effect at all. Too many of the bad inquiries and your credit can be destroyed, taking with it your chances for receiving a home, mortgage or personal loan.

Think back to all of the times you went out shopping for items like a new car, cell phone, home, apartment or insurance company. Each of these companies probably pulled your credit report and took a few points off of your credit score at the same time.

Although most credit inquiries take less than five points each time, this can still add up- especially if you have more than a few inquiries. Losing points on your credit score can cost you a lot of money over the years because you’ll end up paying higher interest rates and annual fees.

If you’re out shopping for cars and have applied at a few different dealerships in a two-week span, you don’t have to worry about your credit score dropping each time. You should only get up to a five point deduction because credit bureaus will count all inquiries in this time frame as one. But if you’re out shopping in a two week span for unrelated items- say a new car and an apartment- credit scoring will be affected with each inquiry.

Credit scoring is not affected at all if you are making inquiry as to where you stand. Whenever you order reports or request your one free copy per year, no points are taken off your credit score. You are not penalized for wanting to know what your credit history looks like, so take advantage of this. You should always know what your credit score is because it will give you a better idea of your chances for credit and loan approval. It will also alert you to fraud or any potential mistakes listed on your credit report if you experience a sudden point drop for reasons unknown to you.

Credit inquiries will remain on your credit report for up to two years. After this time period has passed, you can request they be removed. You can contact each of the three major credit bureaus- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion- to have this done.

To keep your credit in good standing, pay your bills religiously each month, keep your balances down and keep your credit inquiries to a minimum. Doing so will ensure lenders view you as someone they would be glad to do business with, rather than a huge credit risk.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=75620&ca=Finances

What Credit Inquiries Do To Your Credit Score. By Dennis T. Cary

There are good and bad credit inquiries, some can take points off your credit score with each inquiry, while others have no effect at all. Too many of the bad inquiries and your credit can be destroyed, taking with it your chances for receiving a home, mortgage or personal loan.

Think back to all of the times you went out shopping for items like a new car, cell phone, home, apartment or insurance company. Each of these companies probably pulled your credit report and took a few points off of your credit score at the same time.

Although most credit inquiries take less than five points each time, this can still add up- especially if you have more than a few inquiries. Losing points on your credit score can cost you a lot of money over the years because you’ll end up paying higher interest rates and annual fees.

If you’re out shopping for cars and have applied at a few different dealerships in a two-week span, you don’t have to worry about your credit score dropping each time. You should only get up to a five point deduction because credit bureaus will count all inquiries in this time frame as one. But if you’re out shopping in a two week span for unrelated items- say a new car and an apartment- credit scoring will be affected with each inquiry.

Credit scoring is not affected at all if you are making inquiry as to where you stand. Whenever you order reports or request your one free copy per year, no points are taken off your credit score. You are not penalized for wanting to know what your credit history looks like, so take advantage of this. You should always know what your credit score is because it will give you a better idea of your chances for credit and loan approval. It will also alert you to fraud or any potential mistakes listed on your credit report if you experience a sudden point drop for reasons unknown to you.

Credit inquiries will remain on your credit report for up to two years. After this time period has passed, you can request they be removed. You can contact each of the three major credit bureaus- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion- to have this done.

To keep your credit in good standing, pay your bills religiously each month, keep your balances down and keep your credit inquiries to a minimum. Doing so will ensure lenders view you as someone they would be glad to do business with, rather than a huge credit risk.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=75620&ca=Finances

Credit Card Debt Elimination - When To Consolidate Credit Card Debt By L. Sampson

Maybe you have a few too many credit cards, or perhaps you just can't keep your financial paperwork organized. When it seems like the bills are becoming overwhelming, you may want to consider consolidating your credit card debt. Here are some warning signs of debt overload:

You can't keep track of your bills.

If you have four, six or eight different account statements coming to your mail every month, it may be hard to keep track of when all the payments are due. Although an organized bill-paying system--including a calendar and central bill-paying location--can help, sometimes folks are just too busy or too overwhelmed to cope with all the paperwork. A debt consolidation service can help you organize your bills and limit your paperwork to just one single monthly payment.

You've stretched your budget.

Sometimes it might be a matter of spreading your money too thin. Have you ever waited to pay one bill because you needed the money to pay another bill? Have you ever borrowed from one credit card to pay another credit card company? If so, chances are your credit is overextended. If that's the case, a debt consolidation service can often help lower your interest rates and your minimum monthly payment, making it easier for you to pay your bill each month.

The phones have started ringing.

No matter what the reason--lack of organization or a stretched budget--once creditors start calling you and demanding payment, it's time to take a close look at your financial situation. At this point, you may have damaged your credit history and lowered your credit score. However, you can repair the damage with a debt consolidation company. The service can help you get your monthly payments back on track, and they can negotiate with your creditors so that fewer black marks are put on your credit report.

If you see any of these warning signs of debt overload in your own personal life, you may want to consider credit card consolidation. By utilizing a debt consolidation service--or consolidating your debt on your own with a loan--you'll improve your credit history, help avoid negative marks on your credit report and increase your chances of getting a favorable loan or credit card in the future.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=75259&ca=Finances