| Owning a credit card can be quite an advantage. | | | | more, be sureto visit: Getting a credit card is a big |
| Whethermaking online purchases, booking an air ticket | | | | responsibility |
| or a hotelroom on the phone or simply being in need of | | | | Owning a credit card can be quite an advantage. |
| someemergency cash, having a credit card can be a | | | | Whethermaking online purchases, booking an air ticket |
| big help.However, getting a credit card is also a | | | | or a hotelroom on the phone or simply being in need of |
| hugeresponsibility and if you don't keep an eye on | | | | someemergency cash, having a credit card can be a |
| yourspending habits, credit cards can create some | | | | big help.However, getting a credit card is also a |
| seriousproblems. Here is an excellent list of tips on | | | | hugeresponsibility and if you don't keep an eye on |
| propercredit card use and if you follow these, you will | | | | yourspending habits, credit cards can create some |
| likelystay out of trouble and your credit card will be | | | | seriousproblems. Here is an excellent list of tips on |
| ablessing instead of a curse: | | | | propercredit card use and if you follow these, you will |
| 1. When you make a purchase with the credit card, itis | | | | likelystay out of trouble and your credit card will be |
| akin to taking a loan from your bank. What youhave | | | | ablessing instead of a curse: |
| borrowed has to be returned - so do not borrow | | | | 1. When you make a purchase with the credit card, itis |
| beyondyour capacity to pay it back. | | | | akin to taking a loan from your bank. What youhave |
| 2. Always be aware of your outstanding credit | | | | borrowed has to be returned - so do not borrow |
| cardbalances. This will help you determine whether you | | | | beyondyour capacity to pay it back. |
| canmake additional purchases. Even small purchases | | | | 2. Always be aware of your outstanding credit |
| can reallyadd up to big balances and substantial | | | | cardbalances. This will help you determine whether you |
| interest charges. | | | | canmake additional purchases. Even small purchases |
| 3.Any credit card receipts should be kept until you | | | | can reallyadd up to big balances and substantial |
| cancompare them to your monthly statement. If you | | | | interest charges. |
| find anypurchases you did not make, or higher charges | | | | 3.Any credit card receipts should be kept until you |
| than those onthe receipt, contact your credit card | | | | cancompare them to your monthly statement. If you |
| company immediately. | | | | find anypurchases you did not make, or higher charges |
| 4. don't give your credit card to anyone, not | | | | than those onthe receipt, contact your credit card |
| evenfriends and family. Its not that you cant trust | | | | company immediately. |
| thesefolks but it would be really difficult to track | | | | 4. don't give your credit card to anyone, not |
| purchasesif you are not the only one making them. | | | | evenfriends and family. Its not that you cant trust |
| 5. don't ever borrow more than your ability to pay | | | | thesefolks but it would be really difficult to track |
| itback. If you do and consequently arent able to pay | | | | purchasesif you are not the only one making them. |
| itback, it can hurt your future ability to obtain | | | | 5. don't ever borrow more than your ability to pay |
| otherforms of loans such as home mortgages, car | | | | itback. If you do and consequently arent able to pay |
| loans etc. | | | | itback, it can hurt your future ability to obtain |
| 6. Pay your credit card bills on time or even | | | | otherforms of loans such as home mortgages, car |
| beforethey are due. Doing so will not only help improve | | | | loans etc. |
| yourcredit scores, but also help avoid additional | | | | 6. Pay your credit card bills on time or even |
| costsassociated with late payment charges and | | | | beforethey are due. Doing so will not only help improve |
| accrued interest. | | | | yourcredit scores, but also help avoid additional |
| 7. Try to have your credit card bills paid in fullevery | | | | costsassociated with late payment charges and |
| month. To ensure this, budget your credit | | | | accrued interest. |
| cardpurchases on a monthly basis and then don't allow | | | | 7. Try to have your credit card bills paid in fullevery |
| yourpurchases to exceed that amount. | | | | month. To ensure this, budget your credit |
| 8.Keep your credit cards for new purchasing. don't pay | | | | cardpurchases on a monthly basis and then don't allow |
| onecredit card bill with a different credit card. This | | | | yourpurchases to exceed that amount. |
| willinevitably lead to more charging and higher balances. | | | | 8.Keep your credit cards for new purchasing. don't pay |
| Connie Gutchrif is the President of FN Credit - An | | | | onecredit card bill with a different credit card. This |
| excellentresource for information on credit. To learn | | | | willinevitably lead to more charging and higher balances. |