Using Credit Cards Wisely


"I think money was stolen from my card" or "I might have blocked my card in the ATM" - these are frequent problems that bank customer-support officers usually hear from agitated clients. Incorrect use of credit cards or wrong interpretations of their functions are frequent even after tens of years of credit-card extensive use. Actually, there are 4 most frequent causes for problems; one is related to overspending, the second is about missing money; this is usually connected to the 3rd problem - unauthorized use and finally there is the issue of forgotten information. All these problems are interconnected and can lead to serious financial problems. However, there are a few simple things that you can do in order to avoid hassle.

First and foremost, remember that your credit card has a limit. When you open a credit line you will be given a certain credit limit that can vary from twice your monthly income to 3 or maybe 4 times that income, depending on past credit history. However, do not spend more than you can pay back. At the end of each month you will have to pay-back the borrowed money and there will be no exceptions from the rule. So lesson number one is "spend within limits".

The second thing you need to do is keep a record of your expenditures. Keep bank statements, receipts and carbons in a safe place and at the end of each month make a calculation of your deposits and withdrawals. If there is any discrepancy between the two, make sure to contact your issuer bank immediately and solve the situation. Most people find out that they have forgotten about a certain payment that was made with the card, yet you may find out more important information than this.

This brings us to the next issue - the unauthorized use of credit cards. This is a wide problem mainly due to theft. It is safe to keep your credit cards in a wallet, separately from any other papers so that you do not lose cards; it is also recommended that you make sure there is no one watching over your shoulder when you type you personal identification number and off course there is the rule of never giving out the PIN to anybody. Unauthorized use is not only related to theft. Young children should never be given the number and/or the PIN of a credit card. If they are still not aware of the value and importance of money you may find yourself paying for useless items or services. So rule no.2 is Never Give out Your PIN.

There are many things we need to remember and keep track of. One of these things is credit card information such as name of issuer, year and month of expiration, credit card number and PIN and the help-line phone number. If you feel there is too much data to memorize it is best to have everything written down and kept in a safe place like a deposit box or your telephone - there are telephones that offer a special notebook feature which can only be accessed by introducing a code and where you can store data safely. Therefore, another thing you need to do is Keep Records of Important Information.

Managing credit cards is not child's play. You will need to keep good track of your money if you do not want to overspend or lose track of expenditures. You also need to learn that your money is your business and thus attention needs to be paid when giving out credit card identification information. Last, but just as important, you need to keep in handy support-centre contact information in case you need to report irregularities or you have questions to ask. Attention and common sense is actually all you need in order to use a credit card wisely.

This article has been provided courtesy of Creditor Web. Creditor Web offers great www.creditorweb.com/creditcards/articles">credit card articles available for reprint and other tools to help you search and compare www.creditorweb.com/">credit card offers.


MORE RESOURCES:


ABS comes alive as credit card, auto investors return
Reuters - 9 hours ago
Several measures by the Federal Reserve aimed at bolstering liquidity in the US credit markets after a lengthy series of interest rate cuts have helped to ...
Investment firms' borrowing at fairly steady pace The Associated Press
Fed's Direct Loans to Banks Climb to Record Level (Update2) Bloomberg
Fed's Liquidity Initiative: Knowns and Unknowns Financial-Planning.com
DealBreaker.Com - The Associated Press
all 133 news articles


BBC News

Credit Agricole seeks $7.72 billion in new capital
The Associated Press - 16 hours ago
PARIS (AP) — Credit Agricole said Thursday it plans to sell $7.72 billion worth of assets and named a new leader at its investment bank. ...
Credit Agricole to restructure Calyon RTE.ie
Credit Agricole to Sell Assets, Says Litzler Resigns (Update2) Bloomberg
Credit Agricole calls corp banking 'core strength' as it details ... Forbes
guardian.co.uk - Forbes
all 302 news articles


Brocktown News

House panel votes to extend child credit, energy tax breaks
The Associated Press - 6 hours ago
The bill would increase eligibility for the refundable tax credit in 2008. That's the credit that becomes available when the child tax credit, ...
Renewable energy tax bill advances in US House Reuters
all 64 news articles


Bradford & Bingley 'A-1' counterparty credit rating still on ...
Forbes, NY - 13 hours ago
MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said Bradford & Bingley Plc.'s 'A-1' short-term counterparty credit rating remains on ...
S&P places EDS ratings on credit watch Hindu Business Line
Tesco downgraded to 'A', outlook cut to negative - S&P Forbes
Pilgrim's Pride ratings affirmed with negative outlook - S&P Forbes
Forbes - Forbes
all 221 news articles


CreditCards.com

Retailers assail credit card fees in House hearing
Houston Chronicle, United States - 7 hours ago
The exchange, which took place before a House Judiciary Committee antitrust task force, shined a light on a lesser-known aspect of the credit card industry: ...
Democrat backs credit card transaction fee bill Reuters
Ahead of the Bell: Credit card fee fight CNNMoney.com
CONSUMER WATCH Retailers: Stop MasterCard, Visa from price-fixing MarketWatch
Digital Transactions - CreditCards.com
all 56 news articles


BBC News

Market Regulators, Read This Now
FOXBusiness - 5 hours ago
The credit rating agencies knocked down within weeks to junk status almost half of the subprime mortgage bonds issued in 2006 and the first half of 2007; ...
Ambac Responds to Moody's Comment on Second Lien RMBS WELT ONLINE
Bond insurer shuns credit swaps FT Alphaville
MBIA posts huge loss on credit derivatives Reuters
BBC News - Reuters
all 256 news articles


Standard & Poor's restores SD credit rating
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 7 hours ago
By Jennifer vigil Standard & Poor's, the credit agency that suspended San Diego's rating in the midst of its financial turmoil, restored the city's credit ...
San Diego credit rating restored after 4-year suspension San Jose Mercury News
S&P Restores City's Credit Rating KGTV, 10News.com
Stratton touts stronger credit rating Albany Times Union
San Diego Business Journal - Bizjournals.com
all 37 news articles


Bank accounts cost more than credit cards
The Age, Australia - 12 hours ago
The cost of bank accounts, at $1.7 billion, is greater than the $1.1 billion in credit card fees. HOUSEHOLDS are paying $4.4 billion in bank fees and a big ...
Banks take $10b in fees Melbourne Herald Sun
Borrowers dig deep as banks pile on the fees Sydney Morning Herald
Reduced fees with new credit card from Abbey Thrifty Scot (press release)
Ninemsn - The Age
all 45 news articles


WaMu reduces home equity credit to homeowners
Bizjournals.com, NC - 3 hours ago
Washington Mutual Inc. has slashed or suspended $6 billion in available home equity credit to its customers in an effort to reduce its risk in a flailing ...

credit - Google News

site map
Nocommentweb.com © 2000 - Partners

psychology help | snus | ekspress lån | express loan | Santander Spain | cheap insurance | snus|