Thursday, September 4, 2008

Do's & Don't of Credit Cards

GetRichSlowly has a list of Do's & Don'ts for credit cards and I agree on all of them.

  1. Learn to read the fine print. Read the legal stuff when you fill out the application, when you receive the card, and on any future mailings. Credit card terms and conditions can be confusing. If you don’t understand something, ask for help.
  2. Similarly, review your statement every month. Due dates, fees, and interest rates are subject to change. Reconcile transactions and keep an eye out for fraud. Many people — and I’m one of them — actually check their statements online several times a month. By paying attention, you can prevent small annoyances from becoming large hassles.
  3. As always, don’t be afraid to speak up. If you notice something strange on your bill, call customer service. If you want to dispute a charge, call customer service. If you want a rate reduction, call customer service. It never hurts to ask.
  4. Be wary of the special offers your credit card company sends you. Understand the teaser rates. Beware offers to skip a payment. Be suspicious of other products the company tries to push: insurance, fraud protection, etc. Many of these are bad deals for consumers.
  5. Finally, pay your bill on time and in full every month. If you are not yet in credit card debt, don’t start. Don’t rely on credit cards to support a lifestyle you cannot afford. Don’t resort to using a credit card because you can’t afford to pay cash for something — use a credit card because you can.
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