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How to Avoid Piling Credit card Debts
Most people assume that owning a credit card means that you'll be swarmed in debt but this is not always true. Let's explore the reasons why.
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1. Read the Fine Print
Reading through the terms and conditions that come with opening a new credit card is important so you can ensure that you are getting favorable terms compared to what competitors are offering (this would require you do a little digging beforehand). For instance, you can find out what interest rates other issuers are offering and at the risk of stating the obvious, go for the credit card with the lowest interest rate.
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2. Avoid Cash Advances
Credit card issuers prefer that you use your card for making purchase payments, if instead, you withdraw cash at an ATM, for instance, you get charged a transaction fee, finance charges and a higher interest rate. It’s the most expensive transaction you can make with a credit card.
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3. Avoid Putting Medical Bills On Your Credit Cards
Medical bills may show up unexpected but putting them on your credit card is not the answer. Doing these will cost you a lot of money in interest instead, call your doctor or hospital’s billing department and ask about your options, hospitals usually have a structure for interest-free monthly payment plans.
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4. Negotiate A Lower Interest
The better your credit card score the lower interest you should have to pay. If your credit score has improved and you have always cleared your bills on time, it might be time to give your credit card issuer a call. Most credit card issuers provide varying interest rates to cardholders based on their credit score. Look up your credit score by logging into your credit card issuers site then compare with the varying interest rates your issuer offers to find where you belong.
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5. Stay on a budget
Consumers are more likely to spend more money when they pay by credit card, this is said to be because people do not experience the abstract pain of payments. Staying on a budget is all based on your self-regulation but you can consider applying the following tips:
Monitoring your payments, removing the autofill card option from your online shopping option, never using more than 30% of your available credit. Added to that If you can’t afford it without a credit card don’t buy it, limit the number of credit cards you have so your payments become easier to track.
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6. Link a bank account & Turn on Autopay
Paying off your balance each month helps you avoid interest completely and improves your credit score. Using an autopay feature ensures that you never miss a payment and therefore never have to worry about paying extra in interest.
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7. Have backup savings or investments
Emergencies are one of the reasons people go into credit card debt therefore building a safety net by saving or investing in appreciating assets will ensure that whatever the future throws at you, you’ll have the capacity to return a serve.
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IDEAS CURATED BY
Writer, artist, Accountant and a forever learner. Learning, loving, Hoping.
CURATOR'S NOTE
These Ideas show how to enjoy the rewards that come with using a credit card while also avoiding the threat of drowning in debt.
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