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Top 10 Credit Card Tips (Page 1 of 2)

The credit card has been one of the most popular inventions of this time, helping consumers acquire convenience and boosting consumer spending for the economy. However, credit cards have been exploited for the wrong reasons, and thus have become the main source of debt for many consumers. Thus, in order for credit cards to be beneficial, consumers would need to be well-informed on the proper usage of credit cards.

1. Pay off your outstanding balances each month

Rolling over outstanding balances will only result in snowballing debt. Credit card interest rates are amongst the highest as compared to other types of debt. With this, your cost of expenses is increased without any apparent benefit to you.

2. Transfer your high interest credit card balances to 0% APR credit cards

If your outstanding credit card balances are high, you should work out a balance transfer to other credit cards that offer introductory 0% APRs. This way, you can stagger monthly payments and pay off your credit card debt gradually without incurring additional interests.

3. Cut up high interest credit cards

It’s time you evaluate your credit card interests, and cut up those that charge high interest rates, no matter how wonderful their reward programs at. At the end of the day, the rewards attained will not equate the additional interests incurred.

4. Be careful with your credit limit

As your credit limit may be 2 or 3 times greater than your monthly income, it can be fairly easy for you to overspend. Thus, when using your credit card, be sure that you don’t charge more than what you can truly afford.

5. Check your credit card statements

Contrary to what you may believe, banks and credit card companies may make errors in their billing statements to you. Thus, it is best to have a habit of cross checking your credit card charges before making payment.

6. Automatic transfer payments

If your credit card is being used for grocery shopping, you can always arrange for an auto-payment with your bank to ensure that you always pay on time. However, you would still need to cross-check your credit card statements and make a complaint if you find any discrepancies.

7. No credit cards when window shopping

Do you have bad control over your shopping habits? If you are on a window shopping spree, it may be advisable not be bring your credit card. How else would you buy anything if you are out of cash with no credit cards? This is a good way to stop yourself from impulse purchases.

8. Be aware of your rights

Consumers are entitled to rights when it comes to making purchases. The government has set forth many guidelines for retailers in order to protect consumers. Thus, if you have paid for something which did not get sent to you, or if you purchase something that turns out to be faulty, you have every right to demand for a refund or make a report to the Federal Trade Commission.

Bad Credit Car Loan

If you’ve got bad credit, you’ve probably been told that there’s no way you could possibly secure a car loan and that the only way you could get a car would be to save up the money and pay for it all at once. While this might have been true in the past, it simply is not the case anymore. At one time, those who had bad credit couldn’t think of getting mortgages or loans. Now, even people with the worst possible credit who have gone through bankruptcies can get loans. The path to getting such a loan isn’t easy, but it can be done.

Bad Credit Car Loans from Dealerships

Most likely, you’ve seen the advertisements from local dealerships stating “no credit, no problem! We grant financing to anyone!” While some dealerships might be sincere when stating this, most exaggerate the claim. That’s because it actually isn’t as easy as they make it seem.

In a lot of cases, the dealership will require a down payment in order to even get financing. This down payment could be anywhere between $100 and $1000. Other dealerships won’t require the down payment and will, instead, give you a loan with a very high interest rate. With or without the down payment, you’ll still be looking at $200-$400 a month in payments.

Dealerships may make it seem like they are in it to help you. The fact is, however, that most dealerships really don’t have your best interest at heart. They’re mainly in the business to make money. They’ll take a risk and loan to a person with bad credit, but only if there’s a good chance they’ll make a lot of money in the process. Dealerships realize that there is money to be made by charging outrageously high interest rates. That’s why they even bother to loan to very risky people—it can be extremely profitable for them. And it comes at your expense.

Luckily for you, you have another option besides a dealership loan: you can go online and get a good car loan.

Bad Credit Car Loans Online

Before the internet, people with bad credit would have had to settle for high interest rates. That has, of course, changed. The online market is so competitive that lenders are forced to offer low interest rates to potential customers. Even those with bad credit can and do get loans with very fair interest rates.

When you get a loan directly from the dealership, you are often stuck with a very limited repayment plan. That’s not the case with online loans. You have the ability to negotiate with online lenders for a rate and repayment plan that is ideal for your situation. You also have the ability to request loans from many different lenders and aren’t limited to just one or two offers. That’s the beauty of the internet and online bad credit car loans: you can get what you need in a fair and quick way.

Since the internet is obviously prone to many scams, it is important for you to choose a loaner carefully. Generally speaking, you don’t want to go with a lender that you’ve never heard of before or one that insists on any kind of “up-front” payment. Also, stay away from lenders based overseas as these tend to almost always be a fake.

One you find lenders you can trust you should get as many legitimate quotes as possible so that you can get the best possible loan. Good luck!