What is a Credit Card?
A credit card allows you to buy things even though you might not have the money to pay for it right away. The company that gave you the card lets you spend up to an agreed sum and then makes additional money available to you as you pay off what you''ve spent. You must pay at least a minimum amount by the due date, generally once every month. You will pay a finance charge or interest on any amount you do not pay by the due date.Today our entire financial system relies on credit. Credit cards can help to make your life that little bit easier- you can use it to pay for goods or services, either over the phone, online or over the counter.
Credit cards can enable you to have that little extra spending power when and where you need it. In addition to paying for purchases you can also use your credit cards in order to withdraw cash from a cash machine, not only in this country but all over the world.
It is increasingly difficult to operate in the modern economy without a credit card. Credit cards allow people to manage emergencies, to shop conveniently in the High Street, by telephone or over the internet and are useful when travelling abroad.
With each credit card you will have a limit to the amount of money that you can spend on it. This is known as a ''credit limit''. You can withdraw money and pay for goods and services as much as you want up to your credit limit, effectively borrowing capital from your credit card provider.
Every month you will receive a credit card statement that will detail both your balance (the amount of money you have either withdrawn or spent) and any interest that has accrued upon it. You can then either pay off the full amount or make the minimum payment.
A credit card allows the cardholder to borrow as much money (up to their credit limit) as they like, when and where they like, without having to get permission from their bank manager.
All credit cards have finance charges for not paying your balance in full each month, but you could save a lot of money by shopping around for the credit card that offers you the best terms.
Shop for a card with an interest free period that gives you enough time to pay your bills on time without charging you interest. Credit cards with no interest free period start charging you fees as soon as you buy something on your credit card.
A credit card is convenient for making purchases. It is also the best way to create a credit history for you, and this is necessary to do things like buy a home.
It is very easy to lose control of your spending habits if you rely on credit cards too often. While they can be very useful, credit cards can also be risky. Even people who are usually good with their money get into trouble with credit cards. The problem is that people use their credit cards too often and let their debt add up. Then they can only pay back small amounts at a time. This ends up costing a lot of money in finance charges.
Before applying for a credit card, you should decide why you want one, and make sure you can use it wisely.
You may freely reprint this article provided the author''s biography remains intact:
About The Author
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.', 127, 'What is a Credit Card?, Credit, Credit articles, Credit information, about Credit, what is Credit, Credit Information', 'What is a Credit Card? plus articles and information on Credit
Credit Card Benefits and Drawbacks
Credit cards have both benefits and drawbacks. It is wise to consider both before applying for a credit card. While they can be very useful, credit cards can also be risky. Even people who are usually good with their money get into trouble with credit cards. A credit card can be useful, but may also end up putting you in a difficult financial situation if misused.Here are some of the benefits of credit cards:
Withdraw cash 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world.
Buy online. It is the quickest and easiest way, and you are protected against credit card fraud.
Repay in regular instalments. Typically, these incur interest.
Usually, there is an interest-free repayment period, which you can use to repay your debt in full, interest-free.
One of the main benefits of using a credit card rather than a debit card is the protection provided by the Consumer Credit Act. This says that if you have problems with goods or services you can get your money back from the card issuer if you can''t get it back from the supplier.
Some cards provide purchase protection insurance, which pays out if something you have bought with the card is lost, damaged, or stolen within ninety days of the date of purchase.
A credit card can cost nothing - if you pick a card that doesn''t charge an annual fee and you always pay the bill in full every month.
A credit card can save you money if you choose one that earns you cash every time you buy something. How much cash you get back is calculated as a small percentage of the amount you have spent on the card. Some cards offer incentives other than cash - Air Miles or shopping vouchers, for instance.
Even if you do not pay your monthly bill in full, a credit card can be cheaper than running an overdraft on your current account, especially if your bank charges a monthly fee as well as interest when you overdraw.
Using a credit card can work out cheaper than using traveller''s cheques or foreign currency to pay for things abroad. This is because the exchange rate used by card companies to convert foreign spending into sterling is better than normal tourist rates. However, because of credit card charges for cash withdrawals, a debit card is better if you want to use plastic to buy currency, whether over the counter or from a foreign cash-machine.
You can give to charity for free if you sign up for a charity credit card.
Credit cards are often cheaper than loans for short-term borrowing. You pay interest on the remaining debt, not the full amount - and there are no early redemption penalties.
Credit cards offer flexibility to match uneven income and expenditure patterns: you choose what to pay off each month, between the minimum and the total outstanding.
Their consolidated accounting enables one cheque to settle multiple transactions ? while all appear neatly on one pre-prepared statement each month.
There is an automatic ''interest free'' period per statement period.
Credit cards enable remote purchasing via the internet, by telephone or mail order.
Credit cards can include additional benefits like insurance cover on purchases, cash-back, AirMiles, Nectar or Reward points, and holiday discounts.
Here are some of the drawbacks of using a credit card:
Credit cards can be unnecessarily costly.
Credit cards may be expensive for cash withdrawals
Credit cards may be expensive for foreign currency purchases.
Their credit limits can be insufficient for your requirements.
They encourage a ''pay now, worry later'' mentality and make it too easy to get into debt.
Credit cards are very open to fraudulent use.
You may freely reprint this article provided the author''s biography remains intact:
About The Author
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.', 127, 'Credit Card Benefits and Drawbacks, Credit, Credit articles, Credit information, about Credit, what is Credit, Credit Information', 'Credit Card Benefits and Drawbacks plus articles and information on Credit
