Consumers find charge cards very useful for buying online, as well as in-person transactions, so tha...

1. Smart Credit Card Tips You Need To Know
Consumers find charge cards very useful for buying online, as well as in-person transactions, so that
they do not need to use cash. If you are looking for some information to help you select and use your
credit card wisely, the following article will be quite helpful.
Before canceling a credit card and closing your account, ensure you understand how canceling it
affect your credit. Many times, closing an account leaves a negative mark on your credit record, and
should be avoided, even if you do not plan to ever use the account again. Also, maintain cards that
have most of your credit history.
Don't buy things that you can't pay for on a credit card. Just because you want a new flat-screen TV,
doesn't mean a credit card is the best way to buy it. Not only will you be saddled with interest, it
may cause your monthly payments to become too high for you to keep up with. Make decisions only
after thinking them over for a couple of days. If you do decide to make the purchase, see if the store
offers financing that is usually lower interest than your credit card.
Keep an eye on your credit rating. Good credit is considered to be a credit score over 700. Use the
credit you have in a smart way so that you can stay at this level. If you're not there yet, you can use
it to get there. Once your score exceeds 700, you will end up with great credit offers.
Don't think that interest rates they offer you are written in stone and cannot be changed. Just like
any other business, credit card companies are in competition with each other and have many
interest rates available to them. If you are unhappy with your current interest rate, call the bank or
company and ask for a lower one.
Talk to your bank about lowering interest rates. If, after speaking with a retention team member,
you are still unable to get a reduction, start looking elsewhere for a better rate. Once you locate one,
switch to a card company with better customer service.
If you have a spotty credit record, think about getting a secured card. Secured charge cards require
you to deposit money in advance to cover the charges you will make. Essentially, you're borrowing
your money and you pay interest on it. This is not a perfect situation, but it can help rebuild
damaged credit. If you are applying for this type of card, remain with a reputable company. These
companies might offer you one of their unsecured credit cards later, which helps you secure a better
score.
Prepaid cards should be avoided when you are seeking a secured credit card. Prepaid cards are

2. debit cards, not bank cards, so they don't affect your credit score. They do not offer any advantages
over a checking account and may charge additional fees. Choose a secured credit card (which
requires a deposit) instead. The company will report your account to the credit bureaus and benefit
your credit score.
Never send your credit card information through a fax machine. A fax can sit in the basket at the
recipient's office for hours, or even days, allowing a whole office of people access to your credit card
number. A lot of people will have access to stealing this number. Your credit card could then be used
to fund criminal activity or to make unauthorized purchases by the theft.
Negotiate with your credit card company about your interest rate. You may be able to get better
interest rates by negotiating with your credit card company. You have a good chance receiving a
lower APR if you have been making your payments in a timely manner.
After you have cancelled an account, completely destroy any associated cards. If you do not dispose
of it, you may find it falling into the wrong hands, which could lead to someone reopening this
account and running up a huge debt.
With any luck, this piece has offered the type of advice you have been seeking. It is important to
learn the importance of good credit and how to spend less than we earn before incurring too much
debt. Remember the tips you found in this article to improve your credit card experience.