5 Things Your Credit Card Company Keeps Quiet About


Credit Cards can bankrupt you if you let them run away from you. The various Credit Cards companies are in it for profit so they will not generally alert you to things you can do to save yourself money.

Here are a few secrets that the card companies try to keep to themselves:

  • Minimum Payments - If you only make the minimum payment appearing on your credit card statement, then on an average balance of $4,000 each month, it will take you over 40 years to repay the balance. It means there is no real time set down for you to pay the debt back.

    It's an open-ended type system and it is in the interest of your credit card company to let you pay only the minimum amount, because they get high interest on the outstanding amount month by month.

    It is in their interest that you are in debt, because this is their business. Once you pay back your debt, they no longer have an income. Most credit card companies will let you pay off your credit card balance forever if you let them.

    In fact, a lot of credit card companies do not like you to have your credit card at a nil balance from month to month because it slashes their income considerably.

  • Just Keeps Going - When you take out a normal loan it is usually for a particular term and therefore your repayments are geared to clear the loan by the end of the term. With credit cards however, there is no fixed term and therefore there is no end set down. Someone said it's like the energizer bunny seen on TV that just keeps going, and going and going and going.
  • Teaser rates - Credit card companies usually have what is known as a "teaser rate". This is a low rate, which encourages you to take out a card. After a period, (usually 6 months) it's bumped up to a very high rate. This introductory credit card rate is heavily advertised, but what you don't see is the fine print.

    The fine print (which is so small that you need a magnifying glass to read it) clearly sets out the conditions, and one of these is that the rate will increase. Be careful, because like any other offer or business opportunity put before you - if it sounds too good to be true, it generally is.

  • Before Due Date - Remember that credit card payments are due mostly on the last day of the month or on the first day of the next month, or on the date shown on the credit card statement. You must ensure your payment reaches them before that due date or you will be hit with a late charge. What also happens is that you will be charged interest on the entire balance from the time the balance was debited on to your credit card account.

    It is very difficult for you to win with your credit card in this type of scenario. The moral is to make sure you pay your credit card off so there is a nil balance each month and if you cannot afford to do that, then always pay the minimum amount and pay it by the due date.

  • Watch Promotions - You need to watch promotions where credit card companies offer you incentives to transfer your credit card balance to their card. They usually entice you with a lower rate of interest and it really sounds like a generous offer. However, just check that there are no catches.

    With some cards, if you don't charge something new on the new card each month, the interest jumps up to the regular rate for that credit card, which is usually very high. If you make a late payment, the promotional rate disappears and you will be hit with the regular high rate. You have to carefully check out what's in the offer, and if necessary ask questions before you accept the proposal put before you, however attractive.


  • Copyright 2005 StartRunGrow
    http://www.startrungrow.com

    StartRunGrow (http://www.startrungrow.com) is a global online information organisation that specialises in creating, developing and marketing business help information specifically with the aim of "making business easier" for entrepreneurs around the world. The StartRunGrow objective is to become a dominant player in the business help arena providing end to end solutions for the millions of small and medium businesses worldwide who continue to struggle daily with the difficulties of starting, running and growing a successful business.



    RELATED LINKS

    Accept Credit Card Payment Online

    Accept credit card payment online and increase sales by 400% or more.... Find out how ...

     

    Advanta Credit Cards

    Apply for an Advanta credit card with 0% APR, rewards and cash back.

     

    American Express Credit Card Application

    Apply online for a new AMEX rewards credit card. See special offers.

     

    Best Airline Miles Credit Card

    Earn Frequent Airline Miles for Every Dollar Spent with No Annual Fee.

     

    Best Cash Back Credit Card

    Earn Up to 5% Cash Back on Every Day Purchases. Apply for Yours Today.

     

    Best Reward Credit Card

    Compare & Apply for the Best Reward Credit Cards with Up to 5% Cash Back Rewards and more.

     

    Business Credit Card Online Application

    Compare Business Credit Cards from All Major Banks. Apply Online Now

     

    Chase Credit Card Application

    Find Credit Card Applications from Chase & Apply Online in Seconds.

     

    Citi Credit Card Application

    Citibank offers credit cards that have 0% APR balance transfer options, Rewards, Cash Back, and much more

     

    Credit Card Application For Bad Credit

    Great card for bad credit just got better. 8.9% APR, instant decision.

     

    Credit Card Balance Transfer Deal

    Great Rates: Balance Transfers and Purchases. Capital One Credit Card

     

    Debit Cards

    Control Your Spending with a debit card. Guaranteed Approval.

     

    Discover Credit Card Offer

    Discover Credit Card Offers with 0% for 12 months, no fees & cash back.

     

    Gas Credit Card Application

    Save money at the gas pump with a new gas credit card. Apply now.

    Fast Easy Payday Loan

    Get the fast cash you need with an easy payday loan. Compare and apply

     

    Hotel Rewards Credit Card

    Earn Free Stays with a Hotel Rewards Credit Card. Apply Online Now.

     

    HSBC Credit Card Application

    Get 0% Intro APR, No Annual Fee, Great Service, Benefits. Apply Now.

     

    Low Interest Credit Card List

    Compare & Apply for Credit Cards w/ 0% Intro APR for Up to 15 Months

     

    Master Card Application

    Apply for MasterCard Credit Cards with 0% APR, Cash Back & No Fees.

     

    No Annual Fee Credit Card

    0% APR with No Annual Fee. Compare No Fee Credit Cards & Apply Online.

     

    Online Car Loan Application

    Loans and Refinancing for New and Used Cars. Online Approval.

     

    Online Debt Consolidation Services

    Consolidate your debts today - ease the strain of monthly bills.

     

    Online Foreign Currency Trading

    FOREX is a serious game. Play it with the pros. Start with just $50. The best trading platform available today. Start Trading and see why.

     

    Online Mortgage Application

    Apply online for a mortgage for your home. It's fast and easy. Great Rates!

     

    Online Visa Credit Card Application

    Compare & Apply for Visa Credit Cards with 0% APR and No Annual Fee.

     

    Prepaid Credit Card

    Get a Prepaid Credit Card with Free Direct Deposit. No Credit Check.

     

    Shopping Reward Credit Card

    Shopping Reward Credit Card. Fast Online Credit Card Application ... You have found the best shopping reward credit card site on the Internet!

     

    Student Credit Card Application

    Pay 0 Interest for 6 Months & Earn Rewards with a Student Credit Card.

     

    Travel Rewards Credit Card

    Compare Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Apply Now and Start Earning Miles.


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Boston Globe

    Credit crunch: UBS piles $7.5bn on to its write-down bill
    guardian.co.uk, UK - 5 hours ago
    The Swiss bank said that if it managed to break even in the second quarter it would only be due to an unexpected tax credit. The bank, once renowned for its ...
    Tax Credit Saves UBS From Large Loss TheStreet.com
    Helped by tax credit, UBS expects to beat analyst forecasts for ... International Herald Tribune
    Tax credit to save UBS from another hefty loss Reuters UK
    Times Online - BBC News
    all 345 news articles


    Javno.hr

    CGFS calls for credit ratings change
    Financial News, UK - 19 hours ago
    According to the report: "credit rating information should support, not replace, investor due diligence; CRAs should enhance the information underlying ...
    Builder Toll Bros. has its credit rating slashed The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
    Louisiana's credit rating upgraded WDAM-TV
    SEC’s effort to ease reliance on credit raters is limited by host ... FinancialWeek (subscription)
    NTV - Wall Street Journal Blogs
    all 224 news articles


    RTE.ie

    Mortgages: Bank of England warns credit squeeze will tighten
    guardian.co.uk, UK - Jul 3, 2008
    Britain's consumers and businesses are gripped by an ever-tightening credit crunch as banks withdraw mortgage packages and tighten lending conditions, ...
    Credit crisis: mortgage conditions set to get worse, says Bank of ... Telegraph.co.uk
    Bank survey finds credit squeeze set to intensify Reuters UK
    British credit conditions to get tighter, BOE survey finds MarketWatch
    Mirror.co.uk - The Herald
    all 174 news articles


    AFP

    Credit Mutuel makes firm offer for Citibank in Germany: sources
    AFP - 12 hours ago
    PARIS (AFP) — Credit Mutuel of France has made a firm bid for the German retail banking activities of US giant Citigroup, which operates in Germany under ...
    Commerzbank drops out Thomson Merger News (subscription)
    UPDATE 1-Deutsche Bank sole German bid for Citi unit-sources Reuters
    Commerzbank Not Bidding For Citigroup German Operations -Sources CNNMoney.com
    Bloomberg
    all 22 news articles


    Consumers seek ways to tighten credit
    Financial Times, UK - 1 hour ago
    By Alice Ross and Elaine Moore Consumers are turning to products that can improve their credit rating or secure credit without a good rating, ...


    Credit Card Overhauls Seem Likely
    New York Times, United States - 1 hour ago
    By JANE BIRNBAUM Consumer advocates say regulation of the credit card industry has long been without teeth. But as card holders struggle under the weight of ...


    Credit where credit is due and unions deserve more help
    Scotsman, United Kingdom - 5 hours ago
    This week, for instance, it proposed relaxing the restrictions imposed on credit unions. The changes would make it easier for low-income families to access ...
    First Calgary Savings plans partnership with BC credit unions Calgary Herald
    Envision Financial and First Calgary Savings enter partnership ... Northern Sentinel
    all 3 news articles


    Stocks dismal as worries escalate about oil, credit
    San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 23 hours ago
    ... with the major indexes again posting losses as worries about rising oil prices and the fallout from the credit crisis dogged the market. ...


    UBS faces more US credit writedowns
    Financial Times, UK - 3 hours ago
    By Haig Simonian in Zurich UBSconfirmed yesterday that it faced more heavy writedowns on its US credits, meaning that it would break even or make a loss in ...


    Best Syndication

    Bad Credit Loans: Hassle Fee Finance Despite Having Bad Credit
    Best Syndication, CA - 10 hours ago
    If you are denied any financial assistance only due to bad credit problems, then here is a good new for you. The reason being lenders are now offering Bad ...
    Loans For People With Bad Credit: Improves The Credibility Best Syndication
    Still There Is A Unique Opportunity For Bad Credit History Best Syndication
    Smart and Instant Money for all your Needs Best Syndication
    Best Syndication - Best Syndication
    all 11 news articles

    Credit - Google News

    home page | article index | site map
    Credit  |  Currency Trading  |  Debt Consolidation  |  Debt Relief  |  Insurance  |  Investment  |  Leasing  |  Loans  |  Mortgage and Refinance  |  Personal Finance  |  Real Estate  |  Stocks and Mutual Funds  |  Taxes

     

    © Copyright 2006 - SmarteCredit.Com. All rights reserved