The Woes Of Credit Card Holders And Salvation From 0%

October 8th, 2010 - 
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The Woes Of Credit Card Holders And Salvation From 0% APR Cards

A typical American household has over nine credit cards. You may be dragging a debt of $6,000, but many are worn out in the struggle to pay their credit balances of over $25,000. In 2006 alone, less than 42% of credit card holders paid their credit in full per month. If you are one of these deadbeats, read on.

The siren call of credit card companies

The offers of credit card companies are hard to resist. If you are getting your first credit card, you may have been enticed by the tantalizing baits of:

“freedom to earn triple rewards”
“get started with cash back when you apply now”
“the more you spend, the more you earn points or cash”
“low fixed rate with reward points”
“no penalty rates, no rate hikes for late payment”

The benefits also include car rental insurance and travel accident insurance and the convenience of paying for anything you might need if you happen to be in any other part of the globe.

Now who wouldnt fall for these tricky words? And the credit card companies also tell you that you wont lose a thing when you switch from earning cash to points and back. True, but ask other credit card holders if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. You may be getting some sad details.

Vicious Cycle

Credit card holders carry the burden of paying off loans, and before they can reach the finish line, they go again using their credit cards left and right, until they go bust.

This overwhelming cycle goes on without respite. Only those who take the bitter lesson start to think smart, spend less (unless it is necessary), and pay their credit cards debts on time to beat interest pile up.

There are stories of people who prefer to disappear from the face of the earth when they can no longer manage their debts. This act of desperation may not speak for all credit card holders, but this shows how difficult it is to cope with a life riddled with debts.

How to get back your sanity

Here are some useful tips to help you to organize your credit card debts before running to the mortgage companies:

Get all your credit cards and check the balances you have from each card. List all the current balances and get the minimum payment for each card. Rank each balance according to the lowest and highest interest rates.

Pay the credit with the lowest balance and go upwards to the next credit card with the second lowest balance. But dont expect to be debt-free in a year. It may take longer if you have maxed out on the number of credit cards.

Credit card holders tips

One technique is to apply for a 0% APR credit card and try to transfer your high balance to that new card. You can make minimum payment for the duration of the 0% APR.

Calendar the due date of the balance so you can transfer to another 0% APR card, BUT PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME to avoid interest rates that go as high $30 per month.

If you are getting a 0% APR card, read the small print and digest the facts about balance transfer fees. If the fee is less than your current charges, then get it.

People are wising up. Its about time to know the game that credit card companies are playing. So play smart and avoid the woes of majority of credit card holders.

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0% APR Credit Cards

5 Cons of Owning a 0 APR Credit Card

April 14th, 2010 - 
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If you have received an offer recently for a 0 APR credit card, you may have been very tempted to send in the form signed and ready to go. You may have seen the words 0 percent interest and jumped at the chance to shop for six months with impunity. You may even have thought that this was the answer to all your credit card or bank loan debt, allowing you to consolidate your bills and pay one low price with no interest. And all of these things may be true. However, there are some serious consequences that you need to know about before you blindly start spending with your new card.

1. Limited introductory period – Credit card companies who offer 0 APR cards cannot offer you this deal for very long or else they would not make any money off of you. So most deals last for six months, nine months, or even up to a year. This means that you will only pay 0 percent interest for this introductory period and no longer.

2. High interest rate – Very often, after the introductory period is over, the interest rate charged for use of your new credit card will be higher than the average rate. Usually, it is anywhere from nineteen to twenty-one percent interest, and perhaps a higher rate on cash advances and other transactions.

3. Penalty for late payments – If you pay your bill late or forget to pay it altogether anytime during the introductory period, you interest rate will immediately go up to a penalty rate. This could be as high as twenty to twenty-four percent on your entire balance.

4. Limited application of 0 APR – Some cards offer the 0 percent interest on all purchases made in the introductory period as well as on all balance transfers during this time. However, read the fine print because some only offer the 0 APR on balance transfers, and they charge a high rate on purchases.

5. Tricky conversion period – When it comes time to move from 0 APR to your regular interest rate, you may be charged interest on any unpaid balances from purchases during the introductory period.

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0% APR Credit Cards

0 APR credit cards are Not Just for Christmas

April 4th, 2010 - 
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0 APR credit cards are here to stay. Now that we’re well into the New Year we’ve learned (again) the lessons of the festive season. Zero interest credit is a nice idea, but why not extend it beyond your present credit card to the next, and the next. This seven point checklist will assure the clever consumer of having that constant low APR credit for years to come.

1. Read the small print. Make sure it matches the offers on the credit card’s advertising copy. In particular, check for clauses that differentiate between purchases and cash transfers, or even cash withdrawals. Check that the card doesn’t stipulate a ratio between purchases and cash, charging an excess if the cash activity rises above the purchase activity (that is usually the way it is biased, but check to make sure).

2. Keep to the agreed credit limit as specified in the agreement. Do not exceed the balance limit as specified on your original agreement, or that’ll be the trigger for extra charges.

3. Pay at least the minimum charge in full. Even better, set up a standing order or direct debit with your bank. You can arrange to have the minimum paid directly and electronically from your bank account every month.

4. Avoid late fees by paying on time. There is a danger with people who have the benefit of a 0% APR credit card that they will tend to become complacent about it and forget to pay it. Yes, it does happen. But every time a payment is received late credit card providers can and will charge a late fee. This can add up, especially if someone is habitually late. Again, an automatic direct debit from your bank account is the best answer.

5. Factor in any extras in the agreement, as stated in the small print (which you will have read). For example, an annual charge may be applied to offset the 0 APR. Some 0% APR cards do this but others do not. Bear in mind that the whole APR concept was meant to level the playing field as far as extra charges were concerned. By paying an annual charge for your card you are not truly getting a 0 APR card.

6. Make sure you have in mind a new low interest or 0 APR credit card waiting by to which you can transfer the balance of your present credit card. Why have 0 APR credit for 6 months or 12 months when you can have it for years and years? Always check the press and financial columns for new deals and credit card offers with this in mind. Join an Internet forum that specialises in such matters.

7. Make sure that you transfer the balance of your existing credit card to your new credit card in full and on time. In particular, allow for time to process the balance transfer and for all the paperwork involved (yes, even in the age of the Internet there is still a certain amount of paper involved!) and be careful to check that the opening balance allowed on your new 0 APR credit card is at least the same or exceeds the balance that you wish to transfer from your existing credit card, or the shortfall will cost you money!

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0% APR Credit Cards

0 Apr Credit Card Is It Really Zero For

March 17th, 2010 - 
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0 Apr Credit Card Is It Really Zero For Trouble?

In the financial industry, the number zero can be something thats either totally goodor totally bad. As for 0 APR credit cards, companies are primarily cashing in peoples interest for 0% interest (pun intended). But is everything good and nothing bad about 0 APR credit cards?

The Advantages of Using a 0 APR Credit Card

Balance Transfer You can make use of your new 0 APR credit card as a way of reducing payment for your other credit card debts. You can do this by transferring the balance of your old credit cards to the new one. Of course, make sure that you do get to pay off your debt within the allotted time!

Saving on Purchases Of course, the most obvious benefit in having a 0 APR credit card is being able to purchase anything for zero interest. You can even opt to pay the minimum amount required for several months if you wish, just as long as you do settle your credit card bills before the promotional period ends.

The Disadvantages of Using a 0 APR Credit Card
If youre not careful with the way you swipe your 0 APR credit card, your latest plastic money might just be your downfall.

Zero isnt Forever No-interest-offers dont last forever; when the promotional period ends, your card will just be like any other credit card in which youll be required to pay standard interest rates once more. It could even be worse if your 0% ends up with an interest rate thats twice as much as what youre paying for your other credit cards.

No to Balance Transfer You might belatedly realize that your intention of balance transfer is actually not allowed. Or, it could charge you with very high processing fees before you can be allowed to transfer the balance of your old credit card to your new one. To prevent this from happening, you should read the terms and conditions carefully before applying for a 0 interest credit card.

High Penalties Many 0 APR cards charge you high penalties if youre a delinquent payer. Worse, they can even cancel the zero interest offer at the slightest infraction you commit.

Uncontrollable Swiping Many individuals, upon getting their hands on their new 0 APR credit cards, are struck with swiping fever and end up shopping more than they need and certainly more than they can afford.

Tips for Choosing and Using a 0 APR Credit Card
No credit card is perfect. You need not feel bad just because you now know the limitations and problems you might face when using a 0 APR credit card. With the right attitude, youll still be able to take full advantage of a 0 APR credit card without having to suffer any of its disadvantages.

READ the terms and conditions carefully. Know what its interest rate would be when the promotional period ends. Know if youre allowed to make balance transfers and what repercussions youd face if you unintentionally fail in paying on time.

CHOOSE the 0 APR credit card that best fits your needs and budget.

DISCIPLINE is the key to beating the temptation of overspending. If you really want to indulge yourself with your new credit card, at least make purchases that are necessary, useful, and will last for a long time.

Hope you enjoy yourself with your new credit card!

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0% APR Credit Cards