Finance Tips

The least unpleasant and expected thing in our financial life is called DEBT. To be honest, most people would not want to fall into debt trap in the first place, but very challenging financial situation these days may put less earned individuals to leave with no choice but to have a debt in one degree or another. Debt can do a good when it is properly and strictly managed, but in most cases, that is not how it is going. Credit card usage may often exceed to those less important purchases, at most of the time, they do not need to purchase it in the first place. Perhaps people may think they only need to pay fractions of what they have spend on a monthly basis, but they often not realize that many credit card providers charge less noticeable rather big interest rate over Central Bank’s official interest rate. And the amounts multiplies every month and most people only realized this when they have securely trapped over seems never ending debt payments. People with multi credit cards often fall into this situation with multi payment needs to be taken care every month, and before they realize, irritating and annoying phone calls and reminders from debt collection agencies have been on their back all the time. When these things happened, perhaps debt consolidation is the only way out for them. Why is this so? I will tell you why.

When you deal with debt consolidator, they will offer you debt recovery solutions as your immediate finance remedial actions to take. With these solutions, you will definitely be freed from those annoying reminder calls since all those calls will no longer there. Why? It is because all those debts have been settled by the debt consolidator.  So you will only have a single monthly payment to be settled every month with lowered interest rate which will significantly improve your credit score.

There are many sources where you can file a first time credit card application. These include banks, credit companies and other agencies. The Internet is the easiest way to locate your preferred credit card company.

When applying for a credit card, most companies need information such as name, age, address, social security number, any former address of yours, occupation, employer, and annual household income. These details are adequate for the credit company to verify your credit history, which is the major criterion for approval or rejection. Annual percentage rate (APR) often varies with your credit score. That is, a high score will get you a low APR.

Most first credit card application forms contain certain clauses written in fine print. Company salesmen are often outspoken about the advantages of their transactions. But these fine prints often carry conditions that are disadvantageous to you. One important thing to check is the APR. Most credit companies tempt you with a low initial APR score. Remember that it is the long term APR you should weigh most, not the short term.

A US citizen who is 18 years of age or older (the limit is lower in some states) has the legal right to demand a credit card with any US bank. Generally, credit card providers do not want a bank account to get a card. It is also possible to request many credit cards at a time. But multiple applications can affect the credit score negatively.

With great competition existing in the credit card market, most credit card providers look for an easy means to attract new businesses. They provide special gifts on many occasions such as Christmas and holiday shopping seasons.

What would you say if I tell you that credit cards could be beneficial for you in some situations? While many will advise you stay away from credit cards, there are specific situations where getting a credit card is highly recommendable, if you are struggling with your monthly bills, something no unusual nowadays because of the world economic state, then consider apply for a credit card with zero APR on balance transfers.

Credit cards providers are very active offering promotions and uncountable bonus that you can get just by using your ones, after all their business is all about you using them. However, after a while our human nature is exposed and we realize that we are carrying to much debt, we crossed the line and it is time to do something about it, if we do not do it, then we will pay a higher monthly interest rate that, sooner or later will be impossible to pay with the well know consequences, poor credit score or bad credit records for example.

Zero APR balance transfer credit card then, are a good alternative if we are planning getting control of our finance, as you can see 0% interest rate sounds too good from the beginning, while this is undoubtedly true there are still some aspects to be analyzed and, we have listed them for easy research.

1.- A zero APR for a period of time of 1-2 months is not useful at all, then you need to apply with a credit card provider offering you a zero APR for a span of time as long as possible.

2.- It could be obvious but if you have to pay any fee for balance transfer, then “0% APR balance transfer” is not true, just make sure that you pay nothing, zero, nada for these kind of transactions.

3.- After the introductory period of time with 0% APR (as long as…) you will start paying the regular APR, then the one offering the lower regular APR got some extra points in your credit card providers list.

4.- Are you allowed to transfer the entire balance of your high interest credit card, or just a part of it? you will not get all the benefits if you can transfer just some part of your balance.

5.- Are the purchases made with your credit card 0% APR? it is on your best interest having zero APR on your purchases as well and, as a bonus, a good reward program would work very good.

6.- Are you going to pay on time? if you fail making your payments on the due date, you will be charged the regular interest rate, instead of the zero APR introductory rate offered.

To sum up, consumers having credit cards debt have an option with 0% APR cards, they just need to be sure they are getting a zero APR for as long as possible, that there is no payment for balance transfer and that they can transfer the total balance and not just part of it, then getting a low regular interest rate after the introductory span of time offer is highly recommendable, and as usual, understand that by paying on time it is the only way to keep the zero APR offer while building good credit history.

There are actually large numbers of credit cardholders who do regularly use their cards without any understanding of the different fees involved, let alone what the APR is and how it functions. The APR or annual percentage rate determines what cards many new users will choose as well. Of course, either way, a credit card’s annual percentage rate will have an impact on what the costs associated with card use will be year after year. The APR’s role in this may be overlooked or not fully realized by cardholders.

The first question for many cardholders is what exactly this annual percentage rate or APR is and it works. Essentially, this term describes the amount or rate of interest that you will end up paying for any carryover balances on your card’s account. Moreover, the APR is also affected by the use of added features like cash advances and balance transfers.

A typical APR is calculated on a yearly basis. Each month’s balance and the amount that is carried over from month to month through the year are factored into the APR will different significantly at times and make the amounts you pay differ as well.

Multiple APRs

As you become more aware of APR another fact quickly comes to your attention, particularly if you have not applied for a card yet but you’ve been looking around at various offers. It is not unusual to find cards that carry more than one APR. There about four distinct types of APRs. Each one is connected to specific finance and account situations. As a result, there will be clear differences between the ways each of these APRs is used by different credit card companies (if they even have all types in use on their cards).



Here is a short list of APRs that are implemented by many credit card providers:

Most cards have separate annual percentage rates for basic purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances. In most cases, you will have to pay more for the extra services each year than you would have to pay in interest for your normal charges.

The introductory APR is what it says it is. You actually pay this rate for a limited period established by the card issuer immediately after you are approved for your card. Later, after whatever grace or no-interest period concludes, your normal APR will go into effect.

Tiered APRs are a type of APR that operates at different levels based upon your current outstanding balance. A different rate is charged at one dollar amount versus another, making the rate variable over time.

Your card may include an adjustable APR called a penalty APR. This type of APR is activated when you, as the cardholder, habitually make late payments, or fail to adhere to some other terms outlined in your credit card policy.

The Difference Between ‘Fixed’ and ‘Variable’

Another distinction made between one APR and another involves whether it is a “fixed” or “variable” APR. With the former, you will find that the rate remains at a generally constant level. The only exception to this is when the credit card issuer makes changes to your card’s APR policy. Of course, these changes are not made without written notification to the cardholder. Variable APRs, by definition, will vary. The rate will change based upon other factors such as the prime rate or fluctuations in Treasury bill interest rates, etc.

Not knowing that much about your APR is nothing to be ashamed of, but you can seriously benefit from having at least a working knowledge of your APR including what type you have. With this information, you will be better informed. Also, you will be able to make better decisions about your future card use-and save yourself some money in the process!

The era of 0% APR credit cards is still with us. Yes, you can obtain a spanking new credit card featuring a very low introductory interest rate and take advantage of what amounts to “free money” for you for up to one year. You can use your new card to your advantage, but you must be careful that you fully understand how a 0% APR credit card works to order to maximize its effectiveness. I will show you how, so please keep reading for all the informative details!

Soon after the new millennium started, interest rates began to drop to historically low levels. By 2002, loan rates for government funds dipped to just less than one percent, pushing consumer loan rates down with it as well. Credit card providers, seeing a terrific opportunity unfolding, immediately began to offer 0% APR credit cards to new card holders and even extended the offer to their current customers.

Today, interest rates have been climbing for two years, but 0% APR credit card offers are still available to you. Quite frankly, the entire lending business is very competitive and credit card providers are willing to forego interest for up to twelve months in order to get your business.

To maximize the effectiveness of 0% APR credit cards, there are a few things that you must know:

Limited Time Offer. 0% APR credit cards contain an introductory period lasting typically from six to twelve months. This means that anything you charge during that time will not accumulate interest. Go ahead and spread out your payments over several months: If you purchase something for $1000, you can make four equal payments of $250 interest free. Keep earning interest on your savings and let the credit card company fund your purchase!

Transfer Balances and Save Big! Many 0% APR credit card offers will allow you to transfer balances from your existing credit cards to your new card and waive transfer fees. If you owe $3000 on your current credit cards and are paying 19% interest on your balances, you could save nearly $600 in interest payments over twelve month’s time!

Pay On Time. Do not be lulled into thinking that a 0% APR credit card doesn’t require monthly payments. If you miss a payment or are late, you could find that your remaining balance is subject to interest charges and penalties as your card shifts to a default rate. Pay on time or kiss your 0% APR credit card rate goodbye!

Pay It All Off. In some cases, you must pay off your balance before the introductory rate period expires. If you don’t, the default rate kicks in. Make certain that you clearly understand your card’s terms.

Clearly, a 0% APR credit card has strong advantages for the person seeking to make new purchases as well as someone who wants to transfer their balances. Use a 0% APR credit card to your advantage and put some money back in your pocket!

Copyright 2006 Ed Vegliante. Free online reprints of this article are allowed provided the resource box remains intact with a live link back to http://www.credit-card-surplus.com