Showing posts with label Credit Card. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Credit Card. Show all posts

Monday, July 13, 2009

5 Ways to Find the Best Low Interest Credit Card for You

If you’re shopping around for a low interest credit card, chances are good that you already have good credit or you’re looking to transfer high balances. In any case, you need to know a few things before you sign up.

1. Shop around

If you’re looking for a low interest credit card, you need to make sure that you’re investigating all of the possibilities. One of the easiest resources is the Internet for comparing various credit card companies and how they can help you. You can see many companies at once and then make your decision that way, instead of having to research each one individually.

2. Read the fine print

Many people don’t take the time to read all of the restrictions before applying for a low interest credit card. While the initial interest rate may be low, there also might be a limited time to enjoy it. For example, many balance transfer offers are only good for a few months or even up to a year. So if you’re looking to pay down a balance by transferring, you want to be sure that you can do it in the limited time.

3. Balance transfers

Because so many people now have outstanding credit card debt, people are looking for ways to cut down their interest payments. This can mean that people are finding lower interest rate cards to transfer to. And in many cases, these offer much lower interest rates than a traditional card. But these can be short-lived offers and will not extend to the rest of your history with the credit card company.

4. Have good credit

Another way to find a low interest credit card is to already have a stellar payment history. The companies will see that you are living within your means as well as paying on time, and they tend to reward this kind of behavior. Be timely with your payments and keep the balances low.

5. Just ask

In some cases, you may be able to turn your current credit card into a low interest credit card by simply asking. Of course, you will have to have a good history with the company that shows that you are paying your bills on time as well as not spending more than you can afford. Call the customer service department and ask if your interest rate can be lowered. It can really be that simple.

A low interest credit card is a great way to start releasing yourself from credit card debt, but sometimes it’s just better to not get into that situation at all.

Beth Derkowitz recommends Find Credit Cards for finding the best low interest credit card for you.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

How To Get a Low Interest Credit Card

Consumers often have the first credit card that they ever applied for, never really analizing how the interest rate affects their payments, but many other options exist and can help consumers decrease their payments and achieve financial stability.With interest rates on some credit cards rising to over 23%, even low balance credit card debt can be crippling. One of the first research elements a prospective borrower should look at is the interest rate on transferred debt. This interest rate is often lower than the usual interest rate for the credit card, and can be an especially good deal for borrowers who have debt already. Another element to consider is the interest rate on new purchases – this rate will be the main concern in the years to come, as this new credit card will probably become the most heavily used. Borrowers often worry about annual fees, but these are often temporary. Getting a credit card with low interest rates will save a borrower significant sums, usually much more than the annual fee. Plus, once good credit is established, the annual fee may later be waived. Another interest rate will usually apply, as well – the rate for cash advances. Cash advances are usually limited to a couple hundred dollars, but credit card companies often insist that when paying back the balance, the credit portion must be paid back first, then the portion that the cash advance applies to. So if you are going to keep a balance on your credit card, be aware that cash advance interest rates are higher than the regular interest rates. Cash advances can be incredibly helpful in emergencies, though, when a credit card cannot be used.Visa and MasterCard are by far the most commonly accepted credit cards, so less commonly used cards such as American Express and Discover often offer special rates for new customers. These rates are worth attention, even if you think that you may not be able to use the card as easily as your previous credit cards, because transferring the balance to these new cards to obtain the lower interest rate may significantly lower your payments. While your AmEx or Discover Card may not be accepted as often, they can be a good tool to achieving your financial goals. Even less commonly used are credit cards that are store specific, such as gas cards or department store cards, but these cards can offer incredible deals on interest rates. They rely on the fact that consumers will often switch their spending patterns to the new gas station or store, and this increased revenue makes up for the lower interest rates. A slight change in your habits, such as consistently using the new credit card at the new gas station, can lower payments and improve credit scores.Researching new credit cards can seem daunting, but by comparing the four main factors, which are the regular interest rate, the rate on transferred balance, the rate on cash advances, and the annual fee, you can reduce your credit card payments significantly.
Article written by 0% Credit Cards In The UK