Friday, March 09, 2007

Read The Fine Print When Choosing 0% Interest Credit Cards

Credit cards-are they the curse of our being or the moving ridge of the future? No matter how you see them, credit cards are here to stay. With the seemingly eternal assortment of cards available from any number of financial institutions, the market for your credit card business is extremely competitive. Many credit card companies seek to lure the average consumer with 0% interest credit cards. The offer looks great on the surface, but it is critical that you read the mulct black and white when considering one or respective of these offers.

In improver to the 0% interest rate, credit card companies offer many other perks, as well. The offer 0% on balance transfers, which can include other credit card debt, and even other types of debt, such as as contraption loans or something similar. Many companies offer some sort of points programme that awardings you points for every dollar you pass and you can utilize them toward travel costs such as as airline flights and hotel accommodations. Still others offer cash back percentage on all your spending, with higher rates for disbursement at grocery store stores, drug supplies and gas stations. Some even offer money towards a specific purchase, such as as the gram card, which you can earn money towards a new gram vehicle purchase. Nearly every card offers zero fraud liability if your card is lost or stolen, and many offer other inducements like low annual percentage rates (APR) and no annual fees. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and all the remainder are jumping on this bandwagon to get their piece of your business.

However, it is of import to look before you leap. Most of these 0% interest rate inducements only last for six to twelve months. It is imperative that you look at what your regular APR will be after the publicity time period is over. The rate can be a variable rate that changes or a fixed rate, which can also change at the caprice of the credit card company as long as they advise you in authorship thirty years in advance. Also, if you make a late payment, it can negate the whole inducement and revert immediately to the regular APR. All that mulct black and white in the small booklet that gets with your offer should be read thoroughly before sign language the credit agreement.

So, while a 0% interest credit card may look good at first glance, it is of import to do your homework on any credit card offer you are considering. It is also a good thought to retrieve that it is easy to get into some serious debt very quickly with credit cards. Credit cards do disbursement money easy, but if you are not disciplined about your credit card use, you can get in over your head. Also, if you can’t afford to pay more than than the minimum payment, it can take you decennaries to pay it off, and the whole clip the credit card company is making a luck off of you. It is always a good thought to be in charge of your money, not allow your money (and debt!) be in charge of your life.


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