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If you are purchasing something at a retail location with a credit card, make sure that you never leave any spaces on the receipt blank. Having a blank space on your receipt is literally leaving space for someone to add an amount where you don't want it. Be sure to mark through the space with a straight line. You should also always check your statement against your receipts every month to ensure they match up.<br><br>The credit card that you use to make purchases is very important and you should try to use one that has a very small limit. This is good because it will limit the amount of funds that a thief will have access to.<br><br>Credit cards have the capacity to serve as valuable financial tools for anyone willing to use them in a responsible, disciplined manner. Knowledge is essential, however, when it comes to choosing the best cards and using them in the most effective way possible. Use the ideas in this piece, as part of your daily life and you will be well on your way to becoming a smart credit consumer.<br><br>Don't fall for the introductory rates on credit cards when opening a new one. Be sure to ask the creditor what the rate will go up to after,  [https://bit.ly/322fIoj typographical errors] the introductory rate expires. Sometimes, the APR can go up to 20-30% on some cards, an interest rate you definitely don't want to be paying once your introductory rate goes away.<br><br>Keep track of how much money you are spending when using a credit card. Small, incidental purchases can add up quickly, and it is important to know how much you have spend on them, so you can understand how much you owe. You can keep track with a check register, spreadsheet program, or even with an online option offered by many credit card companies.<br><br>Understand the credit card agreement before you use that card. When you make your first purchase on a new credit card, the credit card company will usually consider your purchase as your acceptance to their terms. No matter how small the print is on your agreement, you need to read and understand it.<br><br>Be smart with how you use your credit. Many people are in debt, due to taking on more credit than they can manage or else, they haven't used their credit responsibly. Do not apply for any more cards unless you need to and  [https://bit.ly/2BD6Log book proofreading] do not charge any more than you can afford.<br><br>Prior to applying for  [https://bit.ly/2BD6Log proofreading] a credit card, try to build your credit up at least six months in advance. Then, be sure to take a look at your credit report. By doing this, you are more likely to get approved for the credit card and get a higher credit limit, as well.<br><br>Keep a close eye on your balances. You also need to know how close you are to your credit limit. Exceeding the limit will result in significant fees. It will take much longer for someone to pay their balance down if they exceed their limit consistently.<br><br>If you can't get a credit card because of a spotty credit record, then take heart. There are still some options that may be quite workable for you. A secured credit card is much easier to get and may help you rebuild your credit record very effectively. With a secured card, you deposit a set amount into a savings account with a bank or lending institution - often about $500. That amount becomes your collateral for the account, which makes the bank willing to work with you. You use the card as a normal credit card, keeping expenses under that limit. As you pay your monthly bills responsibly, the bank may decide to raise your limit and eventually convert the account to a traditional credit card.<br><br>Once you do open a [https://www.martindale.com/Results.aspx?ft=2&frm=freesearch&lfd=Y&afs=credit%20card credit card] account, aim to keep it open for as long as possible. You should not switch credit accounts unless you find it completely unavoidable. Account length is a big part of your credit score. Part of building credit is keeping accounts open if possible.<br><br>Carefully consider those cards that offer you a zero percent interest rate. It may seem very alluring at first, but you may find later that you will have to pay sky high rates down the road. Learn how long that rate is going to last and what the go-to rate will be when it expires.<br><br>Never apply for more credit cards than you actually need. It's true that you need a few credit cards to help build your credit, but there is a point at which the amount of credit cards you have is actually detrimental to your credit score. Be mindful to find that happy medium.<br><br>You may want to consider using layaway, instead of credit cards during the holiday season. Credit cards traditionally, will cause you to incur a higher expense than layaway fees. This way, you will only spend what you can actually afford during the holidays. Making interest payments over a year on your holiday shopping will end up costing you far more than you may realize.<br><br>When you are unable to pay off one of your credit cards, then the best policy is to contact the credit card company. Letting it just go to collections is bad for your credit score. You will find that most companies will let you pay it off in smaller amounts, as long as you don't keep avoiding them.