With all of the credit card horror stories out there, it is no wonder that some people are afraid of credit cards. There is no reason to be afraid of having a credit card. Credit cards are especially useful for buying expensive items or buying items online. This article contains some credit card advice that will help you to make smart financial decisions.

Credit Card

Before closing any credit card, understand the impact it will have on your credit score. Often, closing out a credit card accounts will adversely effect your credit rating. In addition, if you have cards that make up a large portion of your entire credit history, try to keep them open and active.

Understand your interest rate. It is very important to understand what the interest rate is before you get the credit card. If you are unsure, over time you might pay much more than what items actually cost. If the interest rate is too high, you might find yourself carrying a bigger and bigger balance over each month.

Monitor your balance regularly. Also be aware of what your credit card spending limit is and adhere to it. If you inadvertently go over your credit limit, you will either be heavily penalized or your credit card will be blocked. It will take much longer for someone to pay their balance down if they exceed their limit consistently.

Interest Rate

Make sure to completely understand your credit card terms before signing up with one. You may find that the interest rate, payment schedule and fees, are more than what you initially thought they would be. Make sure you fully understand things like the interest rate, the late payment fees and any annual charges the card carries.

Never make purchases with your credit card, that you cannot afford. If you would like a new television, save up some cash for it rather than assume your credit card is the best option. You will pay loads of interest, and the monthly payments may be out of your reach. Go home to mull it over for a couple of days and then reach a rational decision. Then, if you decide to purchase it, you may be able to get low interest rates through in-house financing.

Verify the legitimacy of an online seller before using your credit card on their site. It makes sense to call the phone numbers given on the website to verify the seller’s existence, and it is wise to steer clear of sellers providing no street address.

Check your credit score regularly. The benchmark score which is considered good by lenders is 700 or above. Try your best to reach and maintain that score. Keeping your score at 700 or better gives you the chance to take advantage of offers for the lowest interest rates.

The advice in this article will help anyone fearful of getting their first credit card. If you use common financial sense, there is no reason to fear using a credit card for purchases. Just understand that credit cards can get you in trouble, but they are also a great financial tool. Good luck.