Give yourself a little Credit:

Articles on Credit | Topics: credit, creditworthy, creditworthiness

by Ula Quinn

Shop for a Card with Low Rates rather than apply for a Loan

Are you looking for a way to consolidate your credit card debt? Or are you thinking of making a big purchase and don't have enough in your savings to cover the cost of that new car or home theater system? You first thought is going to the bank for a loan, right? If you're in either of these situations, you might consider using your credit card instead of the bank. Despite their obvious dangers, credit cards can also be useful financial tools, and if you do your research, they can also be a smart alternative to a typical loan.

Credit cards have quite a bad rap, because many people are not able to control themselves when it comes to credit. People can get themselves into thousands and thousands of dollars of credit card debt because they lack self-control in this area. It is easy to take the attitude of 'I'll enjoy buying it today and worry about paying it tomorrow,' and then turn the blame on the cards when the bill arrives. Credit cards are not inherently bad; it's the manner in which they are used that makes them dangerous.

There are many ways in which you can avoid all of the aggravation associated with credit cards. If you have fewer cards and work on paying off your entire bill each month, then you avoid high interest payments and late payment penalties. If you are already dealing with a large credit debt, you can switch to a low annual percentage rate card. This way all of your debt is consolidated and you'll only have to worry about paying one bill a month.

Historic Quote

The world is a puzzling place today. All these banks sending us credit cards, with our names on them. Well, we didn’t order any credit cards! We don’t spend what we don’t have. So we just cut them in half and throw them out, just as soon as we open them in the mail. Imagine a bank sending credit cards to two ladies over a hundred years old! What are those folks thinking?

—Sarah Louise Delany (b. 1889)

There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing a credit card. Of course you're looking for a low interest rate, but what about the annual rate? Does the amount you have to pay annually really make for a lower interest rate? What about cards those allow you to earn miles towards airfare or a new car? Are the points you get really worth the amount of extra money you may pay in interest rates and annual fees? Be smart and do your research. To help you with this process, many websites now offer an online credit card calculator so you can figure out the best rate for you. These calculators can give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay and they include interest rates and annuals fees in their calculations. When you sit down and start figuring out the true cost of credit card debt, you might find yourself shocked with the results.

But then again if you take the time to sit down and figure out how much interest you will pay the bank on a standard car loan, you might be even more stunned. Banks can make as much or even more interest that your credit card company. You must also go through a long process and a great deal of red tape when applying for a loan at the bank. If you already have a credit card with a high enough limit and a low interest rate that is comparable to what the bank will offer, then why not just use it?

Certainly the bank is more disciplined and you have a solid payment schedule that needs to be adhered to, whereas a credit card company only requires you to pay a minimum amount each month. If this is your only concern, there are ways around this and you don't even need to practice that much self-discipline! Through the advances of modern technology, you can set up a monthly withdrawal through online banking and make sure that the money you need to pay every month goes into a savings account or right onto your credit card bill. A good idea is to set this automatic withdrawal for payday so you'll be sure that money gets tucked away before you have a chance to spend it.

It's important to shop around. Look at the rates your local bank is offering for loans and see if there is a card that matches it. In the long run it could save you a lot of aggravation and money going with a credit card rather than the bank. It might just be the solution to all your credit woes.

We strive to provide only relevant articles on our website. If there is a specific topic about credit that you would like us to cover, please contact us here.

Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Give yourself a little Credit:" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by LoansCreditConsolidation.com.

Getting Loans for Your Home Business
By Vasumati Lyons
Getting Loans for Your Home Business. Very few people can afford to start a business using nothing but the money they've got lying around in their bank accounts....

Crossing that Bridge Loan when you come to it
By Jaheem Rios
What exactly is a bridge loan and what can it do for you? A bridge loan is simply a short-term loan used by a person or business that needs a fast cash infusion until permanent financing can be achieved. A bridge loan, sometimes referred to as a swing loan or gap financing, is generally expected to be paid back very quickly....

Alternatives to Credit Cards
By Talya Riddle
Are you one of those people who only ever got a credit card for the convenience of being able to pay without cash, or because you weren't aware of any other easy way to borrow money? Millions of us are, thanks to the unavoidable advertising of the credit card industry, and few people realise just how many alternatives to credit cards there are. Let's take a look at a few....