Winning the Credit Game

Winning the Credit Game
Cecily Backstrom

Everywhere we go, the word credit can be found, shining huge
dollar signs in front of our very eyes. Everyday we receive
solicitation and promotions offering us credit. Credit
actually makes the financial world go round, yet just the
mere mention of the word can make many people very nervous.
So why does credit get such a bad reputation?

It's been my experience that credit falls into the same
category as politics and religion. People have very strong
opinions about Credit. It has been around since the
beginning of mankind. People would borrow either goods or
services, to be repaid at a later date with interest.
There's nothing wrong with that. And like anything else, it
can be used, or abused.

There are programs that allow you to borrow from your IRA,
or you can borrow from the equity that had built up in your
home. Credit card companies often offer promotions to borrow
money at a lowered rate of interest for a predetermined
period. It's all good news for the consumer. One of the
simplest ways to borrow money to use a Credit Card. The
choices available are plentiful, with a variety of interest
charges, annual fees, loyalty programs, and reward systems.

Many companies offer 6 months no interest credit. This is
often an excellent way of saving money as you are basically
given an interest free loan for those months. It's even more
valuable if you are able to transfer some of the card debt
from a different company into the interest free loan. The
best advice is to make sure you always have the money in
the bank, or in a savings account, to pay off your card when
you are taking advantage of the interest free promotion.

That way you benefit from earning interest on your savings
at your bank, but as soon as the interest free credit period
has ended, you can pay the entire bill off without being
hit for high interest charges. If you intend to pay off
you credit card bill at the end of every month, there are
many benefit programs and reward packages available.

You can receive award points every time you make a purchase
with that card. These points can be redeemed in cash or
discounts, and can even be used for the purchase of airline
miles, etc. Some companies offer a consumer guarantee
protection on items purchased with the card, and many
will extend the warranties on those items. Many offer
discounts such as car rentals, travel insurance, accidental
damage insurance for any products you buy.

Also some companies charge an annual fee for using their
card (especially business credit card accounts), so these
should be considered against the cards benefits. If you
are not paying off your monthly credit card bills, look for
a card that offers a low interest. If you are paying off
your monthly credit card bills, look for additional card
benefits. Interest free credit periods are good news for
saving money. Credit Cards are an effective, and easy way to
borrow money for a short time. Be wise and prudent when
deciding to use credit. The bottom line is the credit
card companies want your business, and there is a credit
card out there that can meet everyone's needs.

Cecily Backstrom is founder of All About Credit an excellent resource site dedicated to information about credit