How well do you understand your credit card?

We all carry credit cards. Well most of us anyway. For those fortunate enough to live without credit cards my hat is off to you. In today’s consumer society using credit cards to help make ends meet is almost a necessity of living.

We use them whenever necessary but do we really understand their function, terms and responsibilities?

In its purest form a credit card functions as a source of disposable income that allows one to purchase whatever they wish, whenever they wish. Within established limits that make up the card. Even if they don’t have the money in the Bank to cover the purchase at the time.  Each credit card comes with its own unique set of terms and conditions.This is where very few of us actually understand the power behind the credit card.

Did you read all that fine print hidden within the credit card statement and agreement? I bet you didn’t. I know I didn’t and very few people actually do read the agreements.

Without reading the agreements how can you fully understand your rights when it comes to credit card usage?

Or better yet what about the rights of the credit card company in the event that you fail to keep up with the terms of the card.

For instance, how much interest can thcredit carde card company legally charge you on your purchases and when can that interest be levied?

Where you aware that the APR (annual percentage rate) assigned to your card can be adjusted in certain circumstances?

Do you know what rewards are associated with your credit card? Most credit cards have some form of reward system attached to the card. Why? The credit card business is a very competitive business and card issuing companies continue to increase the incentives for you to choose their card over the competitions.

Do you know how the minimum payment is calculated on your outstanding balance? Different cards can use different methods of calculating the interest owed on the card. Minimum payments are designed to pay off the credit card within a specified period of time.

Of course the card companies prefer you to keep an outstanding balance on the card as they make a whole bunch of money from the interest they charge you.

Some good rules to follow when dealing with credit cards are:

Never overspend to the point where you have no available credit left on the card.

Always pay more than the required minimum payment.

Always make you payment on time to avoid being charged extra interest.

Whenever possible pay the balance in full to avoid interest costs.

Use your credit card to take advantage of valuable incentive points associated with your card.

Remember credit is still a privilege – not a right! Abuse your credit and you will lose it.

Popular searches for this article:

UK Debt Advice

Free Debt Advice UK.

On Free Debt advice uk, you will get independent advice on British Debt with guidence and solutions to individual problems

A lot of the other sites want to sell you a product.

Free Debt Advice Uk (FDA-UK) are different.

One in five people in the UK who have unsecured debt of more than 10,000 pounds sterling might consider consulting a Debt Service.

Personal debt exceeded the psychologically important barrier of £1 trillion in 2008!

Yes that’s right; we owe one trillion pounds to creditors. Crazy isn’t it? Its not all our fault though. This is the first generation that has had access to “easy credit” and a lot of education needs to be undertaken to teach us how to use it wisely.

Since 2006, the level of personal bankruptcies has risen steadily, as we are faced with what many have called the “debt crisis”

Here we have listed a guide to the Top Ten Debt Companies in the UK.

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

We offer debt advice for people living in different parts of the country. This is because the law concerning debt varies depending on whether you live in England and Wales or Scotland. You can be confident that the advice we offer is targeted to you.

http://www.cccs.co.uk/

The Foundation for Credit Counselling, based in Leeds, is the umbrella charity for the Consumer Credit Counselling Service in the United Kingdom. Through its free national telephone service, ten regional centres and online CCCS Debt Remedy, CCCS is able to help people with debt problems wherever they live.

Based on a proven and successful formula, our specialist advisory service has already helped thousands of people in the UK by providing counselling on personal budgeting, advice on the wise use of credit and, where appropriate, managing achievable plans to repay debts.

http://www.debtadvicebureau.org.uk/

At debtadvicebureau.org.uk you’ll find a free debt advisory information service providing you with advice and solutions to help you deal with your debt and credit problems.

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/

Debt Help in the UK is in great demand. The UK Debt Help & Insolvency Helpline is the UK’s first fully interactive online resource which enables all types of commercial entities and individuals the opportunity to have direct access to the UK’s most skilled professional advice on all debt and insolvency issues.

http://www.debt-free.org.uk/

Debt Free is an independent advice group setup to provide the clearest advice and help for people in debt.

We know that debt can be confusing and overpowering, especially in today’s financial climate, that’s why we aim to make debt problems easy to understand.

Whatever your circumstances, we provide guidance that helps you choose the best debt solution to regain control over your finances and start enjoying life again.

http://www.debtfreedirect.co.uk/

Debt Free Direct is the leading provider of free and impartial debt advice on serious debt problems. Based on statistics compiled by The Insolvency Service we’re also the UK’s number one provider of IVAs (Individual Voluntary Arrangements). With larger amounts, an IVA can bring down repayments, freeze interest and end the hassle and stress caused by people chasing you for money.

http://www.debtsolver.co.uk/home

Our debt advice is always confidential and we will determine the best solution for YOU. Whether it’s an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) a debt management plan, debt settlement, a re-mortgage or consolidation loan we will ensure you only pay what you can afford.
ClearStart is a national organisation created to provide free and independent advice to people with serious debt problems. Immediate support is available if you or your partner are employed and if you have debts between £5,000 and £150,000. You can seek advice if you are
  • struggling to meet repayments or worried about losing your home; or
  • facing bankruptcy; or
  • looking for information on debt management or IVAs.

http://www.debtadvisersdirect.co.uk

If you’re in debt, speak to our specialists for free, no-obligation debt advice, in complete confidence. We will review your situation and, based on your situation, find a solution to help clear your debts.

http://www.payplan.com/

Immediate access to a full range of free debt advice and free debt solutions under one roof. Helping 100,000 new clients each year, Payplan’s professional and experienced debt advisers will help to find your best debt solution within 24 hours.

**Please make sure you do your research before entering into a plan with any company**

Debt has increased dramatically during the boom years, with credit and rampant spending. High employment, low interest rates and rising prices may have been a contributing factor, but many believe that some credit lenders acted irresponsibly in the debt boom.

The big banks are undoubtedly paying for the United Kingdom’s debt problems, with five major banks announcing that their profits were hit by bad debts.

Another factor in the record number of bankruptcies is a modification of the bankruptcy laws of the United Kingdom, and the growing popularity of IVA’s or individual voluntary agreements.

In April 2004, the Act reduced the duration of the bankruptcy from three years to one year. Although the stigma of bankruptcy is still strong, some people argue that bankruptcy has become an easy option allowing people to simply walk away from their debt problems. This is particularly true for those who do not face the prospect of losing their homes, or are not in a profession or career for which they could lose their jobs if they are bankrupt.

The growing popularity of IVA’s has also been cited as a factor in the high level of insolvency’s in the United Kingdom. In an IVA a bankrupt person can avoid bankruptcy by reaching an agreement with its creditors for its debt to be reduced and its interest frozen.

People pay what they can afford into a fund administered by an administrator and after a period of 5 years, the person will be out of debt.

IVA’s have been available since 1986 but have gained popularity in recent years in debt counseling companies who have marketed the IVA as an alternative to bankruptcy which allows them to keep their homes.

Anyone who faces the prospect of insolvency, or can no longer cope with your debts, should consult a professional debt advice company.

WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO…PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST!