Tips On Managing a Credit Card With 0% Interest

Finance

  • Author Liz Roberts
  • Published March 11, 2010
  • Word count 504

You may have heard that 0% interest credit cards can be efficient tools in consolidating your credit card debt and free yourself from the burdensome rates of interest. Should you really transfer your existing balances over to a 0% credit card?

Is it worth the move? Which 0% interest credit card should you choose? How can you use a zero percent interest credit card in getting rid of your credit card debt? Let’s consider these questions one by one.

To Transfer Your Balances Or Not

If you own several credit cards with high rates and you have an existing balance on each, it is a good idea to transfer them all to a new card. In this, a credit card which offers 0% APR on balance transfers can help you.

Thus, you can concentrate on paying the original amount of debt you owe without incurring the monthly interest charges. However, if you only have a small amount of balance with your existing credit card, then you may just focus on paying off that remaining balance and avoid incurring new charges.

Which 0% Interest Credit Card is Best?

Some credit cards offer the 0% rate for six months while others offer up to a 12-month period. If you have a large credit card balance to pay off, you may need to go with the card that has a longer zero interest introductory period. However, don’t forget to check on how much the interest rate would be once the introductory period ends.

Most credit card companies actually expect their clients to carry over their balances even after the introductory period expires. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself with a credit card that imposes an interest rate that is even much higher than what your present credit card offers. Your best choice would be a credit card that maintains reasonable rates and costs that go beyond the introductory period.

Whichever credit card you choose, take the time to read and understand the credit card agreement. If there are certain terms or clauses that you don’t understand, call the credit card issuer and clarify these issues. Remember, once you’ve signed up with the credit card, there’s not much choice for you but to follow.

Use Your 0% Interest Credit Card to the Fullest

If you’ve decided to get a 0% interest balance transfer credit card, you should be determined to use it as a tool to help you get out of your credit card debt faster. Take advantage of the introductory period and make sure that you’ll complete paying off all the balances you’ve transferred before the period ends.

Also, don’t use your 0% interest credit card as an excuse for you to continue with your expenses. The mere fact that you needed a 0% interest credit card is a clear sign that you should exercise control over your spending, particularly on your credit card use. Be aware of how you use your credit card and pay attention to your obligations as a credit card holder.

Liz Roberts is a freelance writer and loan consultant. The website BadCreditResources.com offers resources that specialize in providing bad credit loans and credit cards for bad credit.

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