Credit Cards: The Good and the Bad

Posted by Joaquin Costa

September 13, 2009

Theres no doubt that credit cards have their advantages. They make traveling, shopping, and purchasing large items very convenient and easy. They are safer to carry and much easier to use than checks. However, credit cards have just as many drawbacks as they do advantages. Many people end up in debt by overextending themselves and their financial information can be put at great risk if their cards are stolen.

For people who shop online, credit cards are almost necessities. Many online businesses will not take anything but credit cards as payment for their services or products. Since online shopping has grown by leaps and bounds the past few years, most everyone has some type of credit card. The same holds true for making purchases over the telephone. Many of the services you acquire this way will require you to give them a credit card number as payment.

In addition to the uses above, credit cards are also required when renting vehicles or motel rooms. Try calling and making a room reservation without a credit card. It is virtually impossible to do.

Credit cards are much safer to carry then cash money so they are often used by people when they travel, go on vacation, or go out of town shopping. Cash money can easily be stolen and theres no easy way to determine who got it unless they get caught red-handed. Credit card transactions, in contrast, are easier to track should the card get stolen. It is best to keep your card in a safe, secure place.

Credit cards are not without disadvantages, however. Many people go into debt by using credit cards in place of money they do not readily have. People will lose track of what they are spending easier and charge up large amounts that can eventually total much more than expected. Some people have multiple cards that they max out. The end result of this type of spending is usually mountainous debt that is hard to repay. Millions of people have ended up filing bankruptcy for over-extending their finances through the use of credit cards.

Cards that carry high credit limits are, by far, the most dangerous cards to have for someone who isnt disciplined about his or her spending habits. If they have a card with a $10,000 credit limit and they use up all of their available credit, they are going to make some rather large payments every month. If they have more than one card that gets maxed out, they will be in serious trouble with their finances.

Many credit card companies tend to carry high interest rates and APRs. This can result in very high payments that are going mostly towards interest. High balances can take many, many years to pay down.

Credit cards can be very convenient and, in the right hands, are good, useful tools to have. You must have the discipline, however, to keep a cap on your spending to avoid ending up in credit card debt. For people who can control their spending, credit cards are a wonderful luxury. For people who cant, they can be the beginning of a nightmare.

If you are in serious you should consider to work towards your debt consolidation loan, also don’t forget to try to apply for a no fee credit card and low rate credit card.

Credit Card

Tags:Credit Card
Technorati Tags:Credit Card

If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.

Comments

No comments yet.

Ebay Deals on Credit Card

[CaRP] Can't open cache file.

Credit Card

Vintage Silk Scarf, (260A)
4 Aug 2010 at 9:14am
US $7.97 (1 Bid)
End Date: Monday Aug-09-2010 7:14:46 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list

200 Chrome Tire Valve Caps
11 Apr 2010 at 9:09am
US $29.95
End Date: Monday Aug-09-2010 7:14:46 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $29.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list

GOLD PLATED Bridal Kundan Necklace set with Earring
2 Aug 2010 at 9:14am
US $12.98 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Aug-09-2010 7:14:46 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list

01 02 FORD EXPLORER ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PART
11 May 2010 at 9:09am
US $85.00
End Date: Monday Aug-09-2010 7:14:46 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $85.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list

99 00 01 02 SILVERADO 1500 WINDSHIELD WIPER MTR
10 Jun 2010 at 9:09am
US $35.00
End Date: Monday Aug-09-2010 7:14:46 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $35.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list