If youre in the market for a new credit card, the process of finding one can be overwhelming. With so many different cards to choose from, it can be tough to know which one would be best for you. As long as youre willing to do a little legwork and put some effort into researching a variety of different cards, you will have no trouble pinpointing the credit card that will work out the best!
What You Should Look for
Settling on the first credit card offer that you see isnt the best move. Instead, you need to establish a set of personal rules or criteria for each credit card you come across. This will help you narrow down your choices further and allow you to get the card that meets your needs.
To give you a hand in the research process, take a look at these 3 simple tips below. Each tip will help you set a strong foundation in your quest for the best credit card possible.
#1 Select the Lowest Interest Rate
This is one of the most important elements to pay attention to when choosing a credit card, yet it is the one that is many look past. The higher your interest rate, the more money youre going to be handing over to the credit card company every month you have a balance. While you should avoid trying to carry a balance at all, the lower the interest rate you can get, the better it will work out for you in the long run.
Another thing to pay attention to: Many credit cards will lock you in with a low or 0% introductory rate for a specific period of time. The problem here, obviously, is that the rate isnt meant to last. This is why its crucial that you always read the fine print to determine what your average APR will be once the introductory rate time period has passed.
#2 Look for Little to No Fees
Credit card companies make most of their money off of interest and various fees. The number of fees that you will be exposed to will depend on the type of card you choose. Again, this is why it is critical that you read the terms and conditions of each card that you are considering, as it will give you a strong outlook on each credit card companies fee schedule.
Bonus tip: Avoid any credit cards that charge an unreasonable monthly maintenance fee, program fee or any other odd fee that may catch your eye. These fees are generally associated with credit cards designed for those who have bad credit, but can be found on other credit cards as well.
#3 Find the Perks You Know You Will Use
These days, its hard to find a credit card that doesnt offer some sort of rewards program. You will find that some cards specialize in one specific area (i.e. large percentage of cash back on all cash back purchases), while others use a flat-rate percentage on all purchases.
The good news here is that the playing field is wide open. For those who travel, a card with travel rewards would make the best fit. If you like to shop, then a card with higher cash back rewards on all retail purchases makes the most sense. The choices that you have available are virtually endless!
In the end, what you want will ultimately boil down to what you plan to use your card for the most, which is why its crucial to find a card that is aligned with your interests.
Use These Tips to Find Your Card Now
Now that you know what criteria to use to help you find the credit card that is right for you, what are you waiting for? Put these tips to use and get the card that youve always wanted!
Sam Jones, the author, knows that bad credit cards can really damage your finances. Using comparison websites like uswitch.com and making sure you understand credit responsibility mean that you can get a lot more value and worth from financial help.
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