When Credit Card Rewards Becomes A Danger
When charge card rewards are used as a carrot to get you to spend more, you are asking for trouble. Here are some common-sense suggestions for staying away from the perils of charge cards and rewards program spending.
Steering clear of extreme charge card rewards spending step No. 1 - Stay awake
Right off the bat, the most logical way to make sure that you are not letting your charge card spending run amok is to reign in the spending and pay attention to what is going on your charge card bill. Waving the magic plastic doesn't mean that you won't be paying with interest in the end - or in full. Knowing how much you're spending and just how much you owe are imperative.
Keep it all down on paper
If you have trouble keeping a mental tally of your charge card spending, write everything down. This is for those who don't like to view an online statement, but entering the 21st century is actually a good idea.
Spending better with receipts
How do you keep an accurate count of what you are spending? Keep the receipts! You'll need them if you have to return something, and pocketing purchase records makes it unnecessary to write things down on the spot - because nobody likes those people, honestly.
Online resources with tools
Sites like Mint.com offer comprehensive cash management tools that can easily add up and codify your credit card purchases. Link your credit card and bank to Mint.com, and log in whenever you like for an up-to-date statement.
Help with more checking accounts
Make sure you set up a checking account that is there specifically to pay off the charge card if you are having severe troubles. The free account should be a second account and only for your charge card.
Do not wait till once a month payment
The standard for paying a charge card bill is to pay once per month. However, to pay a card off more quickly and minimize interest, making weekly payments where you pay off whatever was charged that week is a good idea. You'll accumulate benefits and stay away from having to pay interest.
Steering clear of extreme charge card rewards spending step No. 1 - Stay awake
Right off the bat, the most logical way to make sure that you are not letting your charge card spending run amok is to reign in the spending and pay attention to what is going on your charge card bill. Waving the magic plastic doesn't mean that you won't be paying with interest in the end - or in full. Knowing how much you're spending and just how much you owe are imperative.
Keep it all down on paper
If you have trouble keeping a mental tally of your charge card spending, write everything down. This is for those who don't like to view an online statement, but entering the 21st century is actually a good idea.
Spending better with receipts
How do you keep an accurate count of what you are spending? Keep the receipts! You'll need them if you have to return something, and pocketing purchase records makes it unnecessary to write things down on the spot - because nobody likes those people, honestly.
Online resources with tools
Sites like Mint.com offer comprehensive cash management tools that can easily add up and codify your credit card purchases. Link your credit card and bank to Mint.com, and log in whenever you like for an up-to-date statement.
Help with more checking accounts
Make sure you set up a checking account that is there specifically to pay off the charge card if you are having severe troubles. The free account should be a second account and only for your charge card.
Do not wait till once a month payment
The standard for paying a charge card bill is to pay once per month. However, to pay a card off more quickly and minimize interest, making weekly payments where you pay off whatever was charged that week is a good idea. You'll accumulate benefits and stay away from having to pay interest.
About the Author: