In these economically critical times, more and more people are turning to debt to help them plow through certain occasional expenses. However, if you decide to get into borrowing, it is critical that you choose the facility which will be most beneficial to you and your finances. One of these facilities is the credit card.It is true that the credit card is perhaps the easiest way to obtain a loan quickly and efficiently. But, if credit card debt is managed poorly, it may turn out to be more of a nightmare than a lifesaver. This makes it important to figure out what type of credit card or loan repayment scheme is most suitable for you. When talking about credit cards, you can choose among different plans and interest rates. Of course, the lower and more stable the rate, the better for the borrower.
One of the most beneficial and highly sought after interest deals is the interest free credit card, or those that offer introductory 0% deals over a certain period of time. Most of the time, the interest free credit card offers their 0% schemes for a maximum of 3-6 months, but some cards have started offering introductory period of up to 12 months with no interest. The catch with the interest free credit card is that although there is no cost of borrowing, repayments must be made on time and no less than the specified minimum payment. Otherwise, borrowers get fined for missing payments, and these fees could end up to be higher than regular interest rates. If you are aiming for an zero interest credit card, remember that the loan itself is best paid off totally before the introductory period ends, otherwise, your credit ends up being charged with typical interest rates.
Another option is to go for the fixed interest credit card. If you are not looking for an interest free credit card but a rather one that can offer stable, lower rates on a long term basis, then this might be what you need. No need to worry about fully paying off in a certain amount of time, as long as your interest rates are reasonable and you meet the monthly required payments. The fixed rate credit card usually promises to keep a certain rate, but more often than not, they can change too. All that is required is a 15-day written notice to the cardholder that rates will adjust and your fixed rate credit card is no more. This is a better option, though, than variable rate credit cards. Here, rates are constantly changing depending on the market or prime rate of interest.
A zero interest credit card also offers a balance transfer option, where you can move your outstanding credit from one card onto another. Continually carrying on such a practice is coined as “tarting”, as borrowers transfer from one introductory period period to another – or simply put, trying to gain an interest free credit card. This practice, however, will usually require you to have good credit ratings in order to be approved to a new credit provider.
Whatever you decide to go for, whether it be a zero interest credit card or fixed rate credit card, remember that it is crucial to determine your real needs. Gauge and compare which facilities will work best for your loan. If you decide to go for an interest free credit card, remember that late payments are big no-no’s, and penalties are to be avoided. Search for companies with the most stable and lowest possible rates in order for you to get the most out of your credit.
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