0% APR Credit Card Offers: Saving Money

In today's economic situation, almost all items and services are getting more and more expensive everyday. This is why people go to any lengths just to save money. Some people try to save money by purchasing cheaper goods and some try to save on utility expenses, like electricity, gas, and water.

Credit cards are one of the most popular ways to purchase goods and services. It can even be used to pay for your utility bills. With a credit card, you don't have to carry a lot of cash in your wallet to purchase the things you need in your everyday life. With a single swipe of the credit card, you automatically purchase the items you need.

However, credit cards also have its disadvantages. With a credit card, people tend to lose control in spending their money. People tend to spend more than they can afford. This is why credit cards are only recommended for people who know how to manage their money.

But, more and more people today are applying for a credit card as a way to purchase the items they need even if they still don't have the cash for it.

There are available banks and lending companies that offer 0 percent APR credit cards. You now wonder what 0% APR credit cards are and what it can do to benefit you.

APR or Annual Percentage Rate is used by credit card companies to calculate the total cost of borrowing. The APR is used by credit card companies to make it easier for them to compare loan options and also to compare lenders.

Today, there are a lot of credit card companies that offer 0% APR on their credit cards. So, you now ask, "What's in it for me?" Since the APR determines how much you have to pay on interest, a no interest credit is obviously the best. A credit card with 0% APR means that you don't have to pay for interest, you only have to pay the amount you borrowed with no additional fees.

For you or someone who is looking for a way to save money on credit cards, this offer can be very attractive and you would try and apply for it immediately after the bank offers this kind of credit card to you. However, before you make any decisions, you have to consider a few things first.

First of all, 0% APR credit cards are only available on a limited time only. Sometimes, these offers last for only 6 months to a year. People who are unaware of these things tend to pay more than they have to because of not considering that this offer is only introductory and they find themselves using the credit card way past the introductory period.

For this, you have to find out how long the 0% APR promo will last and also how much the interest rate will be after the introductory period expires. There are times that interest rates can go from 0 to 20% in a single billing period.

0% APR credit cards are great for making balance transfers. A balance transfer is what people do to carry out payments from one card to another. It is a great way to pay off your debt from another credit card. For example, if you have a remaining balance from one credit card with 20% monthly interest rate, you can manage this debt more effectively by transferring it to a card that has 0% interest. This means that you will pay off the debt instead of paying off the interest rate.

Before you do this, however, you need to make sure that you can pay off the debt during the 0% introductory period. Always remember that interest rate can really go up after the 0% interest rate introductory period expires.

About The Author: Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information checkout http://www.applyforeasycredit.com.

A Loan For Debt Consolidation Allows You To Pay Several Creditors With One Simple Payment

Paring Down Payments

A Debt consolidation loan is the creation of one new loan for the purpose of paying off all other current loans and credit card debts.

A loan for debt consolidation allows you to pay several creditors with one simple payment. A debt consolidation is considered a personal loan.

The primary purpose behind debt consolidation borrowing is to lower your interest rate while providing the debtor with a monthly payment she or he can afford. It also prevents an adverse affect to the debtor's credit rating as well as keeping assets from risk.

A debt consolidation loan may be well advised for someone who is having a difficult time making monthly payments on current loans that carry a high rate of interest. The additional benefit of debt consolidation is that the consolidation eliminates the debtor's contact with the various creditors. This stops collection calls and correspondence.

What you'll need to qualify for a loan for debt consolidation:

* A written budget, showing each month's expenses and income.

* Proof that you have a steady source of income adequate for the repayment of the debt consolidation loan. Pay stubs and/or tax forms would suffice.

* You may need proof of collateral, such as home equity documents or car title.

* You might also need a co-signor if your credit is not adequate.

You can pay off a wide variety of debts and loans with a debt consolidation arrangement. Eligible bills include medical, credit card, retailers, personal loans, student loans and even checks returned for insufficient funds.

Before considering a debt consolidation there are several factors you should weigh. They are:

* Fees involved in consolidation. While a small fee is common, reputable debt consolidation firms will not claim to reduce the amount of debt you owe nor will they charge you a substantial upfront commission to do so.

* The consolidation interest rate. What you want is a fixed rate loan and a rate that is lower than the average rate of your current debt.

* Consolidation loan payments. You'll want a monthly payment that is lower than the combined payments of the current debt, although this should not be accomplished by any considerable lengthening of the repayment time.

* Whether your credit rating will be negatively affected. If the consolidation firm is not clear on this, go elsewhere.

As part of your debt consolidation loan consideration you'll want to look realistically at your total debt, determining exactly the amount you'll need to borrow for consolidation. You should also contact all lenders and see if any will offer a settlement (keeping in mind that payoff off a settlement figure rather than total debt may negative affect your credit rating.)

Your next step would be to put down on paper your monthly budget, including all your expenses as well as your income. Do not neglect to give yourself some leeway - a small emergency or miscellaneous cost figure. Take a good hard look at what you can afford to repay if you borrow for consolidation.

Debt consolidation advantages:

* You can save money by decreasing the interest rate you are paying, which in turn decreases your monthly debt consolidation loan payment.

* You will only have one loan to worry about paying each month.

* You'll only have one creditor to focus on, which means the others will not be contacting you.

Debt consolidation disadvantages:

* You're probably going to be extending the time period in which you are paying your debtors, thus increasing the total cost over time.

* You may have to offer your home or your vehicle or other significant properties as collateral. This puts them at risk should you default.

About The Author: Robert Michael is a writer for Consolidate My Debts which is an excellent place to find consolidate my debts links, resources and articles. For more information go to:
http://consolidatedcu.com

Things That A Credit Card Cannot Do For You

Credit cards are one of the best financial tools you can have, but they can also be dangerous and leave you with lots of debt. If you are thinking about getting a credit card, then it important that you know the downsides as well as the benefits. This will help you to use your credit card more wisely and avoid getting into debt. Here is some advice what a credit card cannot do for you.

It cannot make you richer

Although having a credit card will improve your cash flow and financial independence, it does not make you richer. Many people who get into credit card debt do so because they see their credit limit as their own money. In fact, that credit limit is simply the amount that you can borrow from your card issuer. Instead of making you richer, every time you spend on your card you are pushing yourself into debt. The only way to stay out of this debt is to make sure you can afford to pay back what you spend.

It cannot stop your debt problems

Many people get hold of credit cards because they think a credit card will help them solve their current debt problems. If you are spending more than your income then using a credit card is not a good idea. Credit cards are an expensive form of borrowing, and charging things to a card will delay your problems and put you further into debt. If you are having problems with debt then consult a debt counsellor who can help you find the best way to manage your problems.

It cannot save you money

Although credit cards are a great convenience and can help you to buy purchases beyond your immediate means, credit cards don't usually save you money. For example, if you decide to buy something on credit in the sale and pay for it over time, the interest payments will usually cost you more than the saving you made on the item. Credit cards usually cost you money rather
than save you money. Also, the interest that you pay and the fees that you are subject to outweigh the rewards that you are usually offered on credit cards.

So why get credit cards?

Although credit cards can put you into debt and can be dangerous, if you are sensible and know about the risks they can be of great use. Credit cards are much more secure than using cash or cheques, and allow you to shop online where you really can save money. Also, carrying around a card is a lot more convenient than carrying around large sums of money, especially if you are travelling abroad. Furthermore, a credit card allows you to buy items that you can afford, just not all in one go. Although saving up for expensive items is more sensible, this is not always possible and credit cards allow you more freedom to spend. If you can try and pay the balance off in full each month, then you will get the most out of your credit card and avoid the things that credit cards cannot help you with.

About The Author: Peter Kenny is a writer for creditcards-gb Please visit us at http://www.creditcards-gb.co.uk and http://www.thriftyscot.co.uk/Credit-Cards/

Keep College Student Credit Cards Under Control

With rights come responsibilities. And this rule applies to college student credit cards as well. These small pieces of plastic look innocent enough but come with their share of pitfalls. College days are colored with long hours of studying and longer hours partying with friends and classmates. And, if you are not careful, college days will also be marred with credit card bills
that carry the threat of thousands of dollars of debilitating debt that will stay with you for some time to come!

This bleak picture should by no means prevent college students from using credit cards; it should only help students to avoid misusing them. If you know how to keep the key rules in mind and keep them in control while planning your purchases, you can master the art of handling credit cards and be able to use them effectively and to your best possible advantage.

College Credit Cards: The Painless Plan

- Plan a budget: Firstly, figure out your weekly and monthly expenses. These are usually food, books, and transportation expenses. College student credit cards, like traditional cards, provide monthly billing statements that should help in determining your overall budget.

- Stick to the budget carefully: Plan to use your credit card to meet just these key expenses. Remember that the trouble usually starts when you do not meet your monthly payments. This problem can be easily avoided if you plan your credit card expenses well in advance. This means preventing debt from building up and paying your credit card bills on time.

- Use your credit card only for major expenses. College student credit cards should usually not be used for everyday expenses but reserved for the big buys or emergencies only. Use them for long-term purchases such as furniture and books.

- Don't splurge: If you don't have money in your wallet to meet miscellaneous expenses, then don't buy them at all! Buying beer for your friends, purchasing CDs on the Net and buying soda can all add up, even if they seem inexpensive at the time of purchase.

- Don't let your parents help you: Be responsible and mature enough to control excessive expenses without calling up Mom and Dad to help bail you out. If you are old enough to use a credit card, then you should be wise enough to use them responsibly.

College Student Credit Cards: What is In It for You?

If you think you can handle it, it is time to take a closer look at why you should make the effort to learn how to handle a credit card:

- A credit card can help you make purchases online or over the telephone.
- Credit cards are critical during emergencies.
- They can also help you finance your larger expense items.
- You can build your credit rating with responsible use, which will be
helpful later while making business investments, buying your first house,
and even when getting your first job.

Get a Head Start

So college student credit cards could be the perfect way to secure your financial future. Please do keep in mind that even in the student market, companies offer differing rates of interest and interest-free periods. So shop for your credit card wisely. Think of this as great practice for the future, when you might be juggling more than one card, student loans, and maybe even a mortgage on your house.

Once you have decided on a specific college credit card, it is important to understand how it works and the benefits you can reap from it. Keep a close watch on your bills, and figure out ways of paying the monthly bills. Watch out for better offers as well, because you don't want to be stuck paying higher interest rates then you need to.

About The Author: Robert Alan advises that you visit http://www.creditcardassist.com/student/creditcards.html for more on college student credit cards.

Business Credit Cards Offer The Ideal Choice

Business credit cards are something that most business owners need to have. There are business trips and expenses to pay for. There are meals to cover and costs for rewards for good employees. To handle all of these needs, the right credit card should be in hand. Yet, if you are
choosing credit cards simply based upon advertisements that you receive in the mail you may be missing out on some of the best card options out there. For large and small businesses, there are plenty of opportunities for success to consider with the right business credit card.

To gain the right benefits with these credit cards, you do need to consider all that they can offer you. Each and every one of them is quite different. To help you to sort through all of the benefits, take into consideration your needs as well as your needs when considering how to beef up the strength of your credit standing. Here are some tips to help you in your search:

* Determine flexibility in spending -- In many business credit card accounts, the goal is to have an open spending limit so that you and your employees can have the available credit necessary without worrying about hitting an over limit. Take some time to consider what opportunities either a charge card or a credit card can provide in terms of their charging limitations.

* Determine the Ongoing APR -- Even though this is a business credit card, you still should pay some attention to the APR that is being offered to you. In many cases, the slightest difference either way can make a huge difference if the balance is not paid for in full each month. Taking the time necessary to determine which card has the best ongoing APR is very important for your long-term success.

* Multiple Card Option -- Having the ability to give your employees the credit cards they need is also important. It is likely that you will want all of these cards managed under one plan. Yet, you may want to put restrictions on how much credit will be extended to each individual employee. That being the case, special consideration should be given to the card options that provide flexibility with multiple cards and customizable credit limits for individual employees.

* Fraud Protection -- Something that is being offered most card issuers is fraud protection. If someone should use a credit card in your name without your authorization, simply report the disputed charge and they will mark the disputed charges for further investigation, offering significant protection against fraudulent use.

* Access to Credit -- In the case of a small business, the right business credit cards will provide you with access to additional credit, and in some cases, substantial additional credit. Take some time to determine what it is that you need then apply for a credit card to help in making that happen. In many cases, these credit cards actually provide the means for getting over hurdles.

Business credit cards, like any credit card, should never be chosen without careful consideration. If you are looking for a means to securing the funds that you need to make things happen in your company, then consider this tool. You are sure to find several business credit card opportunities to call on to help you to do just that.

About The Author: Robert Alan highly recommends that you visit http://www.creditcardassist.com/business/creditcards.html for more free information on business credit cards.