Posted by admin on Aug 27, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments
Today, even more then ever before, it has become increasingly inconvenient and very dangerous to carry large amounts of cash with you where ever you may go. Which makes carrying a credit card a simple way to pay your daily expenses without the hidden dangers of carrying cash.
But, the repayment of your charges is not quite as simple as swiping your card through a machine. Although there are many credit card companies out there that offer low interest rate cards , there are slight differences in the different kinds of low rate cards available which will work differently.
Get a Fixed Rate
As always, you should read the fine print when you are shopping for a low rate, a slight difference is the way a card type is being phrased can mean something completely different. When you are shopping for one, select one with a fixed rate.
Although this does not mean the rate stays the same forever, you do get a warning when the rate changes, often a period of fifteen days precedes the actual change rate. A rule of thumb when selecting a card is that the card with a fixed rate is better than that with a variable rate. A variable rate card has a rate that can change regularly and this can really have an impact on your payments and your wallet.
Credit History Factor
It is not only easier to apply for a credit card when you have good credit history but it also makes it easier for you to choose the best low rate. By looking back at your credit history and spending habits you can get a good assumption of what type of card can benefit you better. The first thing you need to look at is how good you are at repaying your credit card debt.
If you have been late with payments in the past then you should looking for a higher interest rate but a lower late fee rate. This type of card could save you money if you have a habit of making late monthly payments.
A good idea when selecting a low rate is to go through all the fees and monthly payments you will have to face. Besides looking at the interest rate, you should also look at the over-the-limit fees and interest on cash advances you might be forced to make. A credit card with a slightly higher rate but more flexible fees in other areas might be a much better choice for you rather than the first low rate credit card that turns up in your mailbox.
Nick Makaryk: Editor, Publisher, and Founder of Best Credit Cards. A Free Consumer Credit Card Comparison site helps consumers find the right credit card while avoiding high interest rates, charges, and no fees. Compare 0% Interest Credit Cards from Visa, Master Cards, Discover, American Express.
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Posted by admin on Jul 27, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments
A credit card can be a wonderful thing, at least if you use it wisely. A low interest credit card in particular has a lot of benefits for consumers. Perhaps you still use your first credit card from along ago and never wanted to get another card. You might be quite happy with that old card you’ve had so long, but as a consumer you may be much better off by getting a new, low interest credit card.
There are a lot of credit card companies out there who would like your business and will offer various incentives to try to get you to sign on. The competition is fierce, meaning you are likely to have little or no trouble finding a low interest credit card. However, as always with a credit card, read the fine print before you send off that application.
Your interest rate will be largely determined by your credit history. The better of a credit history you have, the more favorable the interest rate on your card will be. If you have a few minor problems in your credit history, you might still be able to get a lower interest rate than your current card has. Shop around.
Many people carry a balance on their credit card from month to month. If you are one of these people yourself, you can save a lot of money by switching to a low interest credit card. You can pay off your balance much faster with a lower interest rate. Some companies even offer a 0% rate of interest if you switch your balance over to their low interest credit card. With no interest, you can quickly pay off your credit card.
Maybe you are one of those who always pays the balance on your card before it comes due every month. Even if you are one of these people, a low interest credit card can be very useful to you after all, you never know when something may come up which prevents you from paying before the due date. If this happens, the low interest rate is a real lifesaver.
Are there any downsides to these cards? The initial term of a 0% card or low interest card will generally be six months. After these six months, the interest rate usually goes up, sometimes by quite a bit. If you manage to pay off all of your credit card debt by that time, you will have done very well with this card. On the other hand, if you are unable to do this, you may wind up paying more than you would have otherwise. This can wipe out the benefits you have gained. Credit card companies will usually notify you that your period of 0% interest or low interest is nearing its expiry, don’t count on this.
Always look over your credit card statement for any errors. If everything looks right, go ahead and pay off the whole balance if this is possible for you. Doing so will save you a lot in payments of interest. Do not pay the minimum payment unless you absolutely cannot afford to pay more. The minimum payment is usually around 3% of the total balance, meaning it will take a very long time to pay off the balance and end up costing you a lot more money in the long run.
If you are unsure of anything, or have any questions, don’t be shy about getting in touch with your credit card company to head off any problems.
Nick Makaryk is an Internet Publisher, Copywriter, and Founder of Best Credit Cards A Free consumer credit card comparison site helps consumers find the Best Credit Card while avoiding high interest rates, charges, and fees.
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Posted by admin on Jul 24, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments
Low rate credit cards or as some know them as low APR credit cards can be very great for those individuals that carry a balance forward every month. The problem is that most people that really need or want low rate credit cards are unable to receive one because most credit card companies will only offer low rate credit cards to people with above average or excellent credit. This puts the majority of the population out of the market for low rate credit cards.
These low rate credit cards are out there, you can see them advertised on the television, on the internet and even in your email, but unfortunately, you may not qualify. The average rate for low rate credit cards is around 9 percent and some even go as low as 3.99 percent for certain individuals with an excellent credit rating. If you have credit that is less than appealing, you can always negotiate and possibly receive low rate credit cards if you have been employed with the same company for a certain amount of time, and the credit card company believes your income will stay steady.
However, many companies that offer low rate credit cards also have a pretty hefty annual fee or membership fee, which can be as high as $100. This can cost you more in the long run that owning a credit card with a higher APR from the start. Watch out for those introductory specials as well, just because the low rate looks wonderful, it may only be for 3 months and then the rate can go up drastically to up to 17%. You can always discuss these fees with the credit card company to see if they may waive this fee.
low rate credit cards may only be for an introductory period. You can even find a few with a 0% APR, the problem is once again that after the special there will be an increase. Some introductory specials for low rate credit cards are for 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, and in some rare cases 15 months. If you are sure you will be able to pay off your balance before this period is over then it would be a great deal, however, if you will have it paid off you may notice that you will be paying 17% APR on your balance.
Just because, there are low rate credit cards out there does not mean that everything will be cheaper, the balance transfers can be expensive as well at around 3%. So, be sure that you read all the terms and conditions carefully before you even apply for low rate credit cards, or choose your Low APR Credit Card.
Many low rate credit cards offer a variable or a fixed rate of interest. If you choose a fixed rate of credit, this means that the rate will stay the same, however, with a variable interest the rate can fluctuate.
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Posted by admin on Jun 18, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments
If you’re shopping around for a low interest credit card, chances are good that you already have good credit or you’re looking to transfer high balances. In any case, you need to know a few things before you sign up.
Shop around
If you’re looking for a low interest credit card, you need to make sure that you’re investigating all of the possibilities. One of the easiest resources is the Internet for comparing various credit card companies and how they can help you. You can see many companies at once and then make your decision that way, instead of having to research each one individually.
Read the fine print
Many people don’t take the time to read all of the restrictions before applying for a low interest credit card. While the initial interest rate may be low, there also might be a limited time to enjoy it. For example, many balance transfer offers are only good for a few months or even up to a year. So if you’re looking to pay down a balance by transferring, you want to be sure that you can do it in the limited time.
Balance transfers
Because so many people now have outstanding credit card debt, people are looking for ways to cut down their interest payments. This can mean that people are finding lower interest rate cards to transfer to. And in many cases, these offer much lower interest rates than a traditional card. But these can be short-lived offers and will not extend to the rest of your history with the credit card company.
Have good credit
Another way to find a low interest credit card is to already have a stellar payment history. The companies will see that you are living within your means as well as paying on time, and they tend to reward this kind of behavior. Be timely with your payments and keep the balances low.
Just ask
In some cases, you may be able to turn your current credit card into a low interest credit card by simply asking. Of course, you will have to have a good history with the company that shows that you are paying your bills on time as well as not spending more than you can afford. Call the customer service department and ask if your interest rate can be lowered. It can really be that simple.
A low interest credit card is a great way to start releasing yourself from credit card debt, but sometimes it’s just better to not get into that situation at all.
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Posted by admin on May 28, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments
When applying for low interest credit cards, you may think you know what you are looking for. After all, it seems pretty clear. The lower the APR, the less money you will have to pay, right? In reality, this is not always the case. In fact, one factor you will need to take into consideration is whether the APR is variable or fixed. Then, you can make a far better decision when choosing from among the available low interest rate credit cards on the market.
Low Interest Credit Cards with Variable Interest Rates
Low interest credit cards with variable interest rates are those that fluctuate with the prime rate. The prime rate is the rate top United States banks pay to borrow money from the Federal Reserve. Therefore, you will often see interest rates written as the prime rate, plus an additional percentage APR in order to provide the bank with a profit.
When the prime rate is in a downward swing, as it has been in the past few years, these cards can be quite attractive to the consumer simply because the APR is lowered. On the other hand, these cards can have skyrocketing interest rates when the prime rate is soaring. In addition, many credit card companies place a minimum APR on the cards. This means the APR will never fall below a specific rate, regardless of where the prime rate stands. At the same time, your interest rate will increase as the prime rate increases – and you won’t see credit card companies placing caps on how high these rates can become.
Low Interest Credit Cards with Fixed Rates
Low interest credit cards with fixed rates are those with interest rates that do not fluctuate or change. For example, if a credit card offers a 7.99% fixed interest rate, it means the interest rate will not become higher or lower that 7.99% – no matter what the prime rate may be. A word of caution, however: credit card companies have the right to change a fixed rate to a higher fixed rate by simply sending you a 30 day written notice. These notices can be very unassuming and in small print, and simply slipped in with your monthly billing statement. Therefore, it is important for you to read all paperwork included with your bill and to keep an eye out for changes in your fixed rate.
The Introductory Rate
When you shop through the numerous cheap credit cards available, you most likely pay the majority of your attention to the introductory rate. Usually, introductory rates on low interest rate credit cards are minimal and fixed. In fact, it is not unusual to see cheap credit cards with APRs of 0.00%. What you need to look at, however, is the APR after the introductory period is complete and whether it is variable or fixed. This is particularly important if you do not foresee yourself being able to pay your balances in full after the introductory period is complete.
The post-introductory period rate is often referred to as the “go rate.” With most low interest credit cards, the go rate is variable and based on the prime rate. The go rate is not always the same from customer to customer because credit card companies generally offer better APRs to the customers with the best credit history.
Deciding Which is Best
Determining which of these types of low interest credit cards is best for you depends on your financial situation. If you pay your balance in full at the end of each billing cycle, it really doesn’t matter if your rate is variable or fixed. On the other hand, it can be incredibly important if you do carry a balance. The perk to a fixed rate is that you are always sure of what your interest rate will be from month to month, so long as you make sure to read all information inserted along with your bill each month. This makes it easier to plan a budget and keep a closer eye on your finances. At the same time, you might save money in the long run by taking advantage of low interest credit cards with variable APRs when the prime rate is low. If you are disciplined enough to keep an eye on the fluctuating market and to take advantage of cheap credit cards when the rate is low, variable APR cards may be your best bet.
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