A credit card can be a very important financial tool. However, the key to making the most of it is to use it responsibly. If you are smart about it, you can easily maximize your savings and utilize a truckload of benefits with a credit card.
However, ask yourself if you’re really making the most of your credit card right now?! Could there be more benefits you could be getting? More cashbacks, or gifts, or offers and discounts? The answer is: there is always more! You just have to know credit cards well enough to tap into more.
Here are some credit card tips and tricks to know:
Align your card with your lifestyle:
Different cards are designed for different lifestyles, and hence offer benefits and reward programs accordingly. There are cards designed for travelers, shoppers, online shoppers, first-time users, and so on!
The best credit card tip is to find a card that aligns with your lifestyle. If a considerable chunk of your spending is on groceries and household shopping, apply for a credit card that gives you offers and discounts on that. If you are someone who travels a lot, find a card that gives you cheaper flights tickets and hotel bookings. For someone who likes to enjoy premium benefits, you should find a card that can give you free golf lessons, or 5-star resort stays.
There is no point having a card that offers benefits that you never use. You could have a travel card, but if you take a flight only once a year, your card is not helping you at all.
Maximize your benefits by having multiple cards:
Every credit card comes with its own set of benefits. Therefore, owning multiple credit cards helps you reap more benefits which, together, add up to form a big bag of savings.
For example, you can use one credit card that gives rewards on groceries for your home purchases and one that gives travel rewards to buy airline tickets. This way you get to tap into different reward programs, and maximize your savings. So, if you don’t already have a second card, get another credit card today!
Have cards with different billing cycles:
Keep a gap of at least 12 to 15 days in the billing cycle of your cards. By having 2 cards with different billing cycles, you can use one credit card for first 15 days of the month and another one in the second half. This way you can use the grace period of both the cards, and extend the time between your actual swipe and the bill payment to 30-50 days.
Use your card as a budgeting tool:
Make all your spends on the card. This way you will be able to know exactly how much you’re spending, and where your money is going. What’s more? You’ll also be earning rewards for literally all of your spends.
Of course, you should only do this if you can actually pay off the entire balance every time. Ensure that you don’t spend more than the money you have in your bank account, and keep your spending from getting out of hand.
Keep an eye on your card statement and credit score:
If you’re using a credit card, the best credit card advice is to check your card statement every time. If will list all the expenses you have made, and show you if any false charges have been made. It will also give you a real picture of how much you’ve actually spent.
Also check your free credit report online frequently. A credit report is like a report card of your credit account so far. It also has a credit score, given to you by the credit bureau. This will help you ensure that all the information in your credit accounts is accurate. It will also help you know if you have been missing any payments, or EMIs.
Now that we have the expert tips listed, we also have some credit card tips for first time users:
- Always stay within your budget, and don’t overspend just because you can swipe the card whenever you want.
- Keep an eye on the mobile alerts and ensure that you always know exactly how much you have spent on the card. This way you would know when you are reaching your budget, and when you are approaching your credit limit.
- Pay off the entire balance every single month. Paying just the minimum amount due is a very bad idea because high-interest rates are charged on the remaining amount.
- If, for whatever reason, you absolutely can’t pay the entire due, then pay as much as you can, and immediately convert the remaining into EMIs, This way you can save up on additional charges and have a lower interest rate at least.
Most financial advisors would warn you against depending too much on credit cards. They would tell you that it is easy to land in a mountain of debt, and be caught up in there for a while. Hence, the best credit card advice you can ever get is- don’t be impulsive with your spending; be disciplined and know your card well.
