Payment Delays Lead To Higher Payments

Word Count:
513

Summary:
There are credit cards and there are credit cards and then there are credit cards. In today's world, credit cards are used for not just shopping but also for online trading, easy airline and movie ticket bookings. In the electronically connected, Internet-based world, we can make reservations right from the comfort of our home. Now, while talking about the credit card payments, one has the option of clearing the entire outstanding in a single payment or carrying it over to th...


Keywords:
compare credit cards, credit card rewards, low APR credit cards


Article Body:
There are credit cards and there are credit cards and then there are credit cards. In today's world, credit cards are used for not just shopping but also for online trading, easy airline and movie ticket bookings. In the electronically connected, Internet-based world, we can make reservations right from the comfort of our home. Now, while talking about the credit card payments, one has the option of clearing the entire outstanding in a single payment or carrying it over to the next billing cycle. People who responsibly repay their credit card debt should consider the no annual fee, no interest payment kind of cards that will allow them to get free credit.

But as long as you are paying at least the minimum amount due, you are fine. Of course, in that case you should make sure to get the lowest APR card that you can lay your hands on. The APR is the interest amount payable while making partial payments or transferring balance from one card to another. In fact, a single card can carry multiple APRs -- for cash advances, part payments and card transfers. There may also be different slabs applied for different levels of payments due. For example, 10% applicable for $5 -$100, and 20% on the remaining balance above $100 and so on. In case the payments are delayed by over a cycle, a higher APR will apply. These details are all specified in the credit card agreement. Make sure that you read that document.

Plastic cards have made life very easy. But at the same time, plastic money places a higher degree of responsibility on the user. You must realize that your transaction starts when the card is swiped and does not end there. The transaction is concluded only when you repay the card debt with any accrued interest. That is why you need to behave responsibly. Some people say that they find it less guilt-inducing to pay using a credit card. This is strange as the monetary transaction is identical, regardless of whether you pay with a card of with a wad of currency notes.

Given the ease of paying in part, many customers choose to repay only a part of their loan and carry the rest of their debt to the following cycle. But one should remember that the interest rate will get accumulated. And the person will end up paying more than his/her bill amount the next time around. There are some credit card companies that follow the fixed APR system where the charge is fixed. However, in others it varies and so will the interest rate on your card.

Do not think of your credit card debt as a bottomless pit. Especially in the case of a 0% cards, ensure that you are clear about the grace interest-free period. And if the user wishes to use the credit card as an ATM card to draw cash, the APR on that will be more than that calculated on purchases made. If you want the convenience of using your credit car, make sure to accompany that by intelligent and responsible behavior.