Many people with a home or email address get a constant barrage of credit card offers. If you are in the market for a credit card, it would be great to know what the top credit cards are to make your selection process easier. It will take time to sort out the offers but it will be worth it if you want to get the best possible options. Research has shown that people who make comparisons prior to opening a credit card account get to make the most savings.
According to consumer reports, most households get an average of 13 offers for credit cards every 30 days through both snail mail and email. These offers are of two types: pre-screened and invitation. Pre-screened offers are not guaranteed for approval but most people with a good credit history usually do get their applications approved.
Experts say that you can get the top credit cards by ignoring the pre-screened offers and only consider taking one, or maybe two, of the more serious invitation credit card offers. The latter normally give out better rewards and smaller interest rates. These also require more than credit score to be approved.
According to the law, credit card offers should take into account APRs or annual percentage rates, fees, the manner by which calculations are done to arrive at the balance, and the grace period. You must find out for yourself if you are interested in knowing what rewards scheme credit card companies offer like cash backs and discounts.
You can visit websites that have comparison tables for this purpose. But you have to be careful not to be quickly swayed by the recommendations of these sites. They might merely be endorsing a particular company and highlight the glowing merits of a company's credit cards. Do your observation with discernment. You can save some money on your credit card if you make the right choice and get a card that fits your specific needs and ability to pay.
Once you think that you have found the best deal on top credit cards you can start applying to one or up to three companies. Only by talking with someone at a bank or credit card firm can you find out more. It's one thing to surf the web; it's another thing entirely to be able to ask someone to explain a feature that you find difficult to understand. Decide on getting a card with one company. Two credit cards are useful, but if it is your first card, you are better off with just one. Making one payment every month is way easier than two payments.
Here is where discipline comes in. Control your spending. Spend only on the necessities and only on products and services that are within your budget. If you already have a functional 26-inch television set, why buy a 42-inch flat screen TV? Good spending habits lead to good financial health.
Assess where most of your finances go. Have you taken annual vacations to Acapulco every summer the past few years? When traveling by plane, do you prefer business or economy class? Have you thought of your three children who will be enrolling in college in the next two years? If you stop and try to think how much money you are making and what your expenses are, you will be more prudent in your spending.
By getting only the top credit cards, you will be better positioned to balance your spending especially if the cash backs you are getting go into your children's college fund instead of buying more unnecessary luxury items. If you travel often on business, you can get a credit card that rewards points for frequent flyers. There are many things you can do to make your credit card work for you instead of against you. It only takes some planning and good spending sense.
According to consumer reports, most households get an average of 13 offers for credit cards every 30 days through both snail mail and email. These offers are of two types: pre-screened and invitation. Pre-screened offers are not guaranteed for approval but most people with a good credit history usually do get their applications approved.
Experts say that you can get the top credit cards by ignoring the pre-screened offers and only consider taking one, or maybe two, of the more serious invitation credit card offers. The latter normally give out better rewards and smaller interest rates. These also require more than credit score to be approved.
According to the law, credit card offers should take into account APRs or annual percentage rates, fees, the manner by which calculations are done to arrive at the balance, and the grace period. You must find out for yourself if you are interested in knowing what rewards scheme credit card companies offer like cash backs and discounts.
You can visit websites that have comparison tables for this purpose. But you have to be careful not to be quickly swayed by the recommendations of these sites. They might merely be endorsing a particular company and highlight the glowing merits of a company's credit cards. Do your observation with discernment. You can save some money on your credit card if you make the right choice and get a card that fits your specific needs and ability to pay.
Once you think that you have found the best deal on top credit cards you can start applying to one or up to three companies. Only by talking with someone at a bank or credit card firm can you find out more. It's one thing to surf the web; it's another thing entirely to be able to ask someone to explain a feature that you find difficult to understand. Decide on getting a card with one company. Two credit cards are useful, but if it is your first card, you are better off with just one. Making one payment every month is way easier than two payments.
Here is where discipline comes in. Control your spending. Spend only on the necessities and only on products and services that are within your budget. If you already have a functional 26-inch television set, why buy a 42-inch flat screen TV? Good spending habits lead to good financial health.
Assess where most of your finances go. Have you taken annual vacations to Acapulco every summer the past few years? When traveling by plane, do you prefer business or economy class? Have you thought of your three children who will be enrolling in college in the next two years? If you stop and try to think how much money you are making and what your expenses are, you will be more prudent in your spending.
By getting only the top credit cards, you will be better positioned to balance your spending especially if the cash backs you are getting go into your children's college fund instead of buying more unnecessary luxury items. If you travel often on business, you can get a credit card that rewards points for frequent flyers. There are many things you can do to make your credit card work for you instead of against you. It only takes some planning and good spending sense.