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If you happen to be concerned about carrying your money on you and you think that there should be a better way to shop then you need to consider making full use of the new ‘plastic money’ – credit cards. With a fast growing economy that is also experiencing rapid growth many more people tend to want to shop and buy the latest gadgets and fashionable clothes and a lot more in the same vein. And, precondition the fact that modern lifestyles have get so fast and tempestuous people today have no choice than to take greater convenience when shopping. The advent of the credit card has solved many problems in this regard and now everyone from professionals to business persons to bankers and students and even teenagers shop and pay for their purchases with their plastic money.

Changing Our Shopping Habits

All you need to do is first understand how to get your credit card application approved and then you too can apply for, and after the application has been approved, use your credit card to shop whenever it suits you. The plain truth is that credit card applications and credit cards have changed our shopping habits and we are now less in need of physically carrying cash on our person than at any time before. This means that most of us have distinct in our minds that we would like to swop in the greenback for the ubiquitous credit card.

However, before applying for your credit card you need to take a few precautions and also execute certain countermeasures to assure that you are saved by existing federal laws. The first thing you should translate when applying for your credit card is that the constitutional process will take some time because your selective information needs to be substantiated.

The U.S. Patriotic Act requires that your particulars be verified and so you need to be prepared to undergo a minor ordeal before you can get your credit card approved. Most of us do not mind the added inconvenience because owning a credit card or two has become the norm. So, if you are prepared to face the ordeal and you are sure that your nerves can take the stress then you should go ahead and apply for your credit card.

The first thing you will need to do is obtain your Credit Report as too your Credit Score. Armed with this selective information you can begin the inbuilt cover process with greater self-assurance. You should check with the major credit bureaus including Equifax and Experian and Transunion and see which one has given you the highest score and then use that score when applying.

Next, you should be well acquainted with your creditors as this cognition will help preserve you a constellate of time. This means that you should try and get in feign with your creditors and even the different credit card companies and ask them what the to the lowest degree and minimum acceptable credit score is. Then you can crosscheck your own Credit score and see if you are in a position to proceed further. However, be sure to understand that certain banks use more than one Credit score before approving applications though the norm is for banks to check just one credit score.

In addition, you must also ensure that all your credit balances are actually up-to-date. And, you need to also dispute any outdated balances and in fact it is also a good idea to get in touch with your creditors and get them to report the proper balances.

You should also make use of your own family income and not someone incomes as this will stand you in good stead when applying for your credit card. Last but not least, makes sure to get in touch with your creditors and get them to provide you with information to help you get your credit card application approved.

The banks are constantly hitting us up with credit cards offers. So how do you cut through the marketing spin and actually figure out the difference between the credit cards and pick the best credit cards for your needs?

In order to compare credit cards you should understand the main features found in many credit cards.

Balance Transfer APR: APR stands for annualised percentage rate and is the equivalent annual interest rate. With a balance transfer the APR is the rate that applies for an introductory period on balances you bring across from existing store or credit cards with outstanding balances. Watch out for transfer fees which are normally charged as a percentage of any balances transferred.

Introductory Purchase APR: This is the interest rate that you will pay on purchases for a promotional period once you take out the card. Don’t get caught out by these intro offers, check out the small print to see that you won’t get stung if you still have balances owing when the offer period expires.

Purchase APR: This is the standard credit card APR charged on purchases. If you don’t think you will pay your bills off in full each month then a low interest credit card rate will be important while if you will pay your bill in full each month then you may not pay any interest so the rate is less of an issue.

Interest free days / grace period: You may see statements such as ‘up to 55 days interest free’ advertised. This is the maximum period between making a purchase and the monthly bill due date. Cards with a long grace period mean that if you pay your bill in full before the due date each month then you won’t pay any interest. Some cards have no grace period on purchases and most cards have no grace period for cash advances and in this case, interest is charged from the day of purchase or advance.

Annual Fee: Many cards have now dropped their annual fees but you may find that some premium cards do still charge an annual fee in exchange for extra features. Alwats ensure that the value to you of extra features such as insurances are greater than the annual card costs.

Rewards scheme: Rewards schemes come in all different shapes and sizes such as cash back, shopping rebates, points, airline rewards and much more. Do some basic math before you apply and calculate if the rewards your liekly to earn will be greater than the interest and fees. Also choose a card that offers rewards that you want. Most rewards programs offer rewards that average around one cent in value per dollar spent so don’t spend up just to earn some extra points, it’s simply not worth it.

Now when you come to look for a new credit card you can cut straight through all that marketing hype appliead to card offers and pick a card that is right for your needs. It’s not possible to suggest a credit card that is right for everyone, the best credit card for you will depend on your needs.

This article is by Richard Greenwood a keen consumer advocate helping consumers getting a better deal. Richard runs www.compareyourbank.com.au