Low Interest Credit Cards

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Sometimes a lower rate is as easy as calling your current issuer and asking for help. If you can't get your existing rate lowered, you might consider a new low interest or 0% credit card instead. Even a small drop in your APR can have a huge impact on how much you pay over time.
The extra money you save with a low interest credit card could be used to pay down your existing credit card balances, or used to make cash purchases and avoid creating even more credit card debt. Even though the introductory period was only 6 months - and the ongoing APR was higher, you'd still save more with a 0% APR credit card over the first year. But keep in mind, after the first year ends you'll end up paying more interest with the higher APR. So unless you plan on paying the balance off completely or switching to another 0% APR offer before the intro period ends.
The problem with introductory rates is that they eventually increase. Before you know it, you are paying off a balance at 19 percent rather than 1.9 percent. Many new cardholders and college students fall victim to signing up for credit cards that have high rates from the get-go. This often happens because the consumer is enticed by an incentive offer such as purchase discounts at department stores or "free" prizes for signing up. At some point.


You can do this by reviewing credit card offers that you receive in the mail, viewing credit card offers on the websites of major credit card companies or visiting a credit card offer comparison site.

This application will ask for your name, date of birth, social security number, address, telephone number, annual or monthly income, monthly mortgage payment, your employer's name and your email address. Complete the required information.
You should receive a statement in the mail with your new credit card. This statement will detail your interest rate and credit limit. You should always check this information before you begin using your new card. Sometimes a consumer will not receive an advertised interest rate because of his credit history. If your new interest rate is not lower than your current card, avoid using the new card for purchases or balance transfers and repeat Steps 1 through 3. Do not cancel your new card even if the interest rate is high. The additional credit provided by the card may help to increase your credit score by increasing your debt to credit ratio.
You can accomplish this action by calling your credit card provider and advising them that you wish to complete a balance transfer. They will either be able to complete the transfer over the phone or they will send you a paper or electronic form to fill out. You will need to provide the account numbers and balance amounts from the account(s) that you wish to transfer from. If you do not wish to transfer the balance from your high-interest card, you may pay the balance off in one lump sum or continue to pay it off over time. Once the high-interest rate card has a balance of zero, do not close the account for the reasons stated in Step 3 above.

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