How about your credit card limit? Years ago, I actually was ignorant enough to call my credit card company and tell them that I did NOT want the recent increase in my credit card limit that they had provided! Yep, I thought that a higher credit card limit would mean that my credit score would suffer. After all, having that ability to charge extra things has to be bad. However, it's just the opposite. A high credit card limit with a low credit card balance actually raises your credit score. You see, part of your credit score is based on the percentage of credit card debt in relation to your credit card limit. The more "space" you have between the two, the better.
Of course, maxing out your credit cards is a terrible thing to do to your finances! The interest rates are crazy, and if you are late just once ... watch that interest jump up even higher! The best thing to do is get those credit cards paid off, rotate using them to prevent the account from being closed, pay off the balance every month, and use them for only emergencies and/or the perks. As I've mentioned in a recent "Frugal Friday" post, we take advantage of our Discover card by earning "miles" on our purchases. Those miles are sending us to St. Thomas in a couple of weeks!
I do want to mention that in the past, putting any extra cash into paying off your credit cards was a good practice. However, if you're financially strapped and might really need that cash to live off of, you may not want to pay that credit card off! Lately, credit card companies have been lowering the credit limit when the high credit card balance is paid off all at once. If this happens your credit score may lower, you're out of cash AND you no longer have the ability to rely on the credit card for emergencies! As much as high credit card interest sucks, it's better to pay off the card slowly if you'll need that cash any time soon. Can you tell I watch the Suzie Orman show?!
If you can have the discipline to use credit cards wisely, they can be a good thing. Make them work for you!
Hasta luego ... until then. Mid-Life Cruising!
*For those that missed the other posts of this series, check them out below:
- Frugal Fridays - The Rest Stop! Frugal Fridays - The Internet
- Frugal Fridays - Goodwill Frugal Fridays - The Day After
- Frugal Fridays - Happy Hour! Frugal Fridays - A Little Patience
- Frugal Fridays - An Almost Free Vacation! Frugal Fridays - Free Music!
- Frugal Fridays - The Class Room Frugal Fridays - Free Workout Videos!
- Frugal Fridays - Free Corona Frugal Fridays - Bring It!
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5 comments:
My father taught me about money when I was a teen. He also walked the talk. I was married (unfortunately) to a guy that would spend, spend and spend. It was awful. When he left I was stuck with 95K of debt. It took me a decade to climb out of that hole. We have a house payment now and that's it.
Have a terrific day. :)
Thank you for your wise words about credit cards. It's interesting that we never had any courses in High School regarding smart uses for credit cards...I had to learn it through friends and articles from my own research. Great tips as always :)
Cheers to smart spending! Right now, I'm living in one of the most expensive cities in the world (Paris) and spending about 2 euros a day..lol...I hope this pattern lasts! ;)
Cathy Trails
I had to learn this the hard way at 25 when I bought my first house (which I'm now desperately trying to get rid of). My score was a 620 and I had never had a late payment, judgment/collection, or chargeoff. My report was perfect except that everytime I got a bonus I paid off a CC and closed it. I still "grrrrrrr" when I think about it.
The cruising life and credit cards are polar opposites. Don't leave shore with a credit card onboard...you'll stay away from the dock longer!
Hate Credit cards....You are right with those tricks though.
I have had many, had debt, paid it off, accumulated more etc.
Now we are paying off all debt. We don't use credit cards anymore, and only use debit. I like the perks of credit cards though if you pay them off every month.
When we start cruising we'll have to use a credit card through our bank to avoid the international fees. Something to consider!! Alot of places will charge you a 3% international fee..crazy.
Dani
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