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0% interest cards can be a useful tool to our financial requirements, but really to make the most of what is on offer with such a credit card, we need to understand a few things about how to use it well.
After the new millennium began, interest rates dropped to a significantly low level. 2002 was the year
that government funding loan rates plunged to less than 1%, pushing down the consumer loan rates along
with it. This drop in interest rates paved the way for an opportunity for these credit card providers to
offer 0% interest credit cards to potential card holders.
These days sees the financial world in a very different light indeed. However, the 0% credit card, although not nearly as common as it was in 2002, can still be found and is still relatively popular. Credit card companies still use this type of card to lure in custom and remain competitive in a highly competitive world.
Let us look at 3 ways to maximize their usefulness and minimize the downside:
Limited Time Offer. 0% interest credit cards tend to be offered from 6 to 12 months, although occasionally
for up to 18 months. There is a well known saying - good times never last. How true it is. Anyway, with
this type of offer, it means that anything you charged to your card during the time will not accumulate
interest. Say if you purchase $4000.00 worth on a 12 month interest free card, you can make twelve
payments over a period of 12 months of $375 interest free! You can keep earning interest on your savings
and let the credit card company do the funding for your every purchase!
- Use the time wisely: 0% interest credit cards tend to offer interest free periods of either 6 months, 12 months and occasionally up to 18 months. Lets make an illustration - if you were to transfer a $4000 balance to your new 12 month interest free card, you could invest what you would be paying to your credit card in a savings account until the 12 months is finished, at which time you pay off the card in full. Thus you have no interest to pay on the one hand and on the other, you have gained from your own savings interest rates.
Next - pay on time. Just because you are offered a 0% APR credit card does not mean that you can pay your
dues whenever you wish to. Once you miss your due date, you'll soon find out that your remaining balance
will be subject to interest charges and penalties as your card shifts to a default rate. Better to pay on
time or you can say bye-bye to your 0% APR credit. Paying your card balance is always best before the
introductory rate expires because if you don't then you are subject to a default rate. So be sure that you
are fully aware of your credit card provider's terms and conditions.
Its obvious then that if you make regular purchases or wish to transfer a sizeable balance from other cards or bank loans, the 0% interest credit card has a very important part to play in your financial planning. I suspect that this form of credit card will again be amazingly popular with lenders, so take time to assess what is available and gain from all the benefits to the fullest!
After the new millennium began, interest rates dropped to a significantly low level. 2002 was the year
that government funding loan rates plunged to less than 1%, pushing down the consumer loan rates along
with it. This drop in interest rates paved the way for an opportunity for these credit card providers to
offer 0% interest credit cards to potential card holders.
These days sees the financial world in a very different light indeed. However, the 0% credit card, although not nearly as common as it was in 2002, can still be found and is still relatively popular. Credit card companies still use this type of card to lure in custom and remain competitive in a highly competitive world.
Let us look at 3 ways to maximize their usefulness and minimize the downside:
Limited Time Offer. 0% interest credit cards tend to be offered from 6 to 12 months, although occasionally
for up to 18 months. There is a well known saying - good times never last. How true it is. Anyway, with
this type of offer, it means that anything you charged to your card during the time will not accumulate
interest. Say if you purchase $4000.00 worth on a 12 month interest free card, you can make twelve
payments over a period of 12 months of $375 interest free! You can keep earning interest on your savings
and let the credit card company do the funding for your every purchase!
- Use the time wisely: 0% interest credit cards tend to offer interest free periods of either 6 months, 12 months and occasionally up to 18 months. Lets make an illustration - if you were to transfer a $4000 balance to your new 12 month interest free card, you could invest what you would be paying to your credit card in a savings account until the 12 months is finished, at which time you pay off the card in full. Thus you have no interest to pay on the one hand and on the other, you have gained from your own savings interest rates.
Next - pay on time. Just because you are offered a 0% APR credit card does not mean that you can pay your
dues whenever you wish to. Once you miss your due date, you'll soon find out that your remaining balance
will be subject to interest charges and penalties as your card shifts to a default rate. Better to pay on
time or you can say bye-bye to your 0% APR credit. Paying your card balance is always best before the
introductory rate expires because if you don't then you are subject to a default rate. So be sure that you
are fully aware of your credit card provider's terms and conditions.
Its obvious then that if you make regular purchases or wish to transfer a sizeable balance from other cards or bank loans, the 0% interest credit card has a very important part to play in your financial planning. I suspect that this form of credit card will again be amazingly popular with lenders, so take time to assess what is available and gain from all the benefits to the fullest!
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Click the link for further details of low interest and 0% interest credit cards. Or if you need a business credit card offer, you can find this too.
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