Maximising the benefit of Credit Cards
If you have a credit with interest free days, then make it work for you.
Know the cut off date (the end of each months transactions) and then delay, if you can, some charges on the card until after that date. This might mean paying the utility account a bit later. Doing so will give you an extra month to pay.
Paying the full amount stated on a credit card statement by the due date means no interest is paid on those transactions – excludes cash advances. Do the same every month. Being late will be very costly, so ensure your payment is received in time.
Obtaining a card that has a 0% or a very low interest rate for several months is a very good way to minimise interest, but you should pay the amount off if you can. Rolling this amount to a new card (0% or very low % interest rate – balance transfers for example) after this period is also a good idea, if you find another bank to take on your credit.
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