Umer Zahid
Credit cards are a mixed blessing. Used wisely, they can help you to save money and provide all sorts of convenience. On the other hand, without due caution, credit cards can create a lot of financial difficulties for the consumer. As a shopper, out of control spending will lead you to an almost inevitable debt problem. This article is all about how to use credit cards to save your money. Read on!
On top of the sheer expense factor, all credit cards have an interest rate. If you’re paying only the minimum monthly charge on your card or transferring credit on other cards then you will end up paying a lot more than the original price for every purchase which you’ve made.
These credit card interests and fees can rack up a lot of debt. So, in order to avoid the pitfalls of credit, here are some of the tips we’re sharing that can help you to save money without getting into debt.
Related: How to Use Pakistani Credit Cards
Evaluate Your Expenses
Take a look at all your expenses for the past 2 to 3 months and see how much of them are you spending via credit card. If you’re spending a lot of money then create a monthly budget and list out all your monthly expenses. You need to include all the predictable expenses and debt repayment if you have any in the monthly budget.
To save money you need to get ahead financially. You need to plan each and everything from your spending to your savings. You should also set aside some money for miscellaneous expenses like any emergency expense which you haven’t planned for. So, allocate some of the extra money for these expenses in your monthly budget.
Set Spending Limits on Your Expenses
The key to saving money through a credit card is to set a spending limit on all your expenses. You don’t have a lot of control over some of the expenses like groceries and utilities because these expenses can fluctuate due to various reasons.
However, you should set some spending limit on all the entertainment expenses. So, keep tracking all the expenses throughout the month and see whether you’re getting close to spending limit or not. Once you have reached your spending limit, you need to stop spending! The idea is to create a better budget and have a general framework on which you can lean on as you strive to reach your saving goals.
Pay Back All Your Credit | How to Use Credit Cards to Save Your Money
Do you pay back the entire amount each month or the minimum required? If you’re not paying back the entire amount then you need to calculate the interest charges you may incur monthly. You will be surprised to see the total amount that you have to pay back.
So, the tip is to never ever carry a balance on your credit cards. With higher interest rates, these credits cards can cause a lot of financial harm. Hence, whenever possible, pay back the principal amount and owed interest. It will save a lot of money in the long run.
Only Use Credit Card for Planned Purchases
Once you have a budget and spending plan in place, you can use a credit card for all the planned monthly purchases. As mentioned before, all the sudden expenses should be accounted for in your monthly budget and always allocate some extra cash for these expenses.
So, using the credit card only for your planned purchases will allow you to pay your bill off on time and will help you to avoid debt.
Take Advantage of all Rewards and Perks
Those who master the art of using the reward and taking advantage of the perks can save a lot through credit cards. Reward points are earned whenever a credit card is used to pay for any expense.
Benefits like cash-back, hotel loyalty points, flyer miles etc. are earned through credit card. However, all these perks and rewards become less lucrative when you’re paying interest on all your purchases because of the balance you’re carrying. So, pursue these reward points and perks only if you can pay your balance in full.
Transfer Balance to Reduce Interest Rate
If you’re carrying a balance on a credit card with high-interest rate then you can save some money by transferring the balance to another credit card with a low-interest rate. Some banks also give consumers a zero per cent APR balance transfer offer that allows consumers to save money using a credit card.
If you think that you cannot limit your spending and pay your bills in full then you should avoid using a credit card. Instead, use a debit card or use cash to pay for all monthly expenses. This way you will not run into a debt problem.
Well, there you have it! This is all about how to use credit cards to save your money. If you have any queries then feel free to comment below and keep following this space for more guides.
