Credit Card Debt Reduction Takes Time and Persistence
Credit cards work wonderfully until their balances grow out of control. Unfortunately, but this point the debtor finds himself just managing the payments without even trying to work down the debt balance itself anymore. This leads to a slow but painful death spiral where the credit card payment eat up more and more of a person’s cash flow month after month.
Turning a revolving debt balance around is hard but it can be done without any special programs. The trick is to find a way to cut down monthly spending in such a way that the debtor can make a payment that not only pays the minimum interest but also takes bit out of the principal balance. Over time, even the most basic amount of payments will reduce debt until it is gone.
Alternatively, if a person has too much debt over too many credit card accounts, he’s likely juggling multiple card bills at different times of the month. A debt consolidation loan can be the answer. This approach takes one jumbo loan and pays off the various credit cards. The jumbo loan involves a fixed rate and payment over a time period, usually five years. This forces the debt to be paid down and it consolidates all the bills into one charge per month. By following with a closure of the paid credit cards, the debtor can be assured as long as he makes his payments on the consolidation loan the amount will go down and eventually be paid off.
A third method involves putting aside funds and saving them to then make a lump sum payment to remove a credit card. While this approach will end up paying more in interest rather than immediately putting the money towards the outstanding credit card account, it feels pretty darn good when the lump sum is ready to just pay off the account completely once and for all. It also gets a person in the practice of saving money. Once a saver understands how hard it is to save up to a figure, he gains a new appreciation for that money.
In all of the above approaches, it is critical to rein in spending and not incur more debt. Effective debt management requires that a person spends less than he brings in and doesn’t add more charges on his credit cards. Doing otherwise defeats the whole purpose of managing the credit card debt. While this discipline is easy to talk about, it can be hard to implement. However, most people if they look hard can find a number of areas where spending can be stopped.
Debit or Credit Card? You Decide!
Using your card as a debit card or a credit card? Think that there is no difference? Think again! Even though you can use your debit card for just about any transaction that you would normally use a credit card for, you might be surprised to learn that the risks are actually far greater when you use your debit card, and there are definitely some places where you’ll want to reconsider using your debit card at all.
ATM Machines
Where do you typically go to get cash? Do you go directly to your bank? Most people don’t. In fact, most of us will simply go to an ATM machine…any ATM machine, even if there’s a small fee associated with the use of an ATM machine that doesn’t belong to our personal bank. But, how secure is that ATM machine? Is it in a well lit area? Is it affiliated with an actual bank, or is it a generic machine that is outside the local convenience store? Is it inside or outside?
The location of an ATM machine is actually very important – ATM machines that are not located in high traffic, well lit areas are at a high risk for criminal activities, such as skimming. Skimming is a process where a machine is attached to the ATM machine and the machine then captures the information on the magnetic strip for later use. Criminals can then reproduce an exact replica of your debit or credit card and use it to make all kinds of purchases in your name. Even worse, if the criminals also recorded the PIN number associated with your card (using a hidden camera), then they can withdraw cash from your bank account, all the way up to the total amount in your account.
So, think about your next ATM visit – make sure that the machine is either in a high traffic, well lit area, or is actually located inside the bank or the mall. And, pay attention to the actual machine itself – if something doesn’t look right, don’t use it! Go somewhere else.
Restaurants, Bars & Other Retail Outlets
How many times have you gone out to dinner and, when it’s time to pay the check, simply put your debit or credit card into the slot of that little black folder and entrusted your card with the waiter or waitress who happened to serve you that particular evening? And then you just went on chatting away with your dinner companions while the server takes your card to the cash register and rings up your bill…
Can you see the server while he/she has possession of your credit card? Do you even look? If you are like 95% of the people in this country, the answer is no. And, if you’re like 50% of the people in this country who have been a victim of fraudulent charges on your debit or credit card, this is where a large percentage of this type of theft occurs. In fact, we actually make it EASY for our information to be stolen – we hand them our cards, and we don’t pay any attention to where they take the card, or how long they have it. And, it is so easy – all they need is a copy of the debit card receipt, or they simply copy down your debit card information in private and use it later, or they can even take a picture of the front and back of the card with a cell phone…
Definitely, in restaurants, bars, and even many retail transactions, get in the habit of using your credit card instead of your debit card! (And, if you aren’t already aware of it, nearly all debit cards can be used as credit cards, too.)
Gas Stations
Just like your local ATM machine, gas stations can be a target for thieves to steal your information. Not only are gas stations normally poorly staffed, with only minimal supervision of the pumps (and the pay at the pump swipe), but they are also easier to target than banks. Most gas stations don’t have video cameras on the pumps and that lone clerk that works the night shift is often stocking the shelves, or filling the coolers, during the slow times. Then, it’s easy for a thief to sneak up to the pumps, slip the skimmer onto the pay at the pump device, install a camera, and just sit back and collect card and even PIN numbers.
Again, using your credit card instead of your debit card will provide that extra layer of protection between the transaction and your bank account!
Online Transactions
Okay, so we all love shopping online! But, how do you normally pay for your purchases? Do you use a credit card or do you use your debit card? Most eCommerce sites will let you do both – but, you should ALWAYS use your credit card!
Not only do you have the risk of the unscrupulous employee at the other end of the transaction stealing your information from the physical location, but you also run the risk of your information being stolen via malware on your computer or on the merchant’s computer, or even via criminals “listening in” on your wireless network.
Simply put, credit cards offer far more protection than debit cards in dealing with most cases of theft, fraudulent use, and even when you receive goods or services that are not as promised.
When credit card users report fraudulent charges, the charges are typically credited to your card within a few days, but when thieves have stolen money from your checking account, it can take MONTHS for reimbursement!
Can you afford to wait MONTHS if thieves were to clean out your checking account? Use your debit and credit cards wisely!
Paying Off Your Christmas Credit Card Bills
Christmas is over. The presents have all been unwrapped. The decorations are all stored away until next year. And now you’re just waiting for the January surprise…that’s right, your credit card bills will soon start to arrive in your mailbox!
If you’ve been careful and tracked your spending habits, your January “surprise” may not be much of a surprise. If not, well…we all know that sinking feeling as you open those bills and realize just how much the holidays cost this year.
Unless you want to spend most of the New Year paying off last year’s bills, you’ll definitely want to pay off those credit cards as quickly as possible. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Stop spending! Many people get Christmas bonuses, monetary gifts from relatives, and the like, and then not only spend that money, but continue to use their credit cards to buy the things they wanted for Christmas and didn’t get. Or they feel entitled to it, since so much money was spent on everyone else during the holidays. Don’t fall into this trap. Stop spending. Stop using the credit cards and start spending responsibly again.
- Always pay more than the minimum amount due! If you can possibly afford it, pay as much as you can towards the balance on your cards. Consider putting that Christmas bonus, or that extra cash you received as gifts, toward paying down, or paying off, your credit card bills.
- Consider a balance transfer to a card with a lower interest rate, or even a 0% introductory interest rate, that will allow you to transfer the balances of all your credit cards to one account. Then, pay the account off before the introductory period expires. (And don’t use the other cards in the meantime!)
- File your income tax return as quickly as possible, if you normally get a refund, and use your refund to pay off your credit card balances.
And finally, a quick tip for next Christmas:
- Set a responsible budget for holiday spending and stick to it! Many people get so wrapped up in Christmas and trying to get everything that everyone wants, that they forget about all the bills that are piling up. Don’t allow this to happen to you. Keep track of what you spend on each and every person on your gift list, and of what you put on each and every credit card that you have. That way, there’s no January “surprise” in your mail box next year!
Managing Your Card Online
You can still go into a bank and do your transactions. You can fall into a line and wait your turn. You can elect to speak to a consultant in person. This option is still available and will be for some time. But in a modern and fast-paced society there are other considerations available to you. The internet has opened up a whole new world and with it many possibilities.
Have you ever considered managing an account online? Do you have a credit card and do you phone in or go to the bank for enquiries, statements, account balances and changes? There are definite benefits when you manage your account online. If you have access to the internet at home, you can save yourself a lot of time. In fact, it does not even matter where you are and what you are doing, as you can access your account online from just about anywhere. It is secure and convenient and you can keep track of your transactions and payments.
Many cell phones and smart phones have access to the internet, which means that you have the required internet connection 24/7. Check your balance when you are on vacation or on the beach, away on business or in a coffee shop. It gives you a lot of freedom.
You can make online payments, or set up a direct debit and even make debit card payments. It is possible to set up email alerts to tell you when payments are due or when you have reached your credit limit. You can be in complete control of your account, so to speak.
Instead of receiving statements in the mail, you can view yours online and you can do so anytime of the month, day or night. Even back statements are accessible. No more hassles with paper statements that have to be filed away or which get lost.
You can update any new personal details. If you have a new address or cell phone, you can go online and record the new details. Now you don`t have to hold on forever when you phone a bank or go to the branch and stand in a line just to find out later, the change you requested has not been processed.
In the event that you have forgotten your PIN, you can check it online. You can also use the online credit card to transfer a balance to your card. The deal that the company offers in this regard also has a bearing on whether a card is right for you or not.
Interest rates differ, so be sure to look at the rates that the various credit card issuers offer. Even though an online account is convenient, managing your finances effectively is the bottom-line and the rate you will pay on outstanding balances is crucial. Does the card offer cash rewards? Does it give cash back and discounts at selected retailers and can you view these online?
Compare all the online credit cards to find one that suits your personal style using Moneysupermarket.com which gives you access to a wide range of credit cards to choose from.
Top Five Ways to Manage Your Credit Score
Responsibly managing your credit doesn’t have to be difficult, but if you don’t manage your credit responsibly, it can be difficult to get credit…and without credit, you can’t get that new car, or buy your first house, or even get a decent job in many cases.
So, let’s look at the top five ways to establish and maintain a good credit score:
- Establishing Credit – Sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it? Actually, it can be harder than it seems. With the economy in such turmoil, many lenders are simply not handing out credit cards and/or loans the way that they once did, so if you don’t have credit, you may have to start with one a subprime credit card, or in some cases, even a prepaid credit card. If you already know your approximate credit score, it’s as easy as comparing credit cards that cater to your credit score, choosing the one with the lowest APR, or the best rewards program, or that doesn’t charge an annual fee, and simply filling out the online application. If, however, you don’t know your credit score, it’s advisable to take a look at your credit report and then apply for your new credit card.
- Spend Responsibly – Credit cards are not “free money,” even though it feels that way at times. Whatever you charge on your credit card will have to be repaid, and if you don’t pay the balance in full every month, you’ll actually end up paying MORE for anything that you put on your credit card. Therefore, it’s advisable to only use your card for those purchases that you can either pay in full every month OR for those unexpected emergencies where you actually need to pay over time.
- Pay Your Bills on Time – To maintain your credit score, regardless of whether it is excellent, good, fair, or even poor, you must pay your bills on time. This applies to your credit card bills, your loan payments, and all sorts of other accounts, such as utility bills, doctor’s statements, insurance premiums…the list goes on. Simply put, if you can do so, pay ALL of your bills on time, every time.
- Increasing Your Credit Limits – As you establish a good credit history, many credit card companies will begin to offer you increases in your credit line. sometimes these increases are automatic, others you will need to request the credit line increase. Either way that this works, whenever you’re in a position to increase your credit line, it’s actually to your advantage to do so. The more credit that you have available, with the lowest amount of overall credit usage, can significantly increase your credit score. And, increasing your credit limit on a credit card is like applying for a new credit card, except that you’re not penalized for having the additional credit inquiries added to your credit report.
- Adding New Lines of Credit – Once you’ve responsibly managed your credit for a while, your credit score will stabilize, and you can begin to open new lines of credit as needed for major purchases, such as household appliances, auto repairs, etc. Remember however, you should always pay the item off as quickly as possible so that your debt to available credit ratio declines, thereby increasing your available credit, and potentially raising your overall credit score even further. (Only do this once or twice per year, though, as having too many inquiries into your credit report can actually lower your credit score.)
Which Credit Card Will You Choose Next?
Many people who were once wary about using credit cards are now rushing to get credit from their company of choice. One reason for this is that many credit card companies nowadays are willing to give credit cards to almost everybody, even to people with bad credit. The companies are reasoning that they will make money from people who do not pay their bills on time as well as more responsible consumers, since the former tend to pay higher interest rates and late fees. There are very few people who simply do not pay off their credit cards at all and attempt to disappear. Therefore, there is little risk of extending credit to people who will absolutely not pay off their credit cards.
Therefore, one should be cautious before obtaining credit cards. It might be tempting to sign up if there is a claim of absolutely no rejection, but if you do not use the card or cannot pay off your bills, your credit cards might end up costing you a fortune in the long run. It is a good idea to be selective concerning which credit cards you wish to obtain and to think carefully before signing up.
There are many different types of credit cards on the market these days, including:
· Cards for those with good credit · Cards for those with bad credit · Smart cards · Reward cards · Credit cards for minors
Significant benefits are given to those who have good credit. Many companies offer premium gold or platinum credit cards with no annual fees, 0% APR and a higher credit limit. This means that you can make more purchases with few or no restrictions. Therefore, it is important to keep your gold and platinum credit cards under close watch, since a thief can make significant charges to your account.
Many more credit card companies are offering credit cards to people with bad credit. They are willing to take this risk in exchange for an annual fee and a low APR. Many companies will check employment history, but many more nowadays will rely on the fee rather than past records. Instead of avoiding credit cards completely, it is a good idea for those with a flawed credit history to apply for these kinds of credit cards, to make modest, regular purchases with their cards, and to make payments on time. This will help repair their credit, which is a gradual process.
With identity theft occurring more frequently, smart credit cards are becoming more popular among security conscious consumers. Smart cards are embedded with microprocessor chips, which hold more information than traditional magnetic strips. These smart chips encrypt information to prevent cloning and fraud. If your chip is disabled, the company is automatically notified.
Reward cards are a popular way of earning air miles, hotel points or free gas as you use your credit card in the supermarket or the shopping mall. Many consumers enjoy accumulating points for these items as they make their ordinary purchases. It usually takes some time before you will be able to receive free items, and it is not such a good idea to make extraneous purchases just to earn more points, but many feel that the regular shopping they do will eventually pay off in the form of rewards.
Many parents are understandably leery of trusting their teenagers with credit cards. However, they would like their kids to learn early on about how to use credit responsibly, pay bills on time. A good compromise solution is to get a special credit card for your teenager that can be monitored. These credit cards have limits on them stipulated by the parents and allow parents to be informed of each transaction. Therefore, it is impossible for a teenager to spend more money than the parents will allow.
About the Author: Nester Riddle invites you to find tips about hip exercises, human tapeworms and other information at the Health And Nutrition Tips website.
Key Credit Card Factors to Consider
A credit card can be an asset to your lifestyle, but if not handled carefully it can become a liability, especially if you find it so convenient and easy to use that you lose control of your spending.
This short guide will help you understand how you can use your credit card so it works to your advantage, not against you.
Advantages
A credit card can:
- Offer free use of funds, provided you always pay your balance in full, on time.
- Be more convenient to carry than cash.
- Help you establish a good credit history.
- Provide a convenient payment method for purchases made on the Internet and over the telephone.
- Give you incentives, such as reward points, that you can redeem.
Disadvantages
On the other hand, credit cards can:
- Cost much more than other forms of credit, such as a line of credit or a personal loan, if you don’t pay on time.
- Damage your credit rating if your payments are late.
- Allow you to build up more debt than you can handle.
- Have complicated terms and conditions.
What is a credit card?
A credit card is more then a simple piece of plastic, it is first and foremost a flexible payment tool accepted at 30 million locations worldwide, and if the card balance is paid off every month, then no interest is charged on purchases made so, essentially, short-term credit is granted without the consumer paying any interest.
Among its many features it provides:
- Access to unsecured credit (no collateral required against amounts charged)
- Interest-free payment from time of purchase to the end of the billing period
- Instant payment of purchases, allowing for instant receipt of goods and services
- 24/7 access
- Fraud protection
However before you decide to use your credit card, carefully consider all of the factors and weigh them against your personal needs and values.
What about credit card control?
Handling money and credit cards wisely is a talent few of us are born with. But it is a skill that can easily be learned. The place to start is with budgeting.
What is a Budget?
It’s simply an organized way of managing your finances, basically, it gives you an overall picture of where your money is coming from, when it’s coming in and how it’s being spent. A budget should be flexible, changing according to your circumstances.
Why Budget?
Budgeting helps us achieve short-term goals like paying the monthly bills on time; it’s also for longer-term financial goals like buying a home, a car, paying for an education, a wedding or a holiday. When you take control of your financial affairs, you’re more confident about the future.
A budget is key to financial control. It gives you a “Polaroid picture” of where you stand financially and where you’re heading.
Credit card control tips:
- Use a low or no-fee credit card and save on the annual fee that some companies charge.
- Only charge to your credit cards what you can pay off in full when the bill comes.
- You might not use your credit card as much if you start believing that you have to pay off your entire balance at the end of each month.
A good way to help to reduce what you pay on your credit card is to search for a card with a lower interest rate. Many financial institutions now offer at least one of these types of cards. Remember that when you take a cash advance on your credit card, the interest starts accumulating immediately and not on the due date of your credit card bill. Also keep in mind that if you make only the minimum monthly repayment you may never get out of debt.
Conclusion
The main advantage of having a credit card is convenience, but if you’re not good at budgeting and managing your finances, the over-use of credit cards can leave you with a debt that’s very difficult to pay back.
About the Author: Lance Rush offers tips on normal wbc, reticular veins and other information, visit the Health And Nutrition Tips website.
Credit Card Terms And Conditions – A Closer Examination
It’s sad but today most credit card companies are devious and they’ve designed everything possible into the fine print of their terms of service to catch you. Therefore, when looking at any credit card offer, make sure you take a close look at the fine print.
Believe me, I am fully aware that it’s purposely put together to appear like a maze, but because it’s so vitally important to your financial well-being and with the current trend towards “relatively” easier-to-read summary boxes you no longer have a legitimate excuse for ignoring the terms of service.
That being said, I’ve outlined a few of the key aspects to look for that are normally “hidden” away in the fine print of most credit card offers.
The Annual Fee Although it’s not as common as it once was, it’s still around. Especially, on the so-called higher status Gold and Platinum cards which still tend to charge much higher fees than the “basic” credit card. Annual fees are simply an easy way to get another $39.95 to $79.95 or more from each and every customer. It may not sound like much but it adds up when you’ve got millions of customers. If you give the company a call you can normally get it waived and if they won’t then don’t take out the card or cancel the one you’ve got – it’s the principle of it.
Late Payment Fees and Penalty Charges Cash advance fees, late payment charges and exceeding your credit limit are the types of fees you need to pay attention to when checking out the fine print. Many cards have unjustifiably high fees and if they do you shouldn’t sign up for them. Just say no!
Calculating Interest Because it’s so hard to understand (they make it that way on purpose) this is often one of the most overlooked, yet important aspects hidden away in the fine print. There are basically three methods being used to calculate interest on your balances.
Adjusted Balance Not as common as it once was but some companies are still using it. In a nutshell, you are charged interest on whatever your balance was on the day the company sent you the bill.
Previous Balance Basically, this method is simply a horse of a different color. In this version you are charged interest on your balance as it stood at the end of the previous billing cycle regardless of how much you’ve spent or paid off since. Some consider this a tad bit easier to understand.
Average Daily Balance Last but certainly not least. This method is currently the most common and it’s also the most complicated. Using this method your balance is added up at the end of each day in the billing cycle, it’s then divided by number of days that have transpired in that billing cycle and interest is charged in this amount. I know, clear as mud.
If your balance jumps around this method may be slightly better for you than the other methods because it keeps you from paying full interest on a balance that just happened to be large on the billing date.
You should also be paying attention to the monthly rate of interest rather than just relying on the APR. APR is an estimate of the total cost of borrowing but it’s the monthly interest plus the various fees and charge that will show you exactly how much you are paying.
Grace Period This is extremely important for about 40% of all credit card holders because that’s the approximate number of people who pay off their balances each month. It’s also important for the remaining 60% because then you can avoid interest on new purchases for the first 30 days or so. As a result, make sure that the card you’re looking at has a grace period on purchases; otherwise, you could end up being charged interest from the moment you buy something. On the other hand, virtually no credit card company offers a card with a grace period on cash advances or credit card checks.
Currency Conversion Fees This only applies if you plan on using a card outside the country. If it does apply to you, take a look at what you’ll be charged for transactions made in other currencies. Some cards are much more expensive than others.
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About the Author: Levi Solomon is an expert author, who also invites you to learn about brown trout fishing and scallop fishing at his Fishing Worms site.
How Credit Cards Can Protect You
Using credit cards can strengthen your personal protection. While appearing to be the same, there are significant differences between credit cards and debit cards. A big Caveat…
However, this strategy does come with a big caveat.
* If you have the discipline to pay off your balance each month, then this strategy is for you.
* If you’re prone to over-spending and need to limit temptation, this may not be the best strategy.
Only you can decide… it’s your money.
It comes down to liability and control. About credit cards…
If you lose a credit card, your liability is limited to $50 and you have 60 days to make a written claim to your card company.
With a credit card, you’re using OPM or other people’s money to make purchases. At the end of the billing period, you receive a statement and pay back the lender.
The card company makes money from this service by 1) charging you interest on any outstanding balance, and/or 2) annual and other fees.
When you use your card, you’re increasing the amount of control you have over a specific transaction.
For instance, if you have a dispute with a merchant. You may choose to call your card company and tell them not to pay the merchant and to remove the charge from your account.
In many cases, the card companies will withhold reimbursing the merchant until the matter has been resolved.
At no time was your money at risk until you were satisfied with the outcome. The merchant however, was pressured to resolve it to your (and the credit card company’s) satisfaction so he could get paid. What about debit cards…
With debit cards, the limit of your liability goes from $50 the first two days it’s lost, to $500 up to 60 days from being lost, then your liability is limited by your account balance.
With a debit card, the money is taken out of your account within 1-2 days, and sent directly to the merchant. If you have a dispute, the merchant is less motivated to help you because he already has your money.
He’s in the power position and controlling your money while you try to resolve this issue. You have to be careful not to upset him too much or he’ll just keep your money and write you off as a customer.
Final Note: If you can, use your credit card as much as possible. For those a little nervous about this, when you get home from purchasing something, immediately transfer that amount of money to your credit card company or another account you use exclusively to pay your credit card bills.
About the Author: David Koons How do protect those you care about? Discover the “2 Factors Essential To Your Personal Safety” and learn the simple steps you can take immediately to protect and, if necessary, defend against any threat. David Koons is an expert in self defense, personal protection strategies and former member of an elite military special forces unit. Lean more and discover the 2 Factors here: http://protectanddefendinc.comDon’t Swipe Recklessly During the Holiday Season!
When November rolls around every year, stores begin advertising like crazy, and people start getting in the mood to shop. Just about everyone has a list of people for whom gifts must be purchased, and the only way to accomplish this is obviously to spend money. Unfortunately, many people see the holiday season as a good excuse to put all purchases and expenses on a credit card because they don’t have enough cash on hand to pay for everything all at once.
The holiday season, however, is no reason to rack up credit card bills that can’t be paid. Using some smart shopping tips and other creative ideas can help prevent a person from spending too much money that they don’t have.
As long as the holiday season is celebrated in moderation each year, people can rest assured that credit card debt will not haunt them for the rest of their lives. This is in no way saying that credit cards are not useful tools and should not be used while shopping. It is, however, saying that credit cards should not be abused during November and December each year.
It’s very easy to go to a shopping mall and want to buy everything that is seen on the shelves. With a credit card, it’s easy to over-buy things that aren’t really needed, because using plastic to buy things doesn’t always seem like real money is being spent. At times, credit card spending can get out of control very easily. To help curb this, a list of what needs to be bought on a shopping trip should be written before arriving. Once there, even though things are tempting, only items on the list should be purchased.
Another useful tip when it comes to using a credit card while shopping for gifts next holiday season is to write down everything that was purchased using the card. Making a list (and checking it twice!) will allow the credit card holder to keep track of how much was charged, and how large the bill will be at the end of the month. Many people are shocked when they receive their credit card statements in January of each year, because they are unaware that they charged so much during the months of November and December.
Something to keep in mind each holiday season is the fact that “more expensive” doesn’t always mean “better” when it comes to gifts. Many people would much rather receive a homemade gift, a home-cooked meal, or something small as opposed to an expensive items that may not even be liked or enjoyed by the recipient. Using creativity and the imagination when choosing gifts can do at least two things… be perceived as extremely thoughtful by the gift’s recipient, and also save money.
A fancy meal at a restaurant on Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas, or on New Year’s Eve is always fun. However, once it’s over… it’s over. And, when the meal which was eaten is paid for with a credit card, it’s sure to give a person an upset stomach when the credit card bill arrives a month later. Seeing a charge of several hundred dollars on a statement for food that was consumed, digested, and expelled a month ago can be upsetting. So, instead of eating out, consider having a low-key pot-luck dinner in the home. Guests may even enjoy this venue more than a crowded restaurant.
Using a credit card is definitely safer than carrying a huge amount of cash in a purse or a pocket while shopping during the holiday season. With a credit card, it if is lost or stolen, it can be reported immediately and the card can be deactivated. Also, it’s quicker and more time-efficient to swipe a credit card in a machine than take five minutes to write a check for a purchase. So, as long as spending can be kept under control and gift buying is kept to a minimum, using a credit card can be a smart choice in November and December of each year.
About the Author: Glen Singleton. To read about spoonbill catfish and jugging for catfish, visit the Types Of Catfish site.