7 Most Serious Credit Card Mistakes

7 Most Serious Credit Card Mistakes

No doubt, a credit card enhances your purchasing power. However, you need to be cautious while using it. Here are some of the most serious credit card mistakes that spenders make. It would be best if you avoided these errors at all costs.

1. Carrying a balance from month to month
Carrying a balance from month to month is one of the most serious credit card mistakes as it damages your credit score and costs you financially. When you carry a balance forward, your credit utilization increases, and you have to incur interest charges as well.

2. Spending through the card on daily items
When you use your credit card on daily items, you pay more than the actual amount, especially if you fail to pay the monthly credit card bill because there is also an interest charge. So it is advisable not to use your credit card for everyday items like groceries.

3. Falling behind on payments
If you fall behind your credit card payment for 30 days, your credit score takes a hit. And, if you delay the payment for 60 days, your credit card provider may increase your interest rate as a measure of penalty. To prevent yourself from getting a bad credit score or being penalized, always set a reminder for credit card payments.

4. Paying minimum amounts
Being able to make minimum payments on the card might give you a sigh of relief. But it is one of the most serious credit card mistakes to make. The reason being, only making minimum payments stacks up unwanted interest charges. Also, it would take months or sometimes years to pay off your credit card debt. So, it is recommended to make complete payments instead of just paying in installments.

5. Having multiple credit cards
Having many credit cards can make it hard for you to remember payment dates. So, do not have multiple cards just to earn rewards. It takes only a few late payments for the credit card issuing companies to obliterate sign-up prizes and gifts.

6. Loaning the credit card
Loaning your card to someone else can be one of the most serious credit card mistakes. Ultimately, you are responsible for making the payment, even if the other person does not repay you the money spent. Unless it is a trusted friend or family member, you do not have any control over the purchases they make.

7. Not reviewing billing statements
The billing statement helps you track your bill amount and the transactions you have made so far. Even though most reports are accurate, sometimes there might be errors as well. So, it is always a good habit to review statements as and when you receive them.

Having a credit card is a good idea. However, you need to use it wisely to avoid penalties, high interest rates, and a bad credit score. So follow the above tips meticulously.