1.) Letting your rewards or miles expire. Letting your credit card rewards points or miles expire is a common mistake. Make sure you read the fine print and know the rules of redemption or you could lose out big time.
2.) Paying only the minimum each month. You know you should pay more than the minimum and cut down on the interest you are paying for “borrowing” the balance. Thanks to the Credit CARD Act of 2009, your bill tells you how much it is going to cost you to pay off the balance over time.
3.) Paying late now and then. The credit card company wants you to pay, but doesn’t mind if you pay late. The credit card company can raise the interest rate on your new purchases as long as they give you 45 days’ notice. Not to mention the late fees of $29 to $39 you can incur.
4.) Ignore the mail. Not paying attention to your statement is a mistake the credit card companies hope you will make. These statements can contain valuable information such as fraudulent charges, which you will not have to pay- as long as you inform the credit card company right away- or notifications that your interest rate has increased.
5.) Using a balance transfer to rack up more debt. You transfer your outstanding balance to a card with a low or zero percent interest rate thinking you will save money. Shifting your debt around does not mean you are debt free. If you decide on a balance transfer, make sure you pay off your balance before the end of the promotional period and avoid adding additional charges to the card. Also be aware of balance transfer fees associated with these cards.
6.) Opting to go over your credit limit. Under the new law, if you do not opt in and you attempt to buy something that will put your balance over your credit limit, the transaction could be declined at checkout. If you opt in to this trap, it can cost you. You can face over-limit fees and higher interest rates on your credit card balances.
7.) Paying more fees than you earn in rewards. The goal is to maximize the rewards offered by your credit card company. If you do not travel, why sign up for an airline credit card? It is best to choose a card with no annual fee even if it has no rewards points program. Keep in mind, if you carry a balance even for one month beyond any promotional interest period, the interest you will pay can quickly diminish any rewards points you may have earned.
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If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.