Yes, there are many occasions when it is not a good idea to use your credit card as it is so easy to get into debt. For instance, if you are the kind of person who has very little self control and has to have something you have seen in the shop window today, even if you are not going to have any money to pay for it for a couple of weeks, a credit card is perhaps not a good idea. This is because, with the best will in the world, the money that you do receive in two weeks time will probably get spent on something else leaving you with an outstanding credit card balance on which you could end up paying a high rate of interest.
Anyway, enough of the negativity. Let’s look at when it is a good idea to use your credit card.
Cash Back
With some credit card companies, every time you make a purchase you can receive between 1% to 5% as a cash back.
Frequent Flyer Air Miles
Many airlines provide one air mile for every dollar that you spend (or sometimes two dollars) so, if you do fly on a regular basis you can quickly build up miles to go towards paying for a future flight.
Insurance
Many credit cards provide some form of insurance or extended warranty protection For instance, if they provide travel insurance you may not need to arrange separate coverage. The extended warranty protection provided with some credit cards can be greater than the extended warranty protection offered on the item you have just bought with your credit card.
Points
Sometimes for every $5 that you spend using your credit card you are given 1 point. Those points will build up and can be exchanged for a gift card thus saving you money when using the gift card rather than spending your own money.
Grace Period
Legally, your credit card company must give you a minimum period of 21 days from the issue of the billing statement to pay off your balance in full without paying interest. So, if you timed your purchase to perfection, if you bought an item as the billing cycle closes you would have at least 21 days to pay off the balance to avoid paying interest. In the meantime, you could leave the money to cover your credit card balance sitting in your high interest checking account earning interest.
Signup Bonus
Some credit card companies will pay a bonus to provide a credit worthy new customer with one of their credit cards. The amount can vary between $50 to $250.
Introductory Rate
Many credit cards provide a 0% introductory rate of interest on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months or more resulting in you saving a sizeable sum with both types of transaction.
So, as you can see there are some savings to be made if you have a credit card-just remember to use it sensibly.
There will be one Grand Prize winner in this sweepstakes and the prize is an awesome trip for two to Las Vegas, including airfare, hotel accommodations, and 2 tickets to see the premier of Michael Jackson One by Cirque du Soleil. If you’re a resident of the 48 contiguous United States (no AK or HI) who is 21 or older, you can enter daily until the promotion ends on May 15.
To enter, go to this Cirque du Soleil website. Enter your email address, and the next page will be a basic entry form. Fill it out and hit Enter to get your name in!
The coolest art of the new ProFlowers.com sweepstakes is that the winner can choose their destination: Paris, France, Napa Valley, CA, or St. Thomas. Whatever the winner chooses they’ll get airfare for two, a five or six night stay in a 4+ star rated hotel, and a check ranging from $1000-2500!. If you’re a US resident who is 18 or older you can enter. The limit is ten entries per person, and you need to have tehm in by May 7.
To enter, go to the ProFlowers website. There you can view the rules, and when you scroll down you’ll see the registration form.
In their latest promotion, Procter & Gamble are giving out a $1000 Walmart e-gift card to one lucky winner! If you’re a US resident who is 18 or older you can enter once daily until the sweepstakes ends on April 30.
To get your name in, head over to the Walmart/Procter & Gamble website. At the top there is a box that is scrolling different pictures and ads. Click the blue corner that says Enter for a Chance to Win. This will open up a new page. First you will have to register, although every day after that you’ll just have to enter your email address in the box for a quick entry. Your first time playing, click the words that say Not Registered? This will open a basic registration form. When you click on the Read and Accept button you’ll be presented with the official rules. Scroll down to the bottom and check the box indicating that you agree to them, and then you’ll be directed back to the registration form where all you have to do is hit Submit.
If you’re in to styling your car with the latest accessories, you’ve got to try this neon light kit for a great price! This great starter kit has two 48 inch tubes and two 30 inch tubes that burn a cool pink neon from underneath your car. Because under car lights are not legal in every state, contact your local DMV/BMV to make sure you can use them in your state.
When you’re ready to buy, go to the 5StarDeals website. This kit has been marked down from $70 to $33 for today only, and you’ll pay just $2.99 for shipping. Click the blue Buy Now button and pay at the checkout.
Right now Vistaprint is offering free short-sleeve t-shirts – all you have to pay is $6 for shipping! The t-shirt will include free front printing, so you can customize it however you’d like! The t-shirt is free for sizes S to XL, but if you want an XXL shirt you’ll have to pay an additional $1.99.
To get yours, go to the Vistaprint website. On the left side you’ll see a box that says Free Short Sleeve T-shirts. Click on the blue Get Started button then follow the instructions for customizing your shirt on the next page!
CouponCabin is a great website if you’re looking for online coupon codes. Right now they’re even hosting their own giveaway, where one lucky winner will take home a Toshiba Excite tablet valued at $350! If you’re a US resident who is 18 or older you can enter, but it’s limited to one entry per person. Make sure you get your name in before the promotion ends on April 30.
To enter, go to the CouponCabin website. Up in the right corner you’ll find the sweepstakes announcement – click the blue words that say Enter Here. It’s SO easy to enter – just enter your email address in the little window that pops up. You can also uncheck the box about CouponCabin emails, since it is not required to enter.
Ryan Seacrest – famous as the host of American Idol – has as website where they feature quite a few giveaways. The latest is for a $500 Shell gas card, and FIVE people will win! To enter you must be a US resident who is 13 or older. Each person can enter one time and should get their name in by April 19.
To enter, go to the Ryan Seacrest website. Scroll down and you’ll find a basic entry form with things such as name, address, email, birthday, and phone number. Fill it out and check the box at the bottom that says you agree to the rules (you do not have to agree to Ryan Seacrest emails in order to enter). When I entered the button at the bottom didn’t say Enter or Submit, but was just a little yellow square. Perhaps a slight glitch, just click it and you will be entered.
Do you consider yourself the King (or Queen) of the grill? Right now Macy’s has a contest for you, and winning would surely give you bragging rights for the rest of your life! They are looking for great grilling recipes and the prize is $10,000 plus a trip to NYC to see the Macy’s July 4th Fireworks Show! If you’re a US resident who is 18 or older you can enter one time – so choose your best recipe and get it in by April 27.
To enter, go to this Macy’s Facebook page. Click the red Enter Now button and then like Macy’s and allow the app. The final page has a short entry form and a place to type out your recipe. Good luck!
The Black & Decker eBay store has a great deal on a refurbished leaf blower. The leaf blower is 18 volts and cordless, weighing only 4.8 pounds. Worried about buying a refurbished item? Your purchase comes with a 2-year limited warranty from Black and Decker!
To get yours, head over to the Black & Decker eBay page. The price is $29.99 and you’ll automatically get free shipping. Click the blue Buy It Now button and then pay at the checkout.
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