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Monday, February 2, 2009

Credit Card debts: Causes and Prevention

A credit card is part of a system of payments named after the small plastic card issued to users of the system. It is a card entitling its holder to buy goods and services based on the holders promise to pay for these goods and services.The issuer of the card grants a line of credit to the consumer from which the user can borrow money for payment to a merchant or as a cash advance to the user. Due to the reason of the convenience of the credit card, it become so popular among consumers. Consumers can buy things they like without paying cash. but this also become a threat to consumers which is heavy credit card debt.

Credit card debt is an example of unsecured consumer debt, accessed through ISO 7810 plastic credit cards. Debt results when a client of a credit card company purchases an item or service through the card system. Debt accumulates and increases via interest and penalties when the consumer does not pay the company for the money he or she has spent. The results of not paying this debt on time are that the company will charge a late payment penalty and report the late payment to credit rating agencies. Being late on a payment will be charged a penalty. And the penalty itself increases the amount of debt the consumer has.
We would like to tell that when you are too deep in credit card debt, there have such potential which 15% or more of your monthly income is going to pay your credit card bills, you have triggered one of the many warning signs that your credit card debt is out of control. There are other triggers too which are paying the monthly payments on one credit card by taking out a cash advance on another credit card.

Causes of credit card debt:
a. For the new users of using credit card, they maybe getting too excited and they like to buy branded products such as Nikel shoes, LV handbag, Rolex watch and etc without control and planning.

b. Low knowledge for using credit card. Debters alway not alert about the high penalty of the credit card if they not pay back on time. There are really high interest loans in disguise such as Finance charge, Annual fee, Cash advance fee, Late payment fee and etc. These interest loans will make the debt become heavier and heavier.



Prevention:

a. Develop a budget: The first step toward taking control of your spending is to do a realistic assessment of how much money you take in and how much money you spend. Start by listing your income from all sources. Then, writing down all your expenses, even those that seem insignificant, is a helpful way to track your spending patterns, identify necessary expenses, and prioritize the rest.

b. Keep your credit limit low. You should call the credit card issuer and ask him or her to lower your credit limit. A low credit limit will help you resist the urge to splurge.

c. Prefer use cash to pay. When we see the colourful cash pay for the goods, we will be more alert and will automatically ask ourself that am I have spent too much? Through this we can control ourself to buy only the necessary products.
d. Self control and discipline. One of the best practices is to have a direct set up so that able to pay back the full amount each month and use in emergencies. Thus, self control and discipline to keep these cards in wallet and would not overspend.
Reference:
  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_card
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_card_debt#Credit_card_debt_statistics
  3. http://ecommercesite.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/credit-card-debts-causes-and
    prevention/
  4. http://www.naturalnews.com/001101.html

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