How Credit Card Debt Can Ruin You, And How to Avoid it
Instead of reaching for a card to cover a big expense or to pay the bills for the week, try a personal loan.
Credit Cards Have a Place, Credit Card Debt Does Not
The way to use credit cards that makes sense, that benefit you and not the companies behind them, is to never carry a debt from one month to another. Credit cards can be quick and convenient and are especially good in an emergency. But, they only benefit you if you pay what is due each month in full. When you carry debt you pay interest and lose money. For many people it is nearly impossible to use credit cards without getting this kind of debt, which means most of us should avoid them.
Credit Card Debt Can Lower Your Credit
An important reason to avoid credit card debt is because it can lower your credit score. Credit reporting agencies look at how much you use on your cards relative to the amount of the line of credit. If it’s too high, your score goes down and you are considered an irresponsible borrower. A lower credit score can mean that getting another type of loan is impossible or more difficult and more expensive.
Credit Card Debt Limits Your Choices
The longer you hold on to credit card debt the more limited your options in life become. Having too much debt can ruin your credit score, but it can also mean that you never have enough money to do the things you want or need to do. It can prevent you from buying your own home, having a wedding, having kids, or going back to school to earn a degree or get a better job.
A Personal Loan – Alternative to Credit Card Debt
There is another option to credit card debt. Instead of reaching for a card to cover a big expense or to pay the bills for the week, try a personal loan. These online loans are based on income and payday, so approval is easy and reasonable. They are small loans to help you avoid going into too much debt. And, best of all they are loans that you are responsible for repaying within a few weeks. Unlike credit card companies, these lenders want you to repay the loan as soon as you can. It benefits both sides.
You can also consider using a personal loan to start consolidating and paying down credit card debt. Try using the quick cash to repay your cards and whittling down all your payments to just one. This makes it easier to remember repayment and to make it on time. You can access personal loans online, making them both smart and convenient.