Save Money and Reap Rewards With Responsible Credit Card Use

5% rebate on ALL grocery purchases, 5% rebate on Meralco bills, and 0.5% rebate on ALL other purchases – these I get from our Citibank Cashback Card. Aside from all these rebates, I also get other freebies when dining out and when shopping.

Now, Citibank has given me another reason to love it all the more. They’re offering a 20% discount for our much-awaited concert this year – the Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival. Hooray! The 20% discount is only available until the end of August so get your tickets now. It’s always great when you have a credit card that gives you perks too. It’s not just Citibank that offers rewards either. You can get some nifty perks with an American Express Credit Card too! I don’t have one of these credit cards just yet but I know people who do and they all say that the perks are great. You can use them in stores, for Airmiles and much more.

Perks like these are one of the many reasons why I enjoy having my own credit card. I have heard though of people who shun plastics and of those who have overwhelming debts because of their credit cards and because they didn’t use a credit card interest calculator to calculate their interest. Whether you have found yourself in a situation like this, you’ll be able to find help for veterans in debt to single moms looking for a solution to help manage their finances better. There’s no harm in asking for some help, especially when it comes to money. To make your credit card work for you by giving you loads of freebies and discounts, you may want to consider these pointers:

1. Keep your charge slips until you receive your billing statement. This will make it easier for you to check any discrepancies in your billing statement.
2. Monitor your purchases. To avoid going over your monthly budget or your maximum allowable purchases, keep track of your current charges. Better yet, set a ceiling amount for purchases each month and make sure you don’t go over it.
3. Always pay the full amount before the due date. It may seem great to have to pay only P5000 for P40000 worth of purchases but high finance charges would mean that you would eventually be paying up to P60000 if you don’t pay the full amount each billing date. So you have to make sure that you have enough cash to cover your purchases before you swipe your credit card.(figures may be a little exaggerated but you get the thought, right?)
4. Take advantage of perks and privileges. All credit card companies now offer a host of privileges for credit card holders. These can range from free movies, free meals, rebates, and premium items which can be redeemed through points earned or minimum purchases met. There are even companies online, such as GoBear, which can help you compare credit card providers to help you find the best one for you.
5. Keep your card safe and make sure that your transactions are secure. Credit card scams abound so be extra careful when using your cards. Immediately report any lost or stolen card. Also report any discrepancies in your billing statements.

We’ve heard how credit card companies have kept people in debt, but with wise and responsible use of your credit cards you’re bound to actually SAVE money and reap scores of rewards.