Holiday shopping tips
By Lucy
Lazarony • Bankrate.com
Carry only two credit cards when shopping. Use
one with a zero balance for purchases you will pay off in full.
Use the other, low-interest-rate card for purchases you will pay
off over time.
Record all of your purchases in your checkbook
register. Even if you don't write a check, subtract the amount of
the purchase. That way, when the bill arrives, the money will be
in your checking account to pay the bill in full.
Avoid "skip payment" offers that cause you to
pay more interest and face larger bills. Avoid
"buy now and pay later" offers, which encourage you to spend money
you don't have.
Use a low-rate, major credit card instead of
high-rate department store cards.
Source: Myvesta.org,
formerly Debt Counselors of America
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