What is:GOOD DEBTBAD DEBTUse credit cards to float expenses9 of 11Maurer suggests charging all of your monthly household expenses on a credit card that offers a cash-back program. Then, maintain a higher balance in your checking account and use that to pay off your credit card debt in full just before your paycheck hits. This means your checking balance would be low for only a day or two each month before it picks back up."Over your lifetime, you'll be earning a bigger chunk of your monthly interest," Maurer says.This idea only works if you pay off the balance every month and on time, and if you keep more income in an interest-bearing account than you have monthly expenses. Cecere says to be sure to use only one credit card. Multiple credit cards can get you into trouble. Related Articles:Credit cardsMortgage calculatorStudent loansDump debt in 2010Related Links:Best 2010 credit card movesDebt reliefDebt payment calculator10 ways to debt disaster advertisement
Maurer suggests charging all of your monthly household expenses on a credit card that offers a cash-back program. Then, maintain a higher balance in your checking account and use that to pay off your credit card debt in full just before your paycheck hits. This means your checking balance would be low for only a day or two each month before it picks back up.
"Over your lifetime, you'll be earning a bigger chunk of your monthly interest," Maurer says.
This idea only works if you pay off the balance every month and on time, and if you keep more income in an interest-bearing account than you have monthly expenses. Cecere says to be sure to use only one credit card. Multiple credit cards can get you into trouble.
Bankrate wants to hear from you and encourages thoughtful and constructive comments. We ask that you stay focused on the story topic, respect other people's opinions, and avoid profanity, offensive statements, illegal contents and advertisement posts. Comments are not reviewed before they are posted. Bankrate reserves the right (but is not obligated) to edit or delete your comments. Please avoid posting private or confidential information, and also keep in mind that anything you post may be disclosed, published, transmitted or reused.
By submitting a post, you agree to be bound by Bankrate's terms of use. Please refer to Bankrate's privacy policy for more information regarding Bankrate's privacy practices.