SuperCharged Secret 1 of 5 - Credit Card Utopia

I AM THE CONSUMER. AND I HAVE LOW-RATE SUPER-POWERS!

Note: The following is part 1 of a 5 part series. Over the course of these next 5 articles, I am going to introduce you to several methods for maximizing the use and benefits of the best Credit Cards and offers on the market today. This information, when used in conjunction with one another, is unlike anything you've ever seen before. I like to call this approach, the "5 SuperCharged Secrets to Credit Card Utopia."

  • SECRET 1: I AM THE CONSUMER. AND I HAVE LOW-RATE SUPER-POWERS!

  • SECRET 2: INTEREST BEWARE, THERE'S SAFETY IN NUMBERS!

  • SECRET 3: TURBO-CHARGED KILLER RATE SAVING INFORMATION!

  • SECRET 4: YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, AND I'LL BUY SOME MORE BEER!

  • SECRET 5: LIVING IN CREDIT CARD UTOPIA

    Without further Ado, let's get started:

    SECRET 1: I AM THE CONSUMER. AND I HAVE LOW-RATE SUPER-POWERS!

    1) How would you like a zero interest credit card?

    WHAT? Did you say ZERO interest? That's like 0.00%, or .0000000%, or nothing, or nada, or no interest? Tom! Can't be!!!

    2) Actually, that's exactly what I mean.

    You can have zero interest on a perfect day, or, can you live with 4% interest? I just received a credit card offer for 4% interest (which I turned down?), but if I needed it, that is completely reasonable, don't you think?

    3) You see, you are the consumer, and you have Low-Rate Super Powers!

    This is a hot, credit-hungry market we're in. There are banks and lending institutions that would do just about anything to entice you in to their little web of plastic loanery.

    4) Here's Secret #1 revealed:

    Credit Card companies are competing with each other, by offering consumers like us, low-interest, to no interest, balance transfers on already existing debt. Granted, these are usually (but not always?) limited to a time period like 6 months?

    But, what do you care? 6 months of zero interest is certainly MUCH better than 6 months of 19% interest, RIGHT?

    5) The first, most important thing you need to do, is examine if you have outstanding balances on other credit cards. If you do, then wisen up!

    Let me be your Dad for a second?"Stop being lazy!" Go shop for a new credit card, and ask them if they offer balance transfer opportunities. Virtually ALL OF THEM DO! When you get the answer you're looking for, apply. They'll send you a nifty letter in the mail with a bunch of blank checks. Have a feel day! Go pay off your other credit cards, transfer the balances, and start enjoying zero to low interest! Pretty cool, huh?

    6) But TOM, what do I do in six months?

    Oh please. You know what you need to do. Mark your calendar, or your Franklin Covey, or your PDA, or whatever you use, and repeat the procedure again in 6 months (hot-tip: look for no-time limit zero interest balance transfers.)

    This is easy stuff, folks. But it does take a couple extra steps.

    That's why people AREN'T DOING IT, if you can believe that!

    Well, it's your turn to be the smart consumer, right? Take this BIG, HUGE, sensible first step, and you are well on your way to the pearly gates of Credit Card Utopia!

    We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.

    Publisher's Directions:

    This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author's information, disclaimer, and an active link (where possible) are included.

    Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials herein are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The author will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.

    About The Author

    Tom Levine provides a solid, common sense approach to solving problems and answering questions relating to consumer loan products. His website seeks to provide free online resources for the consumer, including rate-watch, tips and articles, financial communication, news, and links to products and services. You can check out Tom's website here: http://loanresource.org, or you can email Tom at info@loanresource.org.

  • More Resources

    Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

    More Credit Information:

    Related Articles


    Credit Report - Look Out for Your Debit Report, Too
    Most consumers are aware that there are companies that keep track of their personal financial transactions - installment loans, mortgages, credit card accounts, bankruptcies and judgements. These items are assembled by the three main credit bureaus into a credit report, which is available upon request by lenders, employers and anyone else with whom a consumer might do business.
    10 Step Credit Repair Guide
    The process of clearing credit can be laborious and frustrating, but your efforts will be paid for in better financing. Your rights are protected by laws, but you need to take reasonable actions toward your goal of clearing credit discrepancies.
    What is Credit Counselling?
    Ever wondered what is Credit Counselling? There are occasions when you might encounter a financial situation that is beyond your scope which is when a session with a credit counsellor could be beneficial.If you're not disciplined enough to create a workable budget and stick to it, can't work out a repayment plan with your creditors, or can't keep track of mounting bills, consider contacting a credit counselling organisation.
    Credit Counseling: Could it Work for Me?
    In the face of financial hardship, many seeking a responsible solution turn to credit counseling. Credit counseling is, all too often, the last stop before bankruptcy.
    Rate Tarts Losing Ability to Cherry Pick
    A "rate tart" is someone who switches from one zero per cent introductory credit card deal to another to avoid paying interest; however they may be set to become something of the past. Recently a number of the major credit card companies, including Egg, Barclays, the Royal Bank of Scotland and MBNA have introduced transfer charges for people who want to shift their outstanding credit card balances to a new card to take advantage of a zero per cent introductory rate.
    How To Repair Your Credit Report
    A credit report is run on a buyer when he or she needs to buy something that will take a long-term loan, such as an automobile or a house. The credit report can come from one of three agencies - Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.
    10 Ways of Reducing the Risk of Identity Theft
    1- Check your credit report regularly2- Secure personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your home.3- minimize the amount of information someone can steal, do not carry extra credit cards, your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport in your wallet or purse, except when needed.
    First Major Regulatory and Legislative Victory of 2005 for Creditors and Consumers
    Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, collectors are not allowed to disclose a consumers past due debt to anyone other than the debtor and in some cases a spouse. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act would have required collectors to identify the registered name of their business in any pre-recorded messages to consumers or debtors.
    Establishing Credit - What You Need To Know Part 2
    In my previous article "Establishing Credit - What You Need To Know Part 1" I discussed the need for a good credit history and what lenders were looking for prior to loaning an individual money or additional funds based on their credit history. This article will go into the necessary steps someone needs to take in order to initially establish their credit history.
    Update Your Computer System With Bad Credit Computer Financing
    The moment I placed myself in front of the computer screen a whole new world beckoned me to join it. And years of strolling have proved incompetent to get me acquainted with the full panorama of computers.
    Bad Credit? No Credit? Yeah, Its a Problem.
    Many companies use the slogan "Bad Credit? No Credit? No Problem!" The truth is that it is in fact a problem and there is no easy way to correct it. It takes a lot of time and effort to obtain credit when you do not have any and even longer to fix bad credit.
    Useful Tips on Using Credit Cards
    Here are some useful tips on using credit cards. Whether you shop online, by telephone or by mail, a credit card can make buying many things much easier; but when you use a credit card, it's important to keep track of your spending.
    Free Credit Reports Now Available From the FTC
    The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has set up a new website (www.AnnualCreditReport.
    Why Consumers Need a Nationwide Credit Freeze NOW
    What do a shoe retailer, an online discount broker, and a popular clothing retailer all have in common? All three - DSW Shoe Warehouse, Ameritrade, and Polo Ralph Lauren - sustained breaches to their customers' accounts. Unfortunately, these three are not alone when it comes to security breaches.
    Good Credit Is a Necessity for Everyday Living
    Most of us want a good credit report to obtain vehicle financing, credit cards for emergencies and luxuries, and to finance a home mortgage. However, beyond these consumer loans, a great credit report makes your life easier.
    How You Can Help Prevent Identity Theft
    How can I prevent Identity theft from happening to me? Never leave your receipt or slip in the ATM or gas pump. Pay attention to your habits, lock up or organize and file your bills, and bank statements.
    Maximizing Credit Card Rewards
    In their quest to get you to sign up for their credit card, banks and financial institutions are coming up with more and higher incentives to entice you. Frequent flyer miles gave way to gas miles which opened the door for cash rebates and reward points to be used at 'our fine member merchants'.
    What You Didnt Know About Your Credit Card Numbers
    Have you ever really looked at your credit card and tried to figure out what that huge string of numbers really means? Do these card issuers have so many customers that your account number has to be 16 digits long?You may be surprised to know that all those numbers you see actually do stand for something, and it's not just who you are. Let's take a look.
    Credit Counseling Basics
    Credit counseling is an option you might want to consider if you are having financial problems. The stress can be overwhelming when you have creditors calling you daily to collect money that you simply don't have.
    Fair Isaac Corporation Credit or FICO Score
    As I am not from the US, I had no idea what FICO meant before researching it. FICO stands for Fair Isaac Corporation, a company based in California.