Google

Tips for Credit Card Surfers


Moving money from credit card to credit card to take advantage of interest free balance transfers and effectively borrowing money for free. It's even possible to make money by borrowing money, transferring the debt to an interest free card and investing the cash in a high interest savings account until the interest free period expires.

However, if you plan on being a serial card surfer, there are a number of things you need to do.

Firstly. Make sure you read the terms and conditions of the card to which you're transferring your balance and are aware of exactly what you're signing up for. Some cards, for example insist that you spend a certain amount per month on the card in order to qualify for the interest free balance transfer.

Secondly. Never, never, never spend any money on the card to which you transfer a balance. This is because, your monthly payment is always put towards paying off the transferred balance. This means that you will pay interest on everything you spend, even if you pay off as much as you spend every month.

Finally, make sure you know and write down the date that the balance transfer period ends. Better still, set an alarm on your mobile phone or PDA for seven working days before the expiry date. That will give you enough time to pay off the balance before the interest free period ends.

Follow these simple guidelines and you can surf from credit card to credit card and never pay any interest on transferred balances.

Robert Armstrong is a contributor to Consumer IQ - a site dedicated to publishing the UK's best high street and online deals.

MORE RESOURCES:

RELATED ARTICLES

How Do I Establish A Good Line of Credit?
A line of credit, roughly defined, is the amount of credit that can be given to a borrower from a lender. Usually a contract or note of promissory is exchanged between the two parties, in which both parties agree to the line of credit amount, as well as the annual interest due to the lender at the end of the term.
The Hazards Of Your First Credit Card
You probably don't need me to tell you credit cards are easy to get a hold of; at least, that is so in the US and UK. How many weeks pass without a glossy brochure promoting a credit card popping through your letter box? And that's just your mail; the tv advertising budgets for credit card promotion are enormous, with some famous faces often adorning your screen, smiling beautifully as they tempt you.
Choosing The Best Credit Card To Apply For
Always shop around to get the best deal when choosing which credit card to apply for. If you don't do your due diligence you could end up with a card that has too high of an interest rate, that has an unnecessarily high annual membership fee, etc.
The Credit Card Surprise That You Need to Look Out For
Companies that issue credit cards want to make a profit. No one disagrees with that.
5 Ways To Prevent Credit Card Late Fees
Paying a credit card late fee is the same as throwing your money away. Late credit card payments can also hurt your credit score.
Credit Card Security Advice
Which of the following is the biggest threat to your credit card security?a) Shopping online with a credit card b) Shopping in a real store with your credit card c) Ordering something over the phone with your credit cardThe answer may surprise you. It's b - shopping in a real store with a credit card.
Credit Cards For People With Bad Credit Scores
Sometimes life lands you in a situation that causes your credit to suffer. A job loss or illness can send your credit rating south leaving you with nothing to do about it.
What is Credit Repair and How Can It Help You?
There are millions of consumer credit reports on file from mainly three major reporting bureaus which include Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax. These credit gathering agencies store huge amounts of data about every person that takes out a loan, credit card, or any other line of credit.
A Debt Mentality
While working through my own debt situation, and helping others resolve their life issues regarding debt and credit, it never ceases to amaze me how similar the life stories are and how profound is the effect of debt on the way a person thinks about life, irregardless of how much money they have or don't have.I remember being in junior high school hearing my father say something to the effect of "you only have as much money as you have credit.
4 Steps to Creating Good Credit
As a consumer you've learned the importance of establishing a good credit rating with your lenders. Whether you are shopping for a new home or auto, or searching for the best deals on insurance, your credit worthiness will be judged by your credit rating or credit score.
Which Citi Mastercard Is Right For You?
You've decided to apply for a Citi MasterCard, but with so many different cards to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? Here is a brief guide to the different types of MasterCard available from Citibank.A great MasterCard program is the Citi Platinum Select Card.
Credit Cards: Pros and Cons
Sure, there are a lot of problems with credit cards, but there are a lot of good things attached to them as well. For instance, if you have a small business, fleet credit cards can keep your books in order when you issue them to drivers of company vehicles for gas and automobile repairs.
How to Evaluate and Raise Your Credit Score
Why do some people get offers for pre-approved credit cards and others don't? What do car dealers know about your financial health that you don't know? The answer is your credit score.Your credit score is a number generated by a mathematical formula to estimate how likely you are to pay your bills.
Read and Understand Your Credit Card Statement
Have you ever looked at your credit card statement and ended up just scratching your head in frustration? Well join the club! But don't take any comfort in the fact that you have plenty of company, because lack of knowledge can cost you?.right on your credit report, and once there can stay with you a while.
Minimum Credit Card Payments to Rise
For years, major credit card companies have allowed cardholders to make minimum payments of 2% of the outstanding balances on their credit cards. Having customers pay the minimum doesn't reduce the balance by very much, but when the 18-30% interest rates that many credit cards charge is applied, the result is a profitable ones for the banks that issue credit cards.
Useful Tips on Borrowing Money
Here are some useful tips on borrowing money. Borrowing money is one of the most common sources of funding for a small business, but obtaining a loan isn't always easy.
How To Choose A Credit Card
Your credit score may just be a little number, but it packs a big punch. A poor credit score can keep you from getting a mortgage or a car loan.
Credit Score - Reporting Your Financial Health
Credit score is one of the most basic, determining factor while loan borrowing. Credit score is the criterion for the creditor to ascertain whether to give you credit or not.
Getting Married? What Are The Finance and Credit Implications?
There is a big difference between looking after your own finances while living alone, or with parents, and living with a partner. The transition can be very difficult, especially if both partners are strongly independent, or one partner is financially weak and the other strong.
Choosing the Right Credit Counseling Agency for You - Some Tips Part 2
Credit counseling companies come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you are looking at working with a local credit counseling organization or a national credit counseling organization there are some very important factors to calculate before choosing the right credit counseling option for you.