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How to Deal with Your First Credit Card

Your first credit card can be an exhilarating experience. The most important thing to remember about having this luxury is that you need to be responsible with the card. The last thing you want to do is begin digging yourself into a hole that you cannot get out of easily. Depending upon certain qualifications, you may be eligible for some cards that have great benefits. You need to make certain that you choose a card that has the perks that you want, or you will not reap the benefits as fully as you may like.

Low Interest Rates

One of the best benefits that you can get with a credit card is a low interest rate. You need to be sure that you get the lowest possible rate that you can. In the event you have an emergency situation and you need to spend more than you want to, a low rate will not negatively affect your lifestyle as much as a higher interest card. Be aware that some cards come with short-term interest rates that are very low, but you want to find a card that will keep the rates low for a long time.

Identity Theft Protection

Identity theft can be a horrific event for anyone to go through. The fact of the matter is that this type of thievery occurs on a daily basis. Some credit cards do not offer any type of identity theft protection, so you will want to make sure that your first credit card has this feature available. Identity thieves prey on consumers no matter where or how they use the credit card. It is in your best interest to be positive that you are protected from this senseless act of stealing.

Points and Cash Back Cards

Many credit cards offer cash back to the user if a certain amount of money is spent with the card. The only catch is that you need to pay off your card in full to really earn the money. The cash back opportunities usually come in a certain percentage of the money you spent. Many cards offer higher cash back rewards if the card is used at certain places. Other cards offer points as an incentive. These points can be accumulated to earn a variety of different things.

The bigger companies have a full selection of merchandise that you can get with your points. If you love to travel, you may want to look into getting a card that will give you flight miles. No matter what you are like to do, there is probably a credit card that will help you to get some things you love just for using the card.

The decision is yours when choosing a credit card. If you are looking to get rewarded for all of your everyday purchases, you need to find the card that will benefit you in the ways that you want. You need to be savvy about the choices that you make, and your key factor in choosing your first credit card should be the low interest rate. That is the best benefit that any credit card company can truly offer. The other perks of the card are also great to have, so when you get your first credit card, consider all of your options and make the most of the situation.

Author Bio

This article was composed by Sandy Whitefield, a freelance writer based in Albany, NY. Among other things, Sandy is interested in finance, taxation, economics, credit cards, credit ratings, accounting and business. Those curious about the finance field should consider viewing the finance jobs with moneyjobs.com.