Ah, credit cards…like a magical piece of plastic that gives you license to take things home from the store — you'll worry about paying for them later, right?!
Sorry to wake you from your dreaming, sweetheart, but not only should you pay for those items sooner rather than later, you may be paying a premium for the privilege of using that little piece of plastic heaven. To add to your spending confusion, there are just so many choices these days.
Yes, modern credit cards come in a huge range of styles and flavours. Some have annual fees; others don't. Interest rates range from five percent…to 25 per cent (uh oh). There are insurance features to choose from, cash-back options and myriad reward programs. Oh yeah, and like your iPad Smart Cover, they come in yummy colours like gold, platinum and breast cancer pink.
So what's a smart credit cardista to do? Start by asking yourself these questions.
1. Are you a shopaholic? For most people, the purpose of the credit card (as our Italian nonna would say) is to make-a the shopping. If you tend to spend a lot on your card every month, you might as well get a little something-something for every purchase you make, whether it's airline miles, warranty protection or other benefits.
Choose your plastic! Get a custom-fit credit card
