I've been receiving a few questions about the way I use my credit card. Honestly, I've been pounding with this same question including from my family members since a few years ago. It seemed like most of them could not process that I could be perfectly fine using a credit card, especially my parents for they are afraid that I'll get into a debt spiral. So, here are a few pointers that I've been practicing ever since I had my credit card 7 years ago.
1. Expenses < Income
This is a cardinal rule that you need to ingrain in every cell of your body. Do not spend more than you could afford. If you can't abide by this one rule, please say goodbye to your credit card. For me, alhamdulillah, my expenses are usually lower than my income, though I did live with a negative balance for a few months T^T
2. Know your credit card spending limit
Aside from knowing the first point, you have to know your credit card spending limit. I'm not talking about the ones decided by the bank but your own spending limit. I believe everyone should have a ballpark figure for their credit card spending limit. For me, CAD 800 is my sweet spot because that's the average of my credit card spending.
3. Always pay the full amount
Always, always, always pay the full amount whenever you use your credit card. Don't pay the minimum amount only for that is going to be your doom as the interest will be accumulated.
Actually, I used to treat my credit card like a debit card. I used to pay the amount that I used right away. For instance, if I used my credit card for my groceries in the evening, I paid the amount that I used on the same night. I don't do this anymore because my banking transactions are limited to 12 transactions only per month and I usually use my credit card more than 12 times a month.
4. Make full use of the interest-free period
I'm not sure how other credit cards work, but mine offers 21 21-day interest-free period. I surely am making full use of it. As I mentioned previously, I used to pay whatever amount that I owed straight away. However, I stopped doing this due to a limited number of transactions. Instead, I make sure to pay for everything within 21 days. To be exact, I make sure to pay for everything on the 14th day, maximum.
As you can see, I don't do anything special. I just use it and make sure that I pay for it. That's all.
10 Comments
kita pun sama. guna credit card tp make sure bayar full balik ikut statement date
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the best way to use a credit card ^^
DeleteIt's actually a good thing that you could manage your credit card sufficiently... It's too bad that lots of people can't actually cope with it but spending like a boss..
ReplyDeleteAlhamdulillah for I have a quite self-control. Haha. Otherwise, I can be one of those people. I mean, I totally get the temptation of using credit card above your means. I was tempted few times as well. Had to remind myself that I'm actually poor and I'm not in position to max out my credit card limit.
Deletekalau hati x kuat jgn laa pakai kad kredit... nmpk syok tapiii.... fhm2 je laa kan....
ReplyDeleteBetul tu. Memang syok sebab macam boleh belanja lebih dari apa yang kita mampu. Hati kena kuat kalau tak terjebaklah dengan hutang.
Deletefirst thing first, iman kene kuat nak guna credit card. hehe if u cannot disciplined urself, better jgn guna CC. nowadays debit pun dah banyak functions but yes off course cc lagi ada wide advantages la. but good for you Farah, boleh control. then no need to worry =)
ReplyDeleteBetul, iman memang kena kuat. Kalau tak, memang tak dan lah nak pakai credit card. Saya kadang tergelincir juga. Tap, tap, swipe, swipe, tiba-tiba bila balik rumah check the usage, ambil kau, CAD 500 terbang T^T
Deletesampai skrg tak ada credit card.. lebih suka pakai cash xnk tambah hutang2 yg ada 😂😂
ReplyDeleteIt's okay kalau takde credit card. For me, I prefer credit card sebab malas nak handle cash and it's way more convenient lagi-lagi bab beli flight ticket ni. Hahaha. Tapi, selalu sebelum guna, saya check dulu ada duit tak dalam bank account saya. Kalau saya takde duit, saya tak guna pun credit card saya.
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