Do you need a Credit Card?

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

Credit cards have exploded in popularity. There are no more credit cards and credit card options available than ever before. There are credit cards available for all kinds of borrowers and they are designed to fit a whole range of circumstances. They have many advantages and there are many good reasons why you will need a credit card, however you should always remember that credit cards will cost you money, and they also carry the risk that they will allow you to overspend, and your finances can get out of hand, so you should really only take out a credit card if you have a genuine need for it.

One of the main reasons for taking out a credit card is for people who travel a lot. If you are frequently going abroad, and wish to have easy access to money, and a method of paying for things at all times, a credit card is a very good option. First of all it is very convenient, as credit cards can be used almost anywhere on the planet. You really shouldn?t have to hard a time getting access to money if you carry one, no matter where you find yourself. You also don?t need to worry about different currencies and always having some available, as the credit card will work no matter what currency you need to carry out the transaction in. Credit cards will charge a fee for these services however. The transaction will be charged using the credit card provider?s rates of exchange, and then, as well as this, most card providers also charge a loading fee for using the card abroad which may be as high as two to three per cent of the transaction.

Another reason credit cards are becoming increasingly popular is for shopping online. Paying for goods bought online is extremely fast and convenient. It is also preferable than giving out sensitive bank details over the Internet. However, there are also risks involved with paying for goods and services online and you should be aware of the dangers of identity theft. This is a growing problem, and while there are measures in place to reduce the risks to you, you may want to consider paying for goods and services online, through an intermediary payment service such as pay pal. Alternatively, if you are sure you are dealing with a reputable and well-known company, and then you can probably give over your details in safety.