Manage Your Credit Cards Better

U.S. consumers are once again increasing their collective credit card debt, which now exceeds $1 trillion. The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act protections, which went into effect in February 2009, require card issuers to disclose rates and other information more clearly. This should make it easier for consumers to monitor what they owe. But, regulations can't prevent people from making poor debt management habits.

Here's some advice for controlling credit card use:

•         Actively manage your account. Open and examine your credit card statements promptly. Look for unauthorized use, of course, but also look for announcements from the issuer. Under the new rules, you must have 45 days' notice of a change in your card's terms, such as an interest rate increase. If you choose to "opt out" of the change, you no longer will be able to add new charges to your card, and will want time to get a replacement while you pay off the old balance.

•         Keep your credit score healthy. This number between 300 and 850 is a measure of your trustworthiness as a borrower. The higher your score, the easier it is to get a loan and, often, the more favorable the interest rate. The most important ways to maintain and improve your credit score is by paying all your bills on time and not taking on excessive debt.

•         Watch your card balance-to-limit ratio. It's OK to occasionally "max out" your credit card for important purchases, as long as you can pay it off in a few months. But over the long term, try to keep your total credit card debt to a reasonable 10% to 20% of your total credit limit. If the ratio gets much above 20%, and you can handle the payments, ask for a higher limit on your current card or get another one. Don't add new cards too often, though, and don't close several unneeded accounts in a short period—either move can lower your credit score.

•         Understand the overlimit option. The CARD Act allows you to choose what you want your card issuer to do when you try to go over your card's credit limit. If you "opt in," you can go over the limit for a fee. If you "opt out," your attempt to go over the limit will be declined.

If you don't already have an ICCU credit card, now's the time to get one. Contact us today at (989) 773-5927 or submit an online application at https://www.iccuonline.com/loans#CreditCards1