Credit cards have the potential to be useful tools, or dangerous enemies. The best way to understand the right ways to utilize credit cards, is to amass a substantial body of knowledge about them. Use the advice in this piece liberally, and you have the ability to take control of your own financial future.

Know how closing a credit card will affect you before you do it. There are times when closing out cards can lead to bad marks on your credit report and that is something you would like to avoid. Also, keep open all the accounts that make up most of your history.

Don't fall for the introductory rates on credit cards when opening a new one. Be sure to ask the creditor what the rate will go up to after, the introductory rate expires. Sometimes, the APR can go up to 20-30% on some cards, an interest rate you definitely don't want to be paying once your introductory rate goes away.

Keep a record of your credit card purchases to avoid creating more debt than you can pay for. It is simple to lose track of spending unless you are keeping a ledger.

Do not accept the first credit card offer that you receive, regardless of how good it sounds. While you may be tempted to jump on an offer, you do not esta want to take any chances that you will end up signing up for a card and then, seeing a better deal shortly after from another company.

Never give out your credit card number to anyone, unless you are the person that has initiated the transaction. If someone calls you on the phone asking for your card number in order to pay for anything, you should ask them to give you a way to contact them, so that you can arrange the payment at a better time.

Sign each credit card as soon as you receive it, as most people don't do this, which makes stolen cards very easy to use. Lots of venders will require a signature verification when purchasing from them.

It is good credit card practice to pay your full balance at the end of each month. This will force you to charge only what you can afford, and reduces the amount of interest you carry from month to month which can add up to some major savings down the line.

It is best to stay away from charging holiday gifts and other holiday-related expenditures. If you can't afford it, either save to buy what you want or just buy less-expensive gifts. Your best friends and relatives will understand that you are on a budget. You can always ask ahead of time for a limit on gift amounts or draw names. The bonus is that you won't be spending the next year esta paying for this year's Christmas!

The credit card that you use to make purchases is very important and you should try to use one that has a very small limit. This is good because it will limit the amount of funds that a thief will have access to.

If esta anyone ever asks for credit card numbers by phone, do not give out this information. Scammers often do this. Only provide your number to businesses you trust, along with your card company if you call about your account. Never give your numbers to people who may call you on the phone. It does not matter who they say they are, you don't know that they are being honest.

A good thing to remember is that you should not immediately make a credit card payment after you make a charge. Instead, wait until the card statement comes; then pay off the whole balance. This builds a stronger payment history and has a larger positive impact on your credit score.

If your credit score is not low, try to find a credit card that does not charge many origination fees, especially a costly annual fee. There are plenty of credit cards out there that do not charge an annual fee. Find one that you can get started with, in a credit relationship that you feel comfortable with the fee.

Far too many people have gotten themselves into precarious financial straits, because of credit cards. The best way to avoid falling into this trap, is to have a thorough understanding of the different ways credit cards can be used in a financially responsible way. Put the tips in this article to work, and you can become a truly savvy consumer.