Getting a card online is one of the easiest things you can do. You can be on your way to getting a credit card with just a few clicks. But slow down, please! Before you get too excited, ask yourself if you're sure you can get one.
The most important general requirements of most credit card companies are: 1) that you are at least 18 years old, 2) that you make more than $12,000 a year, 3) that you have a regular source of income, and 4) that your credit score is good.
But if you want to save hundreds of dollars in the future, you may want to try some of the things below:
Search
Just like when you go shopping, we look around first to see if there are other options that are cheaper or better than the one we have in mind. There are a lot of sites on the internet that can help and show you the different kinds of credit cards we have.
Use a good search engine if you can. It will probably give you a lot of search results, so think carefully about which sites you want to visit. From there, find out about more than one kind of credit card.
Compare
It may seem like a tough choice when there are good cards that meet your needs. But don't have a bias. Compare other types of credit cards, not just the ones you're interested in (you never know you just might get a lot of benefits and savings from the one you were putting aside). Remember to compare the interest rates, because this is why so many Americans are in so much debt. Try to get a credit card with a low rate of interest. Use cards that don't charge an annual fee to your advantage.
After you've compared everything, narrow it down to two or three options and compare them. Once you've picked the card you think is the best, you're done. You can now fill out an application.
A word of caution, though: hackers and identity thieves have become very common on the internet, so be careful about where you put your personal information. Make sure that the company name is the same as the URL.
Once you're sure the site is real, be sure to fill out all of the necessary information and make sure you don't owe any money to any other company (this includes all your utilities, personal loans, mortgage, etc.). If you don't owe money to other companies, it will be even easier for you to get that credit card.
Once you get your card, always be smart about how you use it. Credit cards can make us think we can buy a lot of things, since we can buy them and then have trouble paying for them when the bill comes. Especially if you are on a tight budget, think twice before you swipe that card. If you don't pay on time, you get into debt and have to spend more money in the long run.
You now have money to spend, so spend it wisely. Use it to your advantage not your disadvantage. Apply now online and take that power!
