As a credit card holder, you should know how important it is to keep your account current. Credit card companies report to the credit bureau for as much as three times in a month. So if you want to maintain that good credit record, here are some Don’ts.

• DON’T miss a single payment. If you are the forgetful type, establish a reminder system. If you can, then pay full amount of your credit card debt and not just the minimum amount due.
• DON’T max your credit card. Using at least 30% of your credit limit will certainly earn you a nice credit score. Imposing a limit to your usage will benefit you in the long term.
• DON’T keep your credit card unused. Make small transactions once in a while to show activity. It does not actually look good if your account is stagnant. Remember moderation is the key.
• DON’T apply for too many credit cards. If you have one or two, then that should be enough. It will be easier for you to manage, track and use.
• DON’T apply for a regular credit card if you are not ready. There are secured credit cards and debit cards that can offer you the same benefits of regular credit cards with less risks.

Knowing how to manage your credit cards may be the most important step towards building that ideal credit record. True, it may take a while but it is guaranteed to get you there.

After Bankruptcy Credit Cards

Owning a credit card is easy and using it is so convenient too. But having a bad credit really sucks. Here are some tips to keep your card in good standing:

1. Don’t apply for too many credit cards. Now, this is obvious. Though having an extra card may come in handy, not having one will give you less worries of having to pay something come pay day.

2. Don’t apply for a supplementary card. Though you can control yourself from spending, your supplementary may not be so responsible.

3. Buy only things that are necessary. A common misconception about credit card is that most people think that when they have one, they can buy anything. And so, they tend to buy anything they want even it isn’t necessary. Buy only the things you need and not what you want.

4. Secure your card. If you shop online, make sure that you only use your card on secure shopping websites. Always check that the website you are submitting your card details to, have a “https” in its URL. Having an account on a payment processor such as PayPal makes your card more secure and reduces the need to enter your card details every time you shop online.

5. Avoid due dates. Make sure to pay your credit card bills on or before the due date to avoid being charged for late payment and interest rates.

6. Get lower. If you can’t pay your credit card bill in full, request for a lower interest rate. Competitions among banks are high and chances are, your bank might give you a lower interest rate just to keep your account in them.

Keeping yourself from bad credit not only keeps you from a lot of phone calls from your bank but also gives you peace of mind.