August 2009

Monthly Archive

Unsecured Credit Cards

Ryan 11 Aug 2009 | : credit cards

You may be wondering “what’s an unsecured credit card?”  It is very possible that you have several unsecured credit cards in your wallet right now.  What makes this card unsecured is the fact that the user does not have to put up a security deposit backing the creditor for use of the credit card.  Essentially every time you use an unsecured credit card you are signing a contract indicating that you will repay the funds that you use during a purchase.

Vice versa, a secured credit card is a card in which the user deposits funds to secure the use of credit.  Typically secured credit cards are used in a situation in which a person has poor credit or little credit history.  A secured credit card holds very little risk for the creditor because funds used are in a secure account.

How to get an unsecured credit card?

To obtain an unsecured credit card you may call or visit the website of a major credit card holder and complete their application process.  When you apply the credit card company will check your credit and lending history to determine how much to lend you and what interest rate you will be charge.  If you have a high credit score you will get a higher credit limit and a lower interest rate.  If you have a low credit score, you will most likely have a very low credit limit and a large interest rate.

How to manage credit card payments?

With unsecured credit cards the user is liable for purchases made using the credit card.  A monthly statement will be issued identifying the total balance and a minimum amount owed to the creditor.   The user is required to pay a pre-determined minimum payment or the full balance of the credit card.  If the full balance is not paid, then an interest rate will be applied to the remaining balance.

Risks associated with unsecured credit cards.

The major risk associated with using an unsecured credit card is the fact that a person can spend more money than they have.  Also if the user does not pay off the full balance on a credit card each month, then interests accrues on a daily basis.  Many people get into trouble when they spend more than they make, can’t repay the balance, and have interest building on unpaid credit card balances.  This creates consumer debt that’s hard to eliminate.  This is why several debt solution businesses have risen around the credit card industry.

Unsecured credit cards, if used wisely can be a very useful tool.  These credit cards can be used to start new businesses, help pay for educational expenses, used for health care costs, or any situation that may arise unexpectedly.