When choosing a
credit card,
ask yourself if you
plan to
pay the
balance in
full each
month. Many people don't pay their
bill each month -- they always carry a balance and pay
interest on it. Yet many of these same people
sign up for a card because it has no
annual fee, without considering the benefits of a card with a lower
interest rate or a more generous
grace period (before interest begins accumulating). In the long run, a card that doesn't
charge an
annual fee could end up
costing you far more in interest than a card that charges an annual fee.
In general, if you expect to pay your balance in full most months, look for a card with a full grace period and no annual fee. However, if you plan on carrying a balance, then a card with an annual fee and
low APR (
Annual Percentage Rate) may be a better
choice.