Did you know that around 70% of all holiday shoppers use their credit card for gift purchases? In fact, credit cards and debit cards are among the most used payment methods for seasonal buys. Using credit cards for your holiday expenses is a great option if you spend smartly and set boundaries on spending.
Here are some tips for Holiday Do’s and Don’ts from your friends at Members Plus to help you spend smarter this season and even make your credit cards work for you!
The Do’s of Holiday Credit Card Spending
Do Set a Holiday Budget
It’s easy to go overboard when shopping for friends and family during the holidays. That’s why it’s important to set a realistic spending limit for those on your list. A smart way to stay within budget with your holiday gift-giving is to track your spending. This lets you know exactly what you purchased, so overspending won’t wreak havoc on your finances in the new year!
Do Use Credit Responsibly
Holiday shopping with credit cards is a great option if you use credit responsibly. Be careful to only charge what you can reasonably repay. Remember that the more you spend, the more your monthly payment will increase on your credit card, and you want to be sure the new payment is within your budget to pay. Setting up spending alerts to monitor purchases is a smart money move and can help keep you on track.
Do Take Advantage of Credit Card Rewards
Smart holiday shoppers can even reap rewards from using credit cards for holiday gift-giving. Choosing credit cards like the MPCU’s Rewards Credit Card can actually add value to planned holiday spending with a variety of benefits, including chances to earn bonus points for every dollar spent on net retail purchases.
Protect Yourself from Holiday Fraud
Holiday fraud is no joke and can ruin the festive fun quickly! Be sure to stay on alert and be diligent about shopping safely. Always protect your credit card information by only shopping on trusted sites, monitoring your accounts for valid purchases and amounts, and being aware of the latest online scams.
Do Make Payments on Time
Once the season has passed and the gifts have all been given, it’s time to pay down the holiday balances. Staying on budget during the holidays means that you can afford to pay the credit card bills that are now due. Making on-time payments and having a dedicated plan for paying down holiday debt is the key to financial success.
The Don’ts of Holiday Credit Card Spending
Don’t Let Holiday Spending Get Out of Control
The key to keeping holiday spending in control is to make a list (and check it twice)…and create a budget (and stick to it!) Don’t give in to impulse purchases or emotional spending that can wreck your holiday budget. Stay focused and check things off your list to avoid the temptation of maxing out your credit card.
Don’t Ignore the Cost of Carrying a Balance
Responsible use of credit cards means you understand how interest works and how it can increase the true cost of holiday purchases over time. A gift purchase of $25 can easily turn into $50 or more over time when you add monthly interest charges. The key to effectively managing credit cards is to pay off the balance each month, or as quickly as you can, to avoid interest charges.
Don’t Max Out Your Credit Cards
Maxing out your credit cards is never a good idea! Not only can using too much available credit make repayment harder, but it can even potentially affect your credit score. Credit bureaus look at the situation as being negative and therefore, carrying large balances on credit cards can weaken your rating.
Don’t Lose Track of Multiple Purchases
It’s hard to juggle everything for the holidays, so keeping on top of holiday spending on credit cards is crucial. Regularly review credit card transactions and keep a running total of holiday purchases to avoid losing track of everything you’ve spent.
Make Credit Cards Work for Your Holiday Budget
Remember to make your credit cards work for you this holiday season! Spend wisely and choose reward credit cards! Combine that with a post-holiday payoff plan for success!
Choose the Right Credit Card for Your Needs
MPCU’s Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for earning rewards on holiday purchases that you were going to make anyway! The MPCU Credit Card is also a great option for members looking for a more affordable way to manage holiday purchases with lower rates for big savings.
Have a Post-Holiday Payoff Plan
Don’t let holiday purchases turn into lingering debt in the new year. Instead, plan ahead and create a realistic repayment plan that you can afford to stick to!
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