通常, 信用卡余额有季节性规律, increasing significantly in the fourth quarter and coinciding with holiday shopping. This year is no exception; unfortunately, it coincides with higher credit card interest rates. With more people than ever depending on credit cards to cover basic expenses due to inflation, 这可能导致不断增加的债务负担. 事实上, credit card balances are approaching pre-pandemic levels, increasing by $38 billion (a 15 percent increase year-over-year) since the second quarter – the largest increase in more than 20 years (Federal Reserve Bank of New York).
Whether you are diligent about paying your credit card in full every month or are still paying down debt from a previous spending spree, these five tips will help you avoid overspending and keep credit card spending on track.
1. 检查你的信用卡余额
Before you head to your preferred shopping venue, check your credit card balances. There’s nothing like seeing a large debt – or several – to make you think twice about spending. 把它写下来会产生更大的影响.
2. 控制开支
One of the most effective ways of controlling spending is to establish a budget and stick to it – before you head to the store or shop online. 假日购物者, setting an overall budget and then researching and compiling a list of items for each person you give a gift to goes a long way toward curbing impulse spending. 另外, families and friends can agree to set a maximum amount to spend, 比如每人25美元或50美元, decide to do a gift exchange or even give family gifts that benefit all members of the household.
3. 还清高息卡
With the average interest rate hovering around 19 percent, 根据Bankrate, 如果你有多张信用卡的余额, try to pay off any high-interest credit cards before you spend any more. If you are planning a last-minute holiday shopping spree this year and still have considerable debt on your credit cards, you should avoid opening new store credit cards (average annual percentage rates are now close to 26 percent) and using “buy now, “以后付款”融资. While these types of credit may seem tempting, you will still be incurring more debt.
4. Pay With Cash or Use a Debit/Credit Card Tied to Your Bank Account
Shoppers tend to spend more when using credit cards than they do when using cash because of the “out of sight, “精神错乱”的心态. If you are not comfortable carrying large amounts of cash, one alternative is to use a debit/credit card tied to your bank account. 当使用这种“信用卡”时,” you need to have the money in your account to cover your purchases as it is not a revolving credit account. If your finances are tight and you are trying to save money, it’s best to use cash for your purchases – even if it means making several trips over a few weeks. 它也更容易跟踪你的支出, and you might save a few bucks if the store charges a service fee to its customers for card purchases.
5. 寻求帮助管理你的债务
Getting out of debt is a challenge that most people face – often multiple times – during their lifetime, and knowing how to manage debt and negotiate with creditors is a valuable skill that CPAs or other tax professionals can help you with. If you need help, reach out to a financial advisor.
