Got plastic? Use wisely
June 25, 2004 | 12:00am
What is the most powerful plastic that one can ever have? A credit card, of course. For one, it allows you to shop without having to bulk up your wallet with cash. It can also be a lifesaver, allowing you to pay large fees for unexpected situations such as medical emergencies. On the lighter side, it lets you splurge a little on one of those zero percent interest offers that come up every now and then. Indeed, having a credit card makes one feel a bit more secure knowing that a purchase can be settled with a single swipe. Having a credit card is having power. But, just like anything powerful, it can be used for both the good and bad.
Having a credit card in one’s hands can pose a dilemma. As you begin to realize how much your spending power has increased. There’s no need to wait for pay day to get that pair of shoes from your favorite store the other day. Nor is there a need to put off buying that cute outfit in the entrance of the shop you just walked by. But, if you just keep swiping your little plastic card before you know it, you’ve gone on a major spending spree. When your bills finally arrive at your doorstep (and they will), you get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as you realize you have acquired a huge debt. Now, you start to wonder if you can really pay all those bills.
Bluntly put, not everyone knows how to use a credit card properly. Some people, young or old, get overwhelmed when they use a credit card. True, your credit limit allows you to spend, but it doesn’t mean you should max it out. Credit and credit card education are, undoubtedly, needed in our world today. Thankfully, there’s someone who cares enough to provide just that, Citibank.
As Nina Aguas, Citibank country business manager for Global Consumer Banking, says, their job doesn’t stop at making credit cards available to Filipinos. Rather, that is just the beginning. They also know that they have the responsibility of teaching their consumers about using their cards wisely. Hence, they developed the Use Credit Wisely website.
Formally launched last June 16, Citibank aims to assist all its consumers in making the wisest use of their credit cards. Help is simply a click away. Indeed, no one has an excuse to be credit card-ignorant any longer. All you need to do is log on to www.citibank.com.ph, click the Use Credit Wisely sign and voila, you’ve got everything there is to know about credit cards from A to Z.
The Use Credit Wisely main page is carefully organized into four main headings. In addition, these four headings also represent the most critical things to remember in order to live a credit-friendly life. First, you have to know the rules. Here, you can find an extensive discussion on credit including the types of credit and how to maintain a good credit. Below the discussion on credit, is another extensive discussion about credit cards, which include lengthy explanations about credit limits, fees and payments, cash advances and much more.
After knowing the rules, it is time to learn to spend responsibly. First is gaining financial control. This part discusses budgeting, spending within one’s means and even handling a debt larger than you can pay. The second is coping with tough times. Under this subheading is a discussion with regard to situations such as losing a loved one, becoming disabled, getting a legal separation. This part also provides some very useful money-saving tips.
Okay, so you know the rules and have become quite knowledgeable on responsible spending. Now, it’s time to learn how to be protected. As you may know, credit card-related crimes have become quite rampant nowadays. Thus, it is very critical that one knows how to keep your spending power access to yourself and never within anyone else’s reach. This part of the website will let you do just that.
Now, you’ve read all the articles under each heading. You still need to know more on credit. This fourth heading provides a glossary of all the terms in the credit card lingo. Not only that, there’s also an extensive article especially written for first-time credit card users.
Indeed, Citibank’s Use Credit Wisely site is very helpful for those who already have a credit card and those who are yet to get one. It gives one a good idea on the responsibility that comes with owning a credit card. Hopefully, there won’t be anymore mind-boggling bills to greet you at your doorstep from now on.
E-mail me at ice_wave_42@yahoo.com.
Having a credit card in one’s hands can pose a dilemma. As you begin to realize how much your spending power has increased. There’s no need to wait for pay day to get that pair of shoes from your favorite store the other day. Nor is there a need to put off buying that cute outfit in the entrance of the shop you just walked by. But, if you just keep swiping your little plastic card before you know it, you’ve gone on a major spending spree. When your bills finally arrive at your doorstep (and they will), you get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as you realize you have acquired a huge debt. Now, you start to wonder if you can really pay all those bills.
Bluntly put, not everyone knows how to use a credit card properly. Some people, young or old, get overwhelmed when they use a credit card. True, your credit limit allows you to spend, but it doesn’t mean you should max it out. Credit and credit card education are, undoubtedly, needed in our world today. Thankfully, there’s someone who cares enough to provide just that, Citibank.
As Nina Aguas, Citibank country business manager for Global Consumer Banking, says, their job doesn’t stop at making credit cards available to Filipinos. Rather, that is just the beginning. They also know that they have the responsibility of teaching their consumers about using their cards wisely. Hence, they developed the Use Credit Wisely website.
Formally launched last June 16, Citibank aims to assist all its consumers in making the wisest use of their credit cards. Help is simply a click away. Indeed, no one has an excuse to be credit card-ignorant any longer. All you need to do is log on to www.citibank.com.ph, click the Use Credit Wisely sign and voila, you’ve got everything there is to know about credit cards from A to Z.
The Use Credit Wisely main page is carefully organized into four main headings. In addition, these four headings also represent the most critical things to remember in order to live a credit-friendly life. First, you have to know the rules. Here, you can find an extensive discussion on credit including the types of credit and how to maintain a good credit. Below the discussion on credit, is another extensive discussion about credit cards, which include lengthy explanations about credit limits, fees and payments, cash advances and much more.
After knowing the rules, it is time to learn to spend responsibly. First is gaining financial control. This part discusses budgeting, spending within one’s means and even handling a debt larger than you can pay. The second is coping with tough times. Under this subheading is a discussion with regard to situations such as losing a loved one, becoming disabled, getting a legal separation. This part also provides some very useful money-saving tips.
Okay, so you know the rules and have become quite knowledgeable on responsible spending. Now, it’s time to learn how to be protected. As you may know, credit card-related crimes have become quite rampant nowadays. Thus, it is very critical that one knows how to keep your spending power access to yourself and never within anyone else’s reach. This part of the website will let you do just that.
Now, you’ve read all the articles under each heading. You still need to know more on credit. This fourth heading provides a glossary of all the terms in the credit card lingo. Not only that, there’s also an extensive article especially written for first-time credit card users.
Indeed, Citibank’s Use Credit Wisely site is very helpful for those who already have a credit card and those who are yet to get one. It gives one a good idea on the responsibility that comes with owning a credit card. Hopefully, there won’t be anymore mind-boggling bills to greet you at your doorstep from now on.
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