Filipinos are now more prosperous and eager to spend than ever; they also hunger for financial literacy tips. For their part, Philippine credit card providers have shown themselves ready to address this need. Indeed, credit cards now offer more perks and features than ever before, with offers appealing to long-time plastic users and first-timers alike.
If you’re new to cards, there’s never been a better time to apply. The search term “first-time credit card application philippines” has become more and more popular for Filipinos thanks to massive interest in the cards being offered to new users. A lot of newer cards are also designed to help Filipinos get more out of their increasing incomes and they can be especially powerful when used wisely.
However, the financial skills needed to manage credit cards safely take time to develop. Without the right guidance, the path to stability can be especially daunting. Follow these tailored financial literacy tips to maximize your card’s benefits and transform it into a legitimate wealth-building tool:
1. Take All the Time You Need to Pick The Right Card
Qualifying for a credit card has never been simpler. Still, just because you qualify for a specific card, it doesn’t mean that it will work for you. Before you commit to a credit card, familiarize yourself with its terms, paying especially close attention to the annual fees, interest rates, and other conditions that could potentially cost you money. On many cards, the collective fees easily outweigh any rewards or cashback so you’ll want to be thorough before you take on the responsibilities of your first card.
2. Aim to Pay Your Balance in Full
With your first card, it’s good practice to only use it for purchases that you can comfortably pay off with the cash in your bank account. While it is possible to use your card to stretch your spending power, doing this frequently early in your credit card journey can negatively affect your credit utilization ratio. This can result in a debt spiral or lead to bad spending habits. If paying off the full amount before the grace period ends is out of the question, mitigate your interest accumulation by paying more than the minimum.
3. Leverage Your Card for Rewards and Cashback
A lot of the credit cards aimed at first-time cardholders advertise rewards and cashback, promising a smarter way to spend. However, cards only live up to those promises if they align with your spending habits. This is because rewards-based credit cards only provide points and cashback for a limited range of purchases. Some cards like Maya’s Landers Cashback Everywhere credit card do offer rewards on a much wider range of categories, but still exempt some areas like telco payments or gambling. Again, you’ll want to read the fine print so that you’re able to strategize your spending and earn more benefits through your card.
4. Set a Strict Monthly Spending Limit
It’s never a good practice to spend cash that you don’t have. As mentioned, it’s best to avoid purchases that cost more than the contents of your bank account. When you’re starting, you’ll want to set a personal spending cap so that your newfound spending power does not put you in debt. Use your card provider’s mobile app—such as Maya’s own app—to closely monitor your expenses so that you always stay within your budget.
5. Avoid Cash Advances
While convenient, cash advances are much more expensive than regular credit card debt. The high fees and the immediate application of interest often come as a massive shock, even to those who have been using credit cards for some time.
To be clear, cash advances can come in handy in emergencies. Still, you’ll want to explore alternatives like emergency savings or other short-term solutions before you try cash advances. If you need to take out a cash advance, be sure to pay it off as quickly as possible.
6. Use Your First Credit Card to Build a Positive Credit History
Outside of the rewards and cashback, your first credit card is also invaluable in building a good credit score. Consistently paying your bills on time tags you as a reliable borrower, raising your credit score and making you eligible for much better financial products in the future. For this reason, you’ll want to prioritize small, manageable expenses for your first card. This ensures that, as your income continues to increase, your financial reputation improves with it.
7. Protect Your Card from Fraud
Modern credit cards are more secure than they’ve ever been. However, the inexperience of first-time cardholders can make them vulnerable to fraud, regardless of the technologies used. Remain vigilant and follow these card protection tips:
- Avoid giving your credit card to cashiers or service people to facilitate in-person purchases. If you must do so, make sure your card never leaves your sight.
- Avoid making payments on suspicious websites, particularly those without “https” in the address.
- Go through your monthly statements carefully to make sure that there aren’t any unauthorized purchases being made with your card. Call your provider right away if there’s a purchase that you don’t recognize.
- Your card provider will give you advice on how to use your card safely, so be sure to check out their resources.
Choose Your First Credit Card Wisely
Your first credit card can have a serious influence on your future financial habits, so it’s important to remember these financial literacy tips. If you choose the wrong card or neglect to handle a good card properly, the benefits will become moot and you may even fall into a debt trap.
Fortunately, enjoying the expanded financial possibilities offered by credit cards is simple enough. When shortlisting your potential cards, pick the ones that best suit your current, rather than intended lifestyle. From that selection, read the fine print and contextualize the fees and tradeoffs in relation to your current income and expenses. You should be left with a useful credit card that effortlessly builds your credit score and maximizes your savings.
Photo Credit: stock photo