How is the year going to treat you financially in 2006? We all use credit cards to help day to day expenses so here is a guide to getting the most out of your card this year.

* Don't apply for a credit card if you don't need one. Don't be encouraged into applying for a credit card just because it has a good interest rate and you think you can buy things and pay later. Only apply if you need to manage your finances properly. * Take advantage of the 0% deals that are on offer. There is no need to pay interest nowadays as most credit card companies offer these types of deals for at least 6 months. If used wisely you can save a fortune in interest charges. With some credit card suppliers offering up to 9 months interest free you will be able to transfer balances and not have to pay any interest for close on a year. * Check the fine print as most people don't realise that there are hidden charges when taking up the deal. Some Credit Card companies will charge a fee for the privilege. They can charge a % or a capped amount for admin charges. This amounts to a tidy some when you consider the millions that will take up these offers. * Consider life of balance transfer deals. If you don't want to continually chase the best 0% deal when yours comes to the end, then why not opt for a credit card that will offer a low balance rate until it is paid off. This can be as low as 4%. American Express' Platinum card currently offers the lowest life of balance transfer card at 4.9%. Sainsbury also currently offer 5.9% on the life of balances transferred during the first six months of ownership, and don't charge a fee. * Credit Card Insurance. Don't bother! This has to be a biggest scam out there. What you get doesn't warrant the extra amount you have to pay every month. The rules to claim if you do need to are so strict that the chances of you getting paid out are very low. If you are told this is a requirement then know that they are forcing you as this is not. * Credit Card cheques should be discarded the minute you get them in the post. They are dangerous and will cost you more in the long run. This is really cash in advance on your credit card and comes with a very high rate of interest that will kick in the minute you use one the of the cheques.

About the author:

Grant Marwick is a freelance writer and owner of http://www.only-credit- cards.co.uk where you will find advice and more articles on Low interest and 0% Credit CardsNone