By the time the credit crunch hit in 2008, many consumers worldwide were already going on the assumption that all the financial candy they’d been eating the past few years was going to result in several years of biliousness. Ireland was no exception. Thrift quickly became the new standard.

To that end, consumers are paying much more attention to the terms of service of their credit cards, canceling those with the worst terms and transferring balances to cards with lower interest rates or better perks. If you do carry a credit card with a balance, you can probably find a better deal if you do some searching. Here are a few things to look for when looking for better credit card deals in Ireland.

Perhaps the the change that would make the biggest difference would be a lower interest rate overall, not just a low or 0% introductory rate. Unless you plan to pay off your entire balance quickly, low “teaser” rates are likely to rebound back to where your rates were before – or worse.

That said, if you have the means to pay off your credit card balance, you might consider getting a card with a low or 0% teaser rate on balance transfers. The longer that rate holds, the better. It isn’t as easy now to find cards with teaser rates that last for a year, but six months is still fairly easy to find. But if you know you’ll eventually be carrying a balance again, then overall interest rate is the most important characteristic you should look for in a card.

Rebates in the form of gasoline, airline miles or some sort of points reward scheme are quite appealing when money is tight. But again: if you carry a balance, interest rates will undoubtedly dwarf any perks or savings you might receive from a rebate card.

With a new attitude toward thrift, Irish credit card holders are more accepting of the idea that enticing financial offers from credit card companies often come at a very dear price.

Peter Carville is a freelance article writer who writes for Financial Facts about the current financial news and the credit crunch.

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With Britain to be hit by national post strikes later on this week, people are being advised to take steps to avoid being hit late payment charges for credit cards and other financial commitments.

As the Communication Workers’ Union points out that strike action is planned to take place this Thursday and Friday (October 22nd and 23rd), the Payment Council states that those who normally pay bills by cheque should endeavour to find out if they will be fined in the event that such a payment is made late.

Consequently, consumers are advised to investigate other payment options, for example paying by debit or credit card online, over the phone or at a post office or bank branch.

In addition, the council claims that the setting up of a direct debit scheme from a bank account can ensure money will be paid on time and that they will not incur any charges.

“It’s worth taking five minutes to work out what bills, invoices or cheques you might be expecting in the post and to consider whether you want to take any action to make alternative arrangements for any of them,” Paul Smee, chief executive of the Payments Council, states.

Such comments come as figures from the organisation reveal that just over a quarter (28 per cent) of credit card bills are paid via direct debit, with cheques used for 23 per cent of demands for payment.

The study also shows 26 per cent of such bills are paid over the telephone or using an online bank account, with direct debits making up 76 per cent of all personal and household bill payments.

It also indicates that 22 million adults made use of online banking services in 2008 when managing their current account.

Such advice comes as Jane Baker pointed out in a recent lovemoney.com piece that being late with repayments on a 0% balance transfer card can see lenders cancel the 0% deal and charging borrowers a “very costly debt”.

UK Price Comparison website Which4U – http://www.which4u.co.uk compares Credit Cards, Savings Accounts, Fixed Rate Bonds, Bank Accounts, ISAs, Loans, Mortgages, Insurance, TV & Broadband and Gas/Electric bills to find the best UK deals

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Fuel cards can be programmed in such a way that a business can use them to buy one type of fuel or more depending on your needs. Because the fuel cards use Smartchip technology the number of fuelling transactions can be limited. These and other advantages make the fuel card more and more popular for both business and even individual use.

Fuel cards eliminate the need for businesses to carry costly stocks of fuels. Because of its extensive network of outlets, drivers can fill up around the country at a time and a place that best suits the individual. Businesses also benefit by paying a uniform price for fuel at each and every authorised filling station around the country. Discount of between three and four pence per litre on pump prices is also another benefit. The logging and tracking data that is provided by the fuel card supplier enables far greater and easier cost management.

For UK & Irish hauliers travelling further afield, a European fuel card can be obtained which can be used at 3000 locations across mainland Europe including UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg.  This card is invaluable to the international haulier or business. The demand for European fuel cards is growing at a pace. Increasingly international hauliers are opting for the European card, because in many cases fuel is cheaper on the continent than it is in the UK.

Some fuel cards are multi-purpose and cover fuel, tolls, etc, but the haulier is paying a premium for the privilege. Individual cards are much more cost effective and offer bigger discounts. With multi-purpose cards hauliers are paying for convenience. It is found that many motorway toll cards offer a 20% discount off the standard toll prices. These toll cards come in quite sophisticated forms for example the TIS-PL electronic road toll pass system in France which attaches to the windscreen. When approaching a toll gate, the barrier senses the TIS-PL and it automatically lifts. When travelling one or more countries, a toll card enables your journey will be quicker because you do not have to queue in line and pay the tolls by cash. Therefore you do not have to have extra money for the tolls which is especially useful should a business have a high number of vehicles. As with fuel cards, each time the toll pass is used it is logged down and shown on the invoice.

Fuelcards.com is based in the UK, and offers fuel cards for use throughout the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and also mainland Europe fuel cards.

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The card allows the holder to purchase goods or services and then after purchase the holder signs a receipt with the amount being paid and the credit card details.

The card has to be subjected through an electronic verification system to see the validity of the card and weather the funds available can be able to pay for the goods purchased.

There are also business people who accept card/cardholder not present transaction. That might be over the phone or through the internet.

The difference between a credit card and a charge card is that where a charge card details that each month the balance has to be paid in full, credit cards on the other hand allows its holder to carry forward their balances although there is some amount of interest charged.

Credit card users are always sent statements highlighting the transactions that have been made and any balances encored and the total amount owed. A credit card secured by a deposit account is the one known as a secure credit card.

Therefore, 100% to 200% of the total credit must be deposited by the card holder. This means that goes ahead and puts $1000, then automatically they get a credit ranging $500 to $1000.

In case of bankrupts or divorce, secured credit card offers the holder a great deal of repairing their credit.

In order for the creditor to look at a persons credit, they check out for three major thing; the length of time the account has been operational, how much a person owes the creditor and the way a person has been paying the other credits.

Most people sometimes make frequent charges and some times carry a balance to portray an impression that they can pay on time when re-constructing credit using a secured credit card.

This causes more harm than good to the credit. Card holders are advised to treat their secured credit card as savings account. Insensitive might be offered by the credit card issuer to their secured card portfolios.

This might mean that the deposit needed may be significantly little than the needed credit limited.

Learn how to apply for secured credit card at my site. Discover where to find the best secured credit card offers online.

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These groups will help one in debt management and get realistic payment plans.

There are also others who use credit cards to pay their debts off. Although it is also tough to get a credit card, there are still some issuers who make it easier for the individual so that they are able to pay off their debts and avoid bankruptcy.

When one chooses to get a secured credit card, bankruptcy will surely be a farther option. These types of credit cards are great in helping rebuild bad credit.

Even people with no credit can be easily approved once they apply for a secured credit card.

Just like getting regular cards, getting a secured credit card, you have to make sure to get the best one. First off, go to a bank where you have regular savings or checking transactions.

They will surely approve your application and use part of your money there for security. Now, be sure that you meet their requirements when you get a secured credit card, bankruptcy must also not be filed yet in the past 12 months.

Make sure that you check out card details before applying for one. Annual percentage rates or APRs must not go beyond the usual 9 percent.

Otherwise, look for another credit card issuer who offers a lower rate. Also check out the application fees and annual membership fees that you might overlook.

Also, do not apply for too many cards at once as this will greatly affect your credit score.

Aside from that, paying off debts will definitely become a little difficult and you would not want to have to file for a secured credit card bankruptcy.

The good thing about secured credit cards is that they are backed by your own money. So, even if you are not able to pay the bills on time, it is still fine.

Getting a secured credit card, or any card for that matter, requires much though when it comes to decision making. You always have to make sure that you get the best ones and those that are not so much of a burden.

Otherwise, they will never really help you to get the financial freedom you are hoping for.

Learn more about how to avoid secured credit card bankruptcy at my site. Discover how to apply for credit card bankruptcy online.

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