When you think of fiscal responsibility, what are the words that come to mind? Many people think of stocks, bonds, or saving, but few people consider Credit Cards to be responsible. The truth is, that most successful people do use credit cards, however, they are responsible with their usage.

Do not close credit card accounts until you understand the impact it may have. Sometimes it is better to leave an unused credit account open than it is to close it. Also, try to keep the cards open that make up the majority of your credit history.

Don’t pay any fees upfront when you are getting a credit card. The legitimate card issuers will not ask for any money up front, unless you’re getting a secured credit card. When you are applying for a secured card, be sure to find out how the deposit is going to be used.

If you need to use credit cards, it is best to use one credit card with a larger balance, than 2, or 3 with lower balances. The more credit cards you own, the lower your credit score will be. Use one card, and pay the payments on time to keep your credit score healthy!

Read the credit card agreement thoroughly before you sign your agreement with the company. A majority of companies consider your first use of the card to be an acceptance of its terms and conditions. While there may be a lot of statements in small print in the credit agreement, these statements are very important.

Don’t automatically run out and get a bit of plastic as soon as you are of age. While this is what many people do, you need to get a few months of understanding the credit industry behind you before you go all out. Learn more about adult life and adult responsibilities before getting a credit card, rather than impulsively signing up for a card.

If you have several credit cards with balances on each, consider transferring all of your balances to one, lower-interest credit card. Almost everyone gets mail from various banks offering low or even zero balance credit cards if you transfer your current balances. These lower interest rates usually last for 6 months or a year. You can save a lot of interest and have one lower payment each month!

If you can’t get a credit card because of a spotty credit record, then take heart. There are still some options that may be quite workable for you. A secured credit card is much easier to get and may help you rebuild your credit record very effectively. With a secured card, you deposit a set amount into a savings account with a bank or lending institution – often about $500. That amount becomes your collateral for the account, which makes the bank willing to work with you. You use the card as a normal credit card, keeping expenses under that limit. As you pay your monthly bills responsibly, the bank may decide to raise your limit and eventually convert the account to a traditional credit card.

Everyone has had a similar experience. These solicitations often arrive in your mailbox offering you a credit card with their company. Sometimes you are in the market for one, and often times you may not be. When you throw the mail away, rip it up. Why? Your delicate personal information is contained on these solicitations, and a thief can easily damage your credit by stealing your identity.

Find a credit card that rewards you for your spending. Spend money on the card that you would need to spend anyway, such as gas, groceries and even, utility bills. Pay this card off each month as you would those bills, but you get to keep the rewards as a bonus.

A great tip for saving on today’s high gas prices is to get a reward card from the grocery store where you do business. These days, many stores have gas stations, as well and offer discounted gas prices, if you sign up to use their customer reward cards. Sometimes, you can save up to twenty cents per gallon.

It is wise to refrain from giving a credit card to a child. It is best to let children wait to get credit cards until they reach the age of 18, or when they can get their own. Instead, consider opening them a checking account and giving them an allowance. This will help them learn to manage a small amount of money so that they will be ready to manage a credit card when the time comes.

If you would like to use a credit card, you must understand the ins and outs. This is because the truth is that credit cards, while useful, can also be dangerous in the wrong hands. You need to be aware of the common traps that happen with credit usage, in order to avoid them.