6 Simple Frugal Credit Card Tips To Help You Save Money And Enjoy Life

6 Simple Frugal Tips Credit Card Edition 

As you can see, I’m using the word frugal. Today we’re going to discuss 6 simple frugal credit card tips. These tips will help you save money, spend smarter and still enjoy life without feeling deprived. 

1.  Say no to store credit cards. It’s so annoying, you get to the register and they try to pressure you to open a credit card to save 20%. Look Julie, I’m spending $22. Saving $4.40 isn’t a deal. If I’m spending 100’s then I’ll think about it.  

However, while opening a store credit card may seem like a convenient way to save money or build credit, there are several reasons why you should think twice before doing so. 

Higher interest rates: Store credit cards often come with higher interest rates compared to traditional credit cards. This means that if you carry a balance on your store credit card, you could end up paying significantly more in interest over time. The deal on that great sweater, is now costing you triple the price. And missing a payment could result in late fees and further damage to your credit score. 

Usually, you are stuck using that card are only one store. There are a few exceptions, but you’re limited to that 1 store. 

It’s potentially harmful to your credit score: Opening a new credit account can temporarily lower your credit score because it’s hard inquiry on your credit report. Having multiple credit cards can potentially lower the average age of your credit accounts, which can also impact your credit score. It is important to think about how opening a new store credit card could affect your overall credit profile. 

It seems like a good deal when you’re trying to check out, but in the long term, it will totally throw you off. 

2.  Continuing with credit cards, not paying off your full balance every month. Obviously, this is for those without debt. Again, interest rates on credit cards are high. I think loan sharks charge less.  

Credit cards are convenient and you have to have one in today’s day. If you’re making a big purchase, it must be on a credit card and not a debit card. You have protection with a credit card. If the washer and dryer you bought turns out to be a lemon, you can dispute it with the credit card company and the vendor. 

The problem becomes when you carry a high balance. You are essentially borrowing money from the credit card company at a high-interest rate. Each month you carry a balance, you are racking up interest charges, making it even harder to pay off your debt. Over time, these interest charges can add up, making it harder to get out from under your credit card debt. 

Paying off your credit card each month can also help to improve your credit score. A large part of your credit score is determined by your credit utilization ratio, which is the amount of credit you are using compared to the total credit available to you. By paying off your credit card each month and keeping your balances low, you can improve your credit score and demonstrate to lenders that you are a responsible borrower. They will offer you more money that you don’t want to borrow because that’s how you get into debt. It’s a crazy cycle. It really is a slippery slope. 

3.  Try to shop with cash whenever it’s possible. Except with large purchases. When you pay with cash, you spend less. There are studies by people with big brains that confirm it. With cash you’re seeing the actual money. Money you worked for. It makes a big psychological different. Next time you’re grocery shopping, use cash and see what happens.  

4. Sometimes you have the cash but need to use a credit card. Get a prepaid card. Some have fees but some don’t. Paying a fee may save you money because the fee is probably less than the interest you’re being charged on the credit balance. 

5. Don’t save your credit card # online. Stupid amazon makes me do that. That’s the only one. There are times that I won’t buy something because I don’t feel like getting my wallet, entering the #. My eyesight has gone downhill, I hate typing all the numbers. It usually takes me 2 tries at the least. It has to be something really important for me to buy it. 

6. Negotiate a better interest rate. The least they can say is no. Even if you don’t ask, you’re still paying that amount. So ask. Be nice. The customer service reps are people too.  

Those are my 6 simple frugal credit card tips. If you learned only one thing, let it be that you need to be nice to customer service reps. They are doing a job and have to deal with some really crappy people. Let’s all be nice to others. 

These tips aren’t extreme. They are doable. Do you have any tips? If you do, please leave it in the comments. Let me know what your favorite one is. 

Remember, your money isn’t just for paying bills—it’s a tool to build a life you love.