In ancient times people measured wealth by land and cattle. Eventually that changed and wealth was measured by gold. Today wealth is measured by your bank account balance. However, because we are living in a country that has one of the highest crime rates in the world people are too scared to carry money. Most people prefer to make credit card payments instead of paying cash.

You can pay for anything using your credit card and you can choose the type of credit card suited to your needs. More than just a status symbol, credit cards have many advantages that are often overlooked when considering which card to choose.  These advantages are great for those that are responsible and for those that can handle the power that comes with a credit card.

Credit cards give you the ability to purchase products or services whenever and wherever you want, without needing cash and you can pay the instalments at the end of the month. You can withdraw cash at ATMs and banks like a regular savings account card. You get the convenience of online or telephone shopping with the benefit of paying small monthly instalments for large purchase prices. Loyalty point systems are another benefit of owning a credit card. When you swipe your card at a credit card machine you earn points which you can convert into cash or use to buy products and services. Sometimes these points give you a discount on future purchases with your credit card or discounts on holiday destinations.

Although credit cards have many advantages, users need to be responsible with them in hand. If you are irresponsible with your credit card you could end up in a lot of debt. You do not want to buy more than you can afford but this happens to many people. Because of the cashless nature of credit cards you might be inclined to forget you need to pay the money back, with interest. Nevertheless, there is always a need for credit cards and if you are responsible applying for one can be a good idea. Find out from a consultant which card will suit you best and the minimum requirements as well as pay back plan.