new capital one credit card?

Question

ok i just got approved for my first credit card a capital one it should be here in 10 days im very good with paying my bills so that not a problem it said that i'll have a 0% intro APR untill 4 2008 my question is what do that mean? & i want to know some of the goods & bads with having a credit card the only reason i got it in so i can build my credit so i can get ready to buy a home thx........

Answer 1

That 0% APR should be immaterial. The last thing you want to do is carry any credit card balances. No balances, no interest, no matter what the APR.

Best way to use this card to build your credit is to use it every month but ONLY what you can afford to pay in full and on time every month. Don't run up a balance, even with the 0% intro rate.

Be sure you allow enough time for your payment to get to the credit card company before the due date. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, get the payment there early. In fact, with Capital One, it's a good idea to get your payment in at least 2 business days BEFORE the due date.

I hope you have already set up a savings account and are putting a set amount in every payday toward that house. A nice fat downpayment will help you get a better interest rate and lower payments.

Answer 2

0% APR means that with approved credit you have 0% interest rate until that date (4 2008). After that your interest rate will probably be something like 25%. So IF when you get your bill you dont pay the full amount due, interest will start to accumlate at an interest rate of 25%.

Its great that you are asking these question.
Smartest thing to do is just use your card for small purchases only.....things like gas, food, whatever, normal things that you purchase in a month. Take the money that you would NORMALLY use to buy this stuff and stick it in a savings account so you don't spend it. Then when you get your credit card bill.....take the money out of savings, put it in your checking account a pay your bill. So basically....you are still using the same money....you are just delaying payment.

Good luck and be careful........credit cards are addicting
and they are easy to get off track

Answer 3

Read the fine print closely in the agreement when the card comes. Confirm what that 0% really means. Those are usually applied to balance transfers from other cards, and require you to make purchases each month on the card that wiuld be charged at a higher interest rate. The caveat is that when you make payments the payment is credited to the lower interest portion of the account, so concievably you could have purchase balances with interest accumulating over an extended period of time.
If you want to use the card to establish credit, use it only for things you could afford to pay for without credit. Pay more than the minimum payment each month and let a small balance ride over a few months time, then pay off the entire balance every month. Be smart...

Answer 4

Most banks will not give anyone an increase in credit limit until you have a proven record of timely payments and more then minimum. This usually takes a year at least. Once you have had it for a year, no harm in calling and requesting an increase. If your credit history is not too great you may not ever see an increase (Capital One is tight on giving out increases) I know, I have one account that I have used maybe 4 times in the past (going on 10 yrs now) and they never increased it. Good luck and hope this answers your question

Answer 5

They really aren't a "No Hassle Card".
One ~late~ payment and your 0% rate disappears. Not just missing a payment. I recall it going straight into the default rate, about 28%, and making minimum payments will keep that card in the red for a very long time.
As long as the payment gets posted before the due date, not just sent out, it should be a good deal. Then when the introductory rate expires, use that to get a card from your regular bank with a better rate and terms.
Hopefully, you resist the temptation to do your holiday shopping with that card. If you do use it, pay off the balance as soon as possible.

Answer 6

That means you have 0% financing charge on your purchases until April 2008. Use your credit card very little, try to keep at more than half the credit available, that will build your credit. Pay more than the minimum payment and do not be late. It will help build your credit.

Answer 7

I think it means that if you buy something on the card you only have to pay them back to the cost of what you bought. After that it would be the cost of what you bought plus a little bit (or big bit) for them, for lending you the money to buy what you bought. Does that make sense? I think thats right but I am no finance whizz. I have a Capitol one card. They will bury you in paper trying to get you to use it if you are not. Special rates, credit card cheque book - be strong. Buy something you can afford. pay it off. I think that is how you build up your credit.....makes you feel like a grown up when you get one though doesn't it? ;)

Answer 8

no apr means you don't pay any interest on the balance until 4/08. this a way they hope to get you to run up a balance in 6 months and then you start paying out the wazhoo in interest. my suggestion is don't EVER be one day late. i always pd my bill on time and one time i was 2 days late even though post marked by the due day and i got whammed with $84 in late charges and interest fees that month and another $30 the following month. the best way is to pay your balance in full EVERY month before the due date and you will not pay any interest charges. if you are ever late your interest rate will skyrocket from like 14% to 20+%.

Answer 9

it means you wont have intrest until 2008 so you can pay minimum payments without giving them a cent more than you owe. but watch out. when this period is over you'll get slaped with a real high apr so dont make paying minimums a habit unless you like giving out your money for free.

Answer 10

Be ver-r-r-r-ry careful with that card. Use it for traveling or emergencies unless you KNOW you can pay it off monthly in full. Yeah, 4 months is bliss until reality sets in with a high percentage of rate between 18-24%, right? If you can't control it - don't use it.
(trust me, you'll be sorry if you do!)

Grace.