2信用卡

Credit Cards

Credit cards enable their holders to obtain goods and services on credit. They are issued by retail stores, banks, credit-card companies to approved clients. The bank or credit-card company settles the client’s bills, invoicing him monthly and charging interest on any outstanding debts. Their profit comes from the high rate of interest charged, the card-holders’ subscriptions, and the fees paid by some organizations that accept cards.

First popular in California, credit cards spread throughout the United States and most of Western Europe during the late 1960s. Although credit cards are becoming a more acceptable part of the financial scene, they are still regarded with suspicion by many as being a major part of the “live now, pay later’’ syndrome. Along with hire-purchase, rental and leasing schemes, they provide encouragement to spend more money. Of course, it is only the foolhardy who succumb to the temptation to live, temporarily at least, beyond their means, and such people would no doubt manage to do so even without credit cards.

Advertising campaigns have, however, promoted a growing realization of the advantages of these small plastic cards. They obviate need to carry large amounts of cash and are always useful in emergencies.

All the credit organizations charge interest on a monthly basis which may work out as high as 25 percent a year, yet judicious purchasing using a card can mean that you obtain up to seven weeks interest-free credit. Using

the card abroad, where items frequently take a long time to be included on your account, can extend this period even longer.

It is worth your while shopping around before deciding on a particular credit card. It is necessary to consider the amount of credit granted; interest rates, which may vary slightly; the number and range of outlets, though most cards cover major garages, hotels, restaurants and department stores; and of course，what happens if your card is lost or stolen. A credit card thief may be sitting on a potential gold mine particularly if there is a delay in reporting the loss of the card.

However, if used wisely, a credit card can cost nothing. Or at least help to tide you over a period of financial difficulty.

信用卡

信用卡能使持卡人通过赊账的方式购买商品、得到服务。信用卡由零售商店、银行和信用卡公司发放给经过批准的客户。银行或信用卡公司结清客户的账单, 按月给客户开列其消费清单, 收取欠款的利息。这些金融机构的利润来自所收取的高额利息、持卡人支付的认购费以及接受信用卡消费的单位交纳的代理费。

信用卡最初流行于加利福尼亚州, 后来在60年代后期推广到整个

美国和西欧的大多数国家。虽然信用卡正成为金融业更能接受的付款方式, 但是许多人仍然心存疑虑, 把信用卡看成是“寅吃卯粮”生活方式的主要表现。信用卡同分期付款、租赁等赊购方式一样，鼓励人们多花钱。当然, 只有没头脑的人才经不起诱惑去过入不敷出的日子(至少暂时如此), 其实, 即使没有信用卡, 这种人也无疑会这样去做。

然而, 广告公司大做广告, 让越来越多的人相信这种小塑料卡的好处。有了信用卡, 就不需要携带大量现金, 而且在急需用钱时信用卡总是管用的。

一切信用卡机构都要收取利息, 按月结算, 年息可高达百分之二十五。但是, 只要你明智地使用信用卡购物, 你就可以赊欠7个星期而不必支付利息。在国外使用信用卡, 由于欠款常常需要很长时间才入账, 无息赊欠期会更长。

在决定购买某家信用卡之前, 最好多跑几家公司。有必要考虑信用卡赊账的限额, 利率—可能略有高低, 接受单位的多少及使用范围—虽然大多数加油站、旅馆、饭店和百货商店均可使用。当然还要考虑一旦你的信用卡丢失或者失窃, 会发生什么情况。信用卡窃贼可能会大发横财—尤其是在失主没有及时报失的情况下。

然而, 只要你明智地使用信用卡, 你就不会有什么损失。至少信用卡能在经济上帮助你暂渡难关。