s an even higher minimum payment will be due the following month - placing an even heavier burden on a cardholder's budget.

On the other side of the equation, if you keep very low or no balances on your credit cards, you can get very low interest rates because the credit card companies w

Many people aren't aware that the total amount of outstanding credit card debt that a person carries can adversely affect the interest rate on other credit cards.

Sounds like a Catch-22 situation, doesn't it? Higher debt + higher interest rate = higher monthly payments that are harder to pay.

Here's how it happens.

Credit card companies constantly monitor a cardholder's credit report and profile. The credit card companies have whole departments of credit analysts whose job is to look for a change in your credit status, limits, and usage. When the analysts detect that additional unsecured credit has been added - either in the form of personal loans or additional purchases on other credit cards (or using one card to pay the monthly payment on another card!), they have the option (and usually do) of increasing the interest rate of the credit card that they have issued. This is to offset their increased risk (higher risk = higher interest rate) that a cardholder might miss a payment.

This new, higher interest rate can even override a low promotional interest rate that had been extended as a "balance transfer" or introductory rate. This means an even higher minimum payment will be due the following month - placing an even heavier burden on a cardholder's budget.

On the other side of the equation, if you keep very low or no balances on your credit cards, you can get very low interest rates because the credit card companies wa

pay.

Here's how it happens.

Credit card companies constantly monitor a cardholder's credit report and profile. The credit card companies have whole departments of credit analysts whose job is to look for a change in your credit status, limits, and usage. When the analysts detect that additional unsecured credit has been added - either in the form of personal loans or additional purchases on other credit cards (or using one card to pay the monthly payment on another card!), they have the option (and usually do) of increasing the interest rate of the credit card that they have issued. This is to offset their increased risk (higher risk = higher interest rate) that a cardholder might miss a payment.

This new, higher interest rate can even override a low promotional interest rate that had been extended as a "balance transfer" or introductory rate. This means an even higher minimum payment will be due the following month - placing an even heavier burden on a cardholder's budget.

On the other side of the equation, if you keep very low or no balances on your credit cards, you can get very low interest rates because the credit card companies w

at additional unsecured credit has been added - either in the form of personal loans or additional purchases on other credit cards (or using one card to pay the monthly payment on another card!), they have the option (and usually do) of increasing the interest rate of the credit card that they have issued. This is to offset their increased risk (higher risk = higher interest rate) that a cardholder might miss a payment.

This new, higher interest rate can even override a low promotional interest rate that had been extended as a "balance transfer" or introductory rate. This means an even higher minimum payment will be due the following month - placing an even heavier burden on a cardholder's budget.

On the other side of the equation, if you keep very low or no balances on your credit cards, you can get very low interest rates because the credit card companies w

have issued. This is to offset their increased risk (higher risk = higher interest rate) that a cardholder might miss a payment.

This new, higher interest rate can even override a low promotional interest rate that had been extended as a "balance transfer" or introductory rate. This means an even higher minimum payment will be due the following month - placing an even heavier burden on a cardholder's budget.

On the other side of the equation, if you keep very low or no balances on your credit cards, you can get very low interest rates because the credit card companies w

s an even higher minimum payment will be due the following month - placing an even heavier burden on a cardholder's budget.

On the other side of the equation, if you keep very low or no balances on your credit cards, you can get very low interest rates because the credit card companies want you to use their cards.

The solution.

Keep to your budget and make every effort to pay off your higher balance credit cards as soon as possible - to keep your credit card interest rates low, and your payments to a minimum. I know it's easier said than done, but you'll receive multiple benefits for your hard work watching your finances.

Another great way to clear out credit card debt is to take out a debt consolidation loan. This will create a single monthly payment at an interest rate that could have an APR of 10% or less (compared to as much as 21.99% APR or higher from the credit card companies!). You can then close some of your existing credit card accounts, and although your debt burden remains the same for a while, you may raise your credit score simply by having less available unused credit! Sounds like a winning combination - lower fixed interest on outstanding debt, and an increase in your credit score. The next time you need credit, a higher credit score could mean a lower interest rate on loans for automobiles and home buying.