Know About Credit Card Alternatives
Credit cards are great financial instruments for building a good credit score. However, sometimes for various different reasons, you might not be eligible for getting one. In those cases, you need to be aware of all the credit card alternatives that are out there to help you carry out similar functions. In this article, we are going to discuss credit card alternatives that you should know about. Let’s get started!
Bank Overdraft
One of the primary functions of a credit card is the ability to borrow your money for the short term. This is something that your bank can do as well, via an overdraft. So, if you happen to be in the need of a little extra cash on a short-term basis then you can very well consider applying for an arranged overdraft. However, you need to remember that this is only applicable to current bank accounts and not saving accounts. Using this facility, you will be able to withdraw money up to an agreed limit if and when your balance goes into negative figures.
P2P or Peer to Peer Lending
Peer to peer lending is increasingly growing as a great alternative to credit cards. In this type of borrowing, instead of getting a personal loan from a bank or building society, you will do the same from individuals. You will get a personal loan from individuals who specifically like to make more money on their savings than what traditional savings accounts offer. It is a fairly easy process wherein you can use an online service to match with lenders. After that, you can get the amount of money you need by being vetted for risk assessment.
Using a Debit card
If the primary reason you want a credit card is to avoid paying in cash, then a debit card is the most obvious alternative you can get for yourself. A debit card happens to offer convenience along with consumer protection to some degree. However, it will in no way facilitate the spending of money that you don’t have, unless you have an arranged overdraft.
If and when you are unhappy with any goods that you have purchased using a debit card. You can get a refund using services such as Chargeback. Under this process, your bank will reverse the transaction, though there happens to be a time limit on when this can be performed. Also, you should keep in mind that it isn’t really a quick process.
Opt for Taking a Personal Loan
Are you trying to plan for home improvements lately but you can’t seem to access the best credit card deals? Then consider opting for taking a personal loan as it may actually be cheaper for you. However, at the same time, you have to remember that it depends on the circumstances of how much you can borrow and at what rate. Therefore, you must first inquire to your bank about it.
This brings us to the end of our discussion on credit card alternatives. Now, let us know some of your personal thoughts about the topic.
