*Note: The article presented here is written by authors not affiliated with hashemian.com.
This site is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or objectionable content.
Exercise care before engaging in business with any companies mentioned in this article.

Go to: /articles/2005/10/28/ for other articles.

Are We Underestimating What We Spend On Credit Cards?

An investigation organized by Egg says consumers have greatly underestimated the amount that credit cards are used throughout the United Kingdom, what this means is consumers are spending a lot more than they think. The investigation revealed that when consumers thought they had spent was Ł236billion was in fact Ł437 billion, some difference!

How come there is such a big difference?

Well most of us usually pay for everything with the plastic card and find it hard to keep track of what we spend.

Most people have more than one credit card and a lot of them transfer their balances from time to time to get the best interest rate, so when you are working with two or more credit cards it's easy to miscalculate how much you're spending, and with so many different payment options for you to choose from you can see how there can be such a difference in what we spend, over Ł200billion! scary or what?

Another question you have to ask is, if we do not know what is in our accounts how do we know we are not getting ripped off?

Six out of ten consumers didn't know how much was in their accounts so money could be taken out and they would have no idea. Mind you some would say (not me you understand) if you don't keep track of your money you deserve to have it pinched.

The British Bankers Association revealed that by the end of September, credit card sales had fallen for the last two months indicating that consumers are being careful, but with Christmas around the corner I am sure the credit card sales will be up and we will have another bumper spending spree with the plastic cards.

So the question was, are we underestimating what we are spending? well the facts definitely say yes!

So what should we do about it well keep a tighter grip on your accounts, double check what's coming in and out and make sure everything balances at the end of the month.

good luck!

Peter Kenny is a writer for creditcards-gb.co.uk. For additional articles and an extensive resource for everything about credit cards and loans, please visit us at www.creditcards-gb.co.uk and www.moneywize.co.uk

Some important contacts:

www.bba.org.uk www.cccs.co.uk

Permission is granted to reprint the above article in your electronic or print publication(s) as long as no changes are made and the byline is included.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Article Topics