Shopping and Holiday Spending

You know you've been on a shopping spree when your bank calls you after you've just spent half the day shopping to let you know there's been a "suspicious" amount of spending on your card. Credit cards make these impulses possible, but what is important, is that you manage your cards so you don't pay interest on your card. Holiday spending and shopping sprees can result in some serious interest repayments if you don't manage your spending and repayments properly.

Featured Shopping Card

The St.George Vertigo MasterCard has consistently been one of the most competitive credit card offers in Australia. Combining a low interest rate on both purchases and balance transfers, the Vertigo is a low interest credit card that is certainly worth considering

• $55 annual fee
• 12.49% p.a. on purchases
• 2.99% p.a. for 6 months on balance transfers
• Cash Advance Rate of 21.24%
• Recieve instant discounts with St.George Instant Benefits

Click here to read the St George Vertigo terms and conditions

Responsible shopping and holiday spending on your credit card is hard for a lot of people and easier for others. It's not hard to imagine being carried away by feelings of joy and happiness on a lovely holiday. We tend to forget our everyday worries and just let go. However, doing this does come with its own dangers, as many people find out the hard way upon their return home.

How to prevent a rude awakening:

To make sure you can enjoy the rosy afterglow of a great trip away from home you should consider the following before you indulge into your shopping and holiday spending urges on a far-away tropical island, or in the swanky metropolis of a popular city.

1. Save up: Do yourself a favour and save money prior to heading away for a holiday. Put aside as much as you can handle each week and deposit the money into a high interest savings account. If you can do this with a year to spare you might benefit from nice rates, given you even more bang for your buck.
2. Do you REALLY NEED this: Before you swipe your card for that sexy new dress, or the glitzy Jimmy Choo's, you need to ask yourself whether you REALLY need to make this purchase. It often helps to sleep on a decision before you actually buy.
3. Do you want this item because of your current state of emotion: You'd be surprised to learn how often we buy because of our emotions. Often when we are sad, frustrated or angry we are in need of a quick fix - shopping. Avoid the trap and recognise the signs, then treat yourself to a cheaper way to fix the issue at hand. Try a cup of coffee, yoga, a brisk walk, or talking to your partner instead.
4. Avoid peer pressure: Peer pressure is as big if not bigger than at school. When you travel with an adult friend who can generally afford to spend more money than you, it's easy to get sucked into their flashy lifestyle. But don't! Unless you are ready to deal with the consequences when you get back home. The best way to beat this trap is by not travelling with rich friends, unless they pay the bill.
5. Book cheaper accommodation: If you choose a slightly cheaper accommodation rate you will have more money to spend on your credit cards.

Take the pressure off by enjoying the things that really matter. Instead of focusing on expensive purchases, why not enjoy the time with your friends and family, the sun (hopefully,) and the location. These memories mean so much more than any purchase you make. Shopping and holiday spending should be fun, and they only are if the pressure is off.

We have written a number of articles covering the topic of Shopping and Holiday Spending on your credit card, to help guide you in the right direction to help ensure that you don't pay interest on your purchases:

• Why Buying in Bulk Saves You Money
  

  It really is possible to save money by buying in bulk. If you’re conscious of the need to save money on your expenses, you could find that there are plenty of options available for buying bulk items and reducing the amount you spend in the long run.



• How Use A Credit Card To Pay For Online Purchases
  

  It seems that shopping can now be done almost anywhere and at anytime. You do not need to physically be in a store in order to make purchases. With the increase in popularity for shopping online, there are precautions you should take and procedures to follow to ensure you are do so safely.



• Using Your Credit Card to Buy Appliances
  

  Most people cringe at the idea of buying appliances with a credit card, fearing the high interest charges that they could incur. Instead, they tend to opt for financing options available through some retailers, believing this might be cheaper for them. But is it really?



• Use The Money You Save By Eating In To Repay Your Credit Card Debt
  

  Everyone has to eat. Eating out, however, can take a considerable chunk out of your budget. Using discipline and following a few simple rules will help to reduce your food spending and reduce your credit card debt, as well.



• Use Your Credit Card and Get Instant Upgrades & Discounts
  

  Rewards card have always been a popular choice with consumers. Today with many types of credit card privileges, card discounts, and upgrades available the power of these cards is growing.



• Things to Know Before Buying an Extended Warranty on your Purchase
  

  Its often confusing to understand just why an extended warranty might provide a benefit. In this article we examine the pros and cons of extended warranties that come with some credit cards. Read on to find out if you should look into getting an extended warranty.



• What You Need To Know When Splitting Credit Cards
  

  Splitting credit cards on purchases is becoming more common as Australians try to keep their credit card debt at bay. Learn about the benefits of splitting cards in this article.



• Using Your Credit Card To Buy Expensive Items
  

  When you make large purchases you can cut out some of the cost by using your credit card. If you take advantage of special offers and benefits you will save money on a wide array of purchases. Before you take out store credit look into the types of deals and perks you can get just by using your credit card.



• Draw the Line: Separating Balance Transfers From Spending Cards
  

  We have often talked about the importance of separating balance transfers credit cards from your spending cards. Here is a full explanation on why this tactic alone could save your financial life!



• Credit Cards And Buying Expensive Items
  

  Credit cards are often used for less expensive items. There are times that they can be used for more expensive items. This will be discussed here.



• Get a Secure Credit Card to Use Online
  

  When shopping for a secure credit card to use online, one needs to look no further than the banking group ANZ and their broad list of offers, which include the services Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode (trademark), the ANZ Low Rate MasterCard which offers ANZ Falcon and the ANZ Fraud Money Back Guarantee.



• Using Your Credit Card For A Large Purchase
  

  Recent research has shown that almost half of the young people that want to make a large purchase in the next few months are planning to use their credit card to fund it. There are a lot of benefits to using a card for larger than average purchases, and this article explains why.



• How to Eliminate The Unnecessary Risks of Your Online Spending Habits
  

  Credit card fraud is still a major issue for consumers. Our online habits and the risks we take can often leave us exposed to card crime. Read on to keep yourself and your money safe.



• Credit Card Transaction Declined: Tips to Avoid Your Credit Card Purchases From Being Declined
  

  Using a credit card everyday is something that nowadays most of us do. If this is the case for you then you will probably at some point been through the experience of having a credit card transaction declined.



• How To Get Shopping Discounts Using Credit Cards
  

  Credit card rewards are very popular with cardholders. However, many cardholders prefer to receive instant discounts rather than reward points. A few store cards offer exceptional instant discounts – read on to learn more about receiving discounts for using your credit card.



• How To Cut Down On Your Credit Card Spending
  

  There are many ways that you can cut down on your credit card spending, and this article has some valuable tips you should not miss.



• Buy Skype Credit Online With Your Credit Card
  

  There are a wide range of features that are offered with Skype credit that must be paid for in order to access them. Find out how easy it is to sign up for these features using your credit card online.



• Educational Online Credit Card Simulator Game
  

  The credit card simulator game demonstrates very clearly the effects of overspending on your card, and shows how paying the debt off as quickly as possible will save you a packet long term.



• Shopping Tips To Earn More FlyBuys Points
  

  It doesn’t matter if you’re just looking to buy the weekly groceries, or you want to splash the cash on those retail goodies you’ve had your eye on, shopping is the golden ticket to earning FlyBuys points.
  We’ve put this article together to give you some really useful hints and tips on how to maximise your [...]



• Best Credit Card for Shoppers
  

  If you are the kind of person who loves a good sale, or a day dedicated to hitting your favourite shopping strip then you know there are few things which can rival the thrill of finding the perfect purchases and getting them home where you can start to enjoy them. However, just as quickly as [...]





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Editor's Choice: Our Top Credit Cards




Credit Card	Card Details	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)	Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.)	Annual fee	Interest free days (up to)
HSBC Credit Card	Editor's Choice: 0% for 6 months Balance Transfer & No Annual Fee Featuring a $0 annual fee for life, and 0% p.a. balance transfer for 6 months, the HSBC Credit Card was voted the Best Transactor Credit Card for 2010.	16.99%	20.75%	0% for 6 months	$0	55
Suncorp Clear Options Standard Visa Card	A great 12 month balance transfer offer, combined with a low annual fee and a good interest rate on purchases.	12.24%	17.99%	1.9% for 12 months	$39	0