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Take Advantage of a Big Holiday Helper: Your Credit Card

older woman holding shopping bags while walking through the mall

The holiday season is a joyous time of the year to get together with your loved ones and of course, shop to find the perfect gifts.

All that shopping and entertaining, however, can create financial stress, especially if you end up using your credit card and spending more than you can afford. Or worse, carrying high-interest credit card debt well into the new year. There’s no joy in that!

But here’s the thing: using credit cards for holiday shopping isn’t all bad. Credit cards offer some pretty cool benefits to help you take charge of your holiday spending, protect yourself from fraud, and save money. Let’s take a look at how that 3.37” x 2.125” piece of plastic can be a BIG holiday helper:

  • Purchase security. With the holiday gift-giving comes an increase in online sales and a higher risk of fraud. Using a credit card to shop online can help protect you since many cards offer built-in purchase protection. So, if your card is compromised and unauthorized purchases are made, you won’t be liable for purchases if you report the fraud promptly. Just remember to monitor your account activity so that you can spot and report fraud quickly.
  • Budget tracking. Having a budget for your holiday spending is critical to ensuring you don’t overspend. Start by making a gift and expense list and then look at your finances to see what you can afford. Once you determine your holiday budget, use your credit card to track your purchases and ensure you don’t overspend.
  • Rewards potential. It’s not just doorbusters and other holiday sales that can help you save money; you can also save with credit card rewards. For example, you may get paid to shop when you earn cash back on certain purchases. Your credit card may offer other rewards, too, like gift cards, travel, and other perks that can save you money.
  • Debt consolidation. Carrying high-interest debt going into the holidays? You could take advantage of a card that offers a lower interest rate when you transfer balances. That could free up money that you can use to make larger monthly payments and get rid of that debt sooner. If you do consolidate debt, make sure you don’t run up balances on the cards you pay off, which defeats the purpose of debt consolidation.
  • Extended warranties. If you purchase appliances, electronics, or other big-ticket items, you may be asked if you want to purchase extended warranties for an additional fee. With some credit cards, that coverage is automatically available at no extra cost, which can save you money and give you peace of mind.

Now’s a great time for an Avidia credit card
To help people alleviate some financial stress during the holidays, we’re currently offering a great promotion on credit cards: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles.1 It’s a great opportunity to transfer higher-interest balances or finance a larger purchase. Just remember to pay off any purchases in full before the 0% introductory rate expires to avoid accrued interest.

To learn more or apply, stop by your nearest branch or apply online.

 

1 Consumer Cards: 0% Intro Annual Percentage Rate applies to purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles after account opening. When this period ends, your APR will vary based on the highest U.S. Prime Rate published in the Wall Street Journal on the last business day of the calendar month prior to your statement closing date (“Last Business Day”) and apply it beginning with the first billing period following the Last Business Day. We add a margin to the Prime Rate to determine variable APRs. APRs shown here are based on a 8.50% Prime Rate. For each billing period, the APR may increase or decrease with the Prime Rate. Rewards Platinum APRs are currently between 15.24% and 25.24%, Platinum Edition APRs are currently between 14.24% and 24.24%, Cash Rewards Platinum APRs are currently between 18.24% and 28.24%, and World Mastercard APRs are currently between 18.24% and 24.24%. Rewards Platinum Cash Advance APR is currently 27.24%, Platinum Edition Cash Advance APR is currently 27.24%, Cash Rewards Platinum Cash Advance APRs are currently 27.24%-30.24%, and the World Mastercard Cash Advance APR is 27.24%. All APRs are based on creditworthiness. Rates are accurate as of September 1, 2023 and are subject to change. To find out what may have changed, contact us or check our website for current rates. If you make a late payment or make a payment that is returned unpaid during the introductory period we may end your introductory APR and apply the standard purchase and balance transfer APR. Balance transfer fees are either $5 or 3% of each balance transferred, whichever is greater. Cash advance fees are either $5 or 3% of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Foreign transaction fees, for merchants located outside of the U.S., are (a) 1% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction, if converted from a foreign currency, or (b) 1% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction, if made in U.S. dollars. Subject to credit approval. This card is issued by TCM Bank, N.A.

Secured Credit Cards are not eligible for 0% Intro APR.