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Can you get a 0 Interest Credit Card?

In today's world of living and fighting with credit card debt for most of your life, is there such a thing as a 0 interest credit card?

A Brief History of the Credit Card

The very concept of using a credit card was invented by Edward Bellamy in 1887. He did not make a real credit card; he just used the idea of such a card in his novel 'Looking Backward'.

Western Union began issuing charge cards to its frequent customers in 1914. However, the actual concept of using a credit card for paying merchants was invented by Ralph Schneider and Frank X. Macnamara in 1950. Diners Club was the first to make the general purpose credit card followed by American Express.

In those days you had to pay the  entire balance within every statement which meant it allowed you to use the credit card for a determined amount of time until you got the bank statement. The question of 0 interest credit card did not even arise as there was not a lot of credit really given back then.

How Do Credit Cards Work?

An interested party establishes an account in desired bank or financial institute and upon approval of such an account one is issued a debit or credit card with which one can use instead of cash for his/her shopping needs.

Depending on the type of account you establish you may or may not be able to over- charge your card. However, most people don't use their credit cards for excessive shopping but instead buy household items or electronic gadgets.

When you overspend by using your credit card more than you have in your limit allows, depending on how the account is set up, most banks will fund your bill, but there will be a considerable interest fee charged on the amount provided by the bank for the period the amount is outstanding.

Is there a 0 interest credit card really available?

Well, the answer is yes! If you shop around hard enough you will find a 0 interest credit card eventually. Such cards are usually available with banks that you already have a longstanding record and the 0 interest is usually for a determined amount of credit and for a determined amount of time which, if you violate, you will probably be charged enough to make up for the period you did not pay any interest.

Conclusion

The advice is that you should definitely ask around; a bank will never advertise openly such a thing as 0 interest credit card unless it has a catch to it. So, even when you do get such a benefit be wary of it and read all the fine print. Banks and financial institutions are there to make money off you, not to give it away to you or anyone for that matter.

Latest News About Credit Cards:

Stolen Credit Cards Caught Being Used On Surveillance Video (KKTV 11 Colorado Springs)

A woman's car is broken into, her wallet is stolen and the crooks rack up $1,000 on her credit cards in just two hours. Their crime is all caught on tape.

Credit Cards Stolen (WSAZ NewsChannel 3 West Virginia)

Police in Huntington are on the lookout for two men who they say broke into a car and stole credit cards and then used them at Wal-Mart.

Property owners soon able to pay taxes with credit cards (Escanaba Daily Press)

ESCANABA — People who own property in Delta County will soon be able to use credit cards to pay their property taxes. The service is available, without fees charged to the county, through Government Payment Service Inc. (GPS), said Delta County Treasurer Sandy Buckland.

Woman Wanted In Theft Of Credit Cards, Checks (WHIO-TV 7 Dayton)

BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Police in Butler Township said they are looking for a person responsible in a local theft. Investigators said someone stole a car last month and a woman is using the victim’s credit cards and checks.

Credit Cards Cut Off Gas Purchases (AP via Yahoo! Finance)

So you're at the gas station filling up your vehicle, and without warning the gas pump shuts off. What? The tank isn't full, and you know your credit card isn't over its limit.

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