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Let's face it - currency isn't green anymore. Currency is a slab of rectangular plastic decorated in goldfish, landscapes, paintings or whatever ' sporting a magical black strip on the rear side. Plastic is convenient, but dangerous. However, there are instances when credit cards can prove to be necessary. Emergencies, delayed paydays, holidays ' all can be aided with a good credit card.

So which ones are the good ones? How can you tell when a credit card offer will live up to the hype that it's envelope screams at you? The biggest thing to look at is the APR. People used to think that the greater the number of benefits offered by a credit card ' the better the credit card. This is simply not the case. When it comes down to it, the best benefit out there is to have low to zero finance charges and interest. A 0% APR credit card provides this benefit. So do credit card companies actually offer 0% APR?

When you receive a credit card offer in the mail, the first thing you should look for is the APR. Likely, it will be printed in bold and set in a huge font. The offer may read 0% annual percentage rate or APR ' but look closer. Often the 0% offer is simply a lure to hook consumers and will only last about six months, and then the APR shoots up. Whether the credit card shoots up a lot or a little should be the determining factor on whether or not to sign up for the offered credit card.

Sometimes, even short-term 0% cards can be very helpful. In many instances, 0% APR is attractive to people who need to transfer a balance from a high interest card. Debt consolidation is a smart and common practice to help higher credit scores and manage debt effectively.

It's hard to find negatives in 0% credit cards, but they can prove to be less beneficial for some. For those who pay off there credit cards every month, and do not have to worry about carrying a balance ' a rewards card is the way to go.

All in all, there are three options. One, choose a credit card with the lowest APR possible. Two, go for the card that offers the best rewards ' as long as you pay it off every month. Or three, just avoid added debt ' because the absence of a credit card always will carry 0% APR.