Q: My husband and I are excited to move in to our own place this summer. We will just be renting a townhouse, but we have all these ideas on how to furnish and decorate our unit. We need to buy a lot of appliances and furniture, and to us, the zero percent interest promotion offered by our credit card looks really look good. But I wonder - is it really a better deal? – Leah
A: Congratulations, Leah, on this new exciting chapter in your life! It is indeed exciting to move in to a new home and we have no doubt you and your husband have many fresh ideas on how your townhouse unit will be decorated.
Moving to a new house do come with many expenses - aside from the deposit for rental and advance rental fee, there are utilities to take care of, fees for the movers, and yes, furniture and appliances.
Thanks to credit cards, you can buy all the appliances you need - now - even if you don't have enough cash. And even if you do have the cash, no need to carry all that with you - just present the credit card, swipe, and you can go home with all the furniture and appliances you need, as well as want - whether it's a new air conditioner for your bedroom, a new dining set, a new sofa, even a new TV and microwave oven altogether.
With your credit card, you may choose to pay in full, when the next bill arrives, or arrange to do so in installments from terms as short as 3 months to as long as 24 months. An interest charge is usually added to your bill if you pay in installments, and this fee could range from 1% to 3% add-on per month. We suggest you check with your credit card issuer to verify.
So when you see a 0% offer, it does seem like a deal too good to be true. Citibank credit cards regularly offer 0% installment packages for a wide range of purchases - not just appliances or furniture, but even for gym membership fees, health and wellness treatments, jewelries, watches as well as clothes.
Before you take advantage, study the details of the offer. Is the 0% payment term only for three months? Will you be able to pay within this time? If not, it may be best to sign up for a longer term at low rates so you can better manage your payments.
For those who have the cash ready, charging to your credit card is a good way to hang on to your money a little longer, and earn loyalty points as well if your credit card company offers a rewards program.
Speaking of rewards, Citibank has an ongoing partnership with a number of stores including home and appliance stores which allows cardholders to use their earned points as payment for their purchase (up to as much as 50 percent of the tag price). If you are spending on a budget, this should help lower the cost of your total purchase.
To guide you on your new life together as you go hunting for new furniture and appliances for your home, here are some tips you may find useful:
1.Before buying a big-ticket item, discuss the matter first with your spouse. Since you're going to live with what you will end up buying, agree on the item you want to have at home - should it be a no-frost refrigerator, for instance, or a regular one? A queen-size bed or a king-sized one? A 1-horsepower air conditioner or a 1.5-horsepower unit? The worst thing to do is to buy an item ahead and surprise your spouse; some spouses would resent not being consulted and balk at having to pay for a surprise item.
2.Canvas among several stores to find the best deal. Go to at least three stores and see which one offers the best price. Ask also about delivery and installation fees.
3.Check if the manufacturer offers after-sales support. Make sure to fill out a warranty card and promptly mail it to the manufacturer. Keep a list of accredited service centers so you can easily bring the unit for repair if needed.
4.Keep your receipts, charge slips, warranty cards and operating manuals on file. If you need to have the unit repaired and it's under warranty, you have to show the receipt to the service center. And of course, refer to the operating manual for immediate troubleshooting at home.
5.Keep your furniture and appliances in good condition. Follow the manufacturer's guide on when and how to clean and maintain the item. This will prolong the life of your furniture or appliance.
Happy nesting!
Source: Inquirer.net
A: Congratulations, Leah, on this new exciting chapter in your life! It is indeed exciting to move in to a new home and we have no doubt you and your husband have many fresh ideas on how your townhouse unit will be decorated.
Moving to a new house do come with many expenses - aside from the deposit for rental and advance rental fee, there are utilities to take care of, fees for the movers, and yes, furniture and appliances.
Thanks to credit cards, you can buy all the appliances you need - now - even if you don't have enough cash. And even if you do have the cash, no need to carry all that with you - just present the credit card, swipe, and you can go home with all the furniture and appliances you need, as well as want - whether it's a new air conditioner for your bedroom, a new dining set, a new sofa, even a new TV and microwave oven altogether.
With your credit card, you may choose to pay in full, when the next bill arrives, or arrange to do so in installments from terms as short as 3 months to as long as 24 months. An interest charge is usually added to your bill if you pay in installments, and this fee could range from 1% to 3% add-on per month. We suggest you check with your credit card issuer to verify.
So when you see a 0% offer, it does seem like a deal too good to be true. Citibank credit cards regularly offer 0% installment packages for a wide range of purchases - not just appliances or furniture, but even for gym membership fees, health and wellness treatments, jewelries, watches as well as clothes.
Before you take advantage, study the details of the offer. Is the 0% payment term only for three months? Will you be able to pay within this time? If not, it may be best to sign up for a longer term at low rates so you can better manage your payments.
For those who have the cash ready, charging to your credit card is a good way to hang on to your money a little longer, and earn loyalty points as well if your credit card company offers a rewards program.
Speaking of rewards, Citibank has an ongoing partnership with a number of stores including home and appliance stores which allows cardholders to use their earned points as payment for their purchase (up to as much as 50 percent of the tag price). If you are spending on a budget, this should help lower the cost of your total purchase.
To guide you on your new life together as you go hunting for new furniture and appliances for your home, here are some tips you may find useful:
1.Before buying a big-ticket item, discuss the matter first with your spouse. Since you're going to live with what you will end up buying, agree on the item you want to have at home - should it be a no-frost refrigerator, for instance, or a regular one? A queen-size bed or a king-sized one? A 1-horsepower air conditioner or a 1.5-horsepower unit? The worst thing to do is to buy an item ahead and surprise your spouse; some spouses would resent not being consulted and balk at having to pay for a surprise item.
2.Canvas among several stores to find the best deal. Go to at least three stores and see which one offers the best price. Ask also about delivery and installation fees.
3.Check if the manufacturer offers after-sales support. Make sure to fill out a warranty card and promptly mail it to the manufacturer. Keep a list of accredited service centers so you can easily bring the unit for repair if needed.
4.Keep your receipts, charge slips, warranty cards and operating manuals on file. If you need to have the unit repaired and it's under warranty, you have to show the receipt to the service center. And of course, refer to the operating manual for immediate troubleshooting at home.
5.Keep your furniture and appliances in good condition. Follow the manufacturer's guide on when and how to clean and maintain the item. This will prolong the life of your furniture or appliance.
Happy nesting!
Source: Inquirer.net
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am also under going the same Credit Repair process. and I believe they are as they mentioned before the deal.
ReplyDelete