For someone with decent or average credit, there seems to be an endless flow of `pre-approved' offers that come through the mail. They always offer very different things, but one of the most appealing to someone could be the 0% rates that are often advertised on cards for some introductory period. Many of these card offers also have zero interest on balance transfers and other offers. Getting a 0% interest card can actually be a very smart decision and can allow you to save quite a bit of money on the things that you buy by paying less in interest. Getting a zero interest card can be a very good idea when you have a card that has a particularly high interest rate or that doesn't offer many benefits to you as a cardholder. But using a zero interest card requires discipline and some attention to detail so that you don't fall into the traps that many do with credit cards.

One of the first things you should do when you are evaluating a credit card offer and if it's a good idea for you is to turn over the application and look at the terms and conditions on the back. This fine print will give you a better sense of what is really being offered. The credit card companies aren't always 100% clear about what they are offering, but they do have to disclose some basic information about the potential account by law and this information can be found on the back. One of the first things that you should look for is how long the introductory period with the special interest rate actually lasts. It's probably not worth the trouble if the zero interest rate is less than 6 months to a year. It is possible to find a card that offers zero interest on a balance transfer until it is paid off. This can be a very good deal and can save a significant amount of money on finance charges after you have taken the balance transfer fee into consideration.

Most credit cards have one interest rate for balance transfers and then another rate, which is normally higher, for purchases on the card. These will clearly be marked on the information sheet for the card. You need to evaluate your financial situation and make the decision about using a credit card based on the current and expected situation you will be in.

A few things to keep in mind about credit in general and about credit cards. First of all, credit cards are offered by the lenders so that they can make money off of the balances carried in interest. They want you to carry a balance on the card so that you are obligated to pay them interest. But paying off your balance every month can be a fantastic way to save money. Over the long run, interest paid on a moderate purchase can really add up if you only pay the minimum balance. Be smart about credit and ask questions when you don't understand something that is being offered. If you aren't sure about whether something is a good idea or not, you can probably just walk away and wait for another offer to come along.