Birthday cards are expensive. There’s no question about it.

The problem is that a fancy card doesn’t hold a whole lot of value for the person receiving the card – especially if that person is a child.  Every year, we’ll spend a couple of dollars to buy kids a card.  Why not make them a simple little card and put the $3 you would have paid for a commercial card into the envelope instead?  

I know that $3 doesn’t seem like much for an adult.  But to a kid, money is money.  They can do a lot with $3 that they can’t do with a card, especially if everyone who usually buys them a birthday card hands them a handmade card and $3 instead.

It’s just something to think about.

We vote with our dollars.  Every time we spend our money, we aren’t just getting a hamburger or pretty new sweater.  We’re saying, “I support the way this product was made.  I support the way the animals and humans involved in the production of this thing were treated.”  Each dollar is a nod of approval to the practices that go into the production of these items.

I know we don’t really think this way when we’re doing our shopping.  But as we turn more and more to cheaper products as the economy worsens, now is really the time to be thinking of where our dollars are going.

A few easy adjustments in the way we shop could make a few small strides. 

First, consider buying locally made foods at your grocery store.  If your grocery store doesn’t offer local products, ask them why.  Why, for example, can’t I buy tortillas made at a small local business but I can get tortillas from huge factories thousands of miles away?  Or why can’t I get handmade ice cream made in the next town over, but I can get fifty selections from the other side of the country?  I try to make an effort to ask these questions.  If businesses don’t know what the customers want, they won’t change.

Second, you may consider some Christmas shopping at these sites where individuals sell their homemade products.  I was recently given an apron here.  It cost the same as the apron I would have chosen from my favorite purse maker except it was made by an indiviual.  I knew that the profits were going to her and not a CEO who doesn’t even touch the sewing machine.  There are prints, sculptures, holiday cards, decor, clothing, gifts…  

• etsy.com  “Your place to buy and sell all things handmade”
• dawanda.com  “Products with love” and “DaWanda is the place for unique and individual products and people. Buy handmade and hard to find goods, share your discoveries with your friends and create your own collections.”

The credit card industry has been booming over the past few decades. Why not? They offer a service that many love to utilize. American’s have utilized it to a tune of about 70 Billion dollars at last check. But, what a deal. Buy now, pay later. No money, no problem. Well, I guess that depends on how you look at it. Or, perhaps from which side of the fence that you stand on. From the credit card companies side of the fence, it is awesome. From the consumer’s side, it can be a little frightening. Don’t get me wrong, credit cards can be a great thing. They are the future. I see a day when cash will not be utilized at all, where all transactions are made on plastic. And although the bottom line is that credit card companies will always have the upper hand, that does not mean that credit cards cannot be a successful financial enterprise for the consumer, as well.

Knowledge is the key to success. The more you know about your credit cards, credit scores and how to play the game, the better your odds of success. Here are 6 things credit card companies would rather you didn’t know.

1. 1. Some credit cards come with a Universal Default Clause. This is where it becomes vitally important that you read the small print. This clause simply states, that if you are late on your payment, your interest rate can automatically rise as high as 30%. Here is the kicker. Even if you are late on another credit card, not even with the same company, with this clause, they can still raise your interest rate. Do not use cards with this clause. If you can, transfer your credit to a card that does not have a Universal Default Clause.
2. 2. Do not be lead to believe that all you have to do is make your minimum monthly payment. This will normally only cover 1% or 2% of your balance. With interest and fee’s, a $1000 debt could literally take years to pay off. It is always better to pay off your balance monthly, or do so as close as you can.
3. 3. Proven fact. Those who purchase with credit cards, buy more. Consumers tend to double their purchases when using a credit card. Think about it. If you go to the mall with cash, you will be more reluctant to use it all up. But with a credit card, no problem, it won’t cost you a penny today. Treat your credit card like cash.
4. 4. Do not max out your credit card. Ever. Always try to spend no more that 50% of your credit limit. Whenever you cross that 50% margin, you credit score can go up. Creditors frown on maxed out credit cards.
5. 5. Do not be fooled by all the credit card rewards programs. You will pay for them in one way or another. Avoid these, or do not bank your choice of a credit card on them. You will be better off in the end.
6. 6. If you are not happy with your credit card, you can call your credit card company and seek a better deal. If you feel your interest is to high, give them a call. If you think the fee’s are to high, or your payments are to steep, give them a call. It is in their best interests to deal with you, or risk losing you to a card that offers you more.

Know your card. Read the fine print. Never cancel a card, it hurts your score. Simply cut it in half and use another. Education is your best tool. Make your payments, be responsible, and you can enjoy your credit cards without a mountain of debt.

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Debbie Dragon is a writer for CreditorWeb.com, where she writes about credit cards, credit card offers and general personal fnance.

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You can get discounts with Kohls coupons or Macys coupons. This could save you a chunk of change, versus shopping at their department stores. And if you wanted, you could even go take a look at the items in the brick and mortar stores beforehand.

Hopefully you will be able to find some great bargains and codes that will save you money today and down the road.

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