Credit cards are a must for a lot of people. Some of us are good enough to manage to repay the balance in full each month - not only avoiding paying interest, but in a lot of cases earning cashback on purchases, too!

In the vast majority of cases, though, we do not manage to pay off our balances each month and end up incurring interest. The interest (APR) on credit cards can vary hugely so can work out very expensive. Where interest payments are high, it may be worth considering applying for a new card - with an introductory 0% balance transfer offer if possible. This allows you to transfer the balance off your old card - and give you some time to make steady repayments where you know every penny you pay comes off the balance.

If you are looking to fund a larger purchase or want to take time to repay the balance, a personal loan could be a cheaper option for you.

Don't forget that card issuers will run a credit check on you before accepting you for a card. Make sure you check your credit history for abnormalities and/or errors before you apply. Check your credit history online for free with CreditExpert from Experian. See below right for details.

Card Provider	Apply Online	Card Provider	Apply Online	Check your credit history for FREE with Experian Credit Expert
American Express Nectar Card		NatWest
Capital One		RBS
Egg Card		Vanquis
MBNA Points Card		Virgin
Barclaycard