You're in the midst of something urgent and the phone rings.

You drop everything to take the call. There's a stranger at the other end.

"Do you want a new credit card?"

You're justifiably annoyed but, before you can slam the phone down, the salesperson at the other end dangles the freebies.

Currently, the hottest one is: No fee.

No membership fee when you apply. No annual fee when you renew.

Now that is something to consider (actually, anything free is!).

If you do succumb and get yourself a card (or another card), here's how to use it to the hilt (without getting into any kind of financial trouble). Remember, it becomes dangerous only when the credit is no longer free (see Are you revolving on your credit card?).

Text: Larissa Fernand
Illustrations: Dominic Xavier