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Credit cards are proving to be one of the safest methods for making purchases in your local community or online.
In Brain Injury Survivor's Guide, page 31, there is a story about Beth's first trip alone to the grocery store. The grocery clerk told her the total was $20.00, and Beth wrote a check for $200.00.
Claudia Osborn, in her book Over My Head, tells about leaving home one morning to catch a bus. She carried $20.00 cash for bus fare and lunch. A panhandler came up to her and asked for a donation. She handed him the $20.00.
Brain injury affects much more than memory. Slower cognitive skills present problems when someone is asking for a decision, such as standing in line at the grocery store. Unexpected and unforeseen events such as Claudia's panhandler present the same type of decision-making problems.
Credit cards can be used to remove some of that stress. Most credit card transactions are automated. The grocery clerk totals your order; you swipe your card through the little machine and it charges the correct amount of the purchase.
Competition among credit card issuers is big time. Each one tries to outdo the other by providing more and more benefits for the cardholder.
- Zero Fraud Liability is common. This means that you are not responsible for charges to your card made by someone else without your knowledge.
- Online Account Management allows you to log in online and check charges made to your credit card everyday. (Be sure to read our information about Automatic Memory for Computer Passwords).
- Rewards for using your credit card are really big right now. There are rewards for just about anything. You are probably familiar with airline miles rewards and cash back bonuses. 2007 saw a big increase in Gas Rebate rewards. (Click here to read our information about Gas Rebate Credit Cards.)
Credit Card Tips:
- Never give your credit card information to anyone who calls you and asks for it.
- Never give your credit card information to anyone who sends you an email asking for it.
- Read our information about Credit Card Phishing Scams
- Do your best to pay your bill IN FULL every month. There may be emergencies in your life where you must charge more than you can pay at the end of the month, but you should plan to pay your full bill every month to avoid interest charges.
- Get copies of your credit report. Every American citizen is allowed one FREE copy of from each of the three credit reporting agencies every year. Get it; it's free. (Read our information about Free Credit Reports.)
Credit cards can be a good benefit to someone resuming life after brain injury. Use of credit cards can help reduce stress when used properly. Their use can also teach financial skills and financial planning.
Family members serving as Primary Caregivers should always be involved in monitoring any financial undertakings. Teamwork between the brain injury victim and the family member caregiver is essential in all aspects of life.
For more information about credit cards, credit reports and credit scores, we recommend you visit Credit Cards for America.com.
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