Credit cards are a dangerous, dangerous thing. More and more people fall into credit card debt each year, especially when the economy is the way it is. On big thing to keep you out of credit card debt is to know the scheme behind all those 0% interest rate cards you see and are offered. They typically are associated with large ticket items like refrigerators or televisions. They lure you in by either offering 0% for 12 months or even no payments for 12 months. Then it hits you, if you don’t pay the item off within those 12 months, you will be hit with the interest for the entire previous year. If that isn’t enough, the rate will probably be something outrageous, something 25% or higher. Be careful when offered a 0% or no payment credit card. They will make their money at some point!