If you're a credit card user, you'll know that there are some great techniques that can be followed to ensure you pay a minimal amount for using a credit card. Low credit card interest rates is one way of keeping costs down. This means that you are unlikely to benefit from 0% introductory periods on balance transfers and purchases, but you will have a low typical variable rate that will always stay low.

Other methods for paying less than you need to when maintaining a card is to stick to low credit card interest rates, that can fall as low as 0% in some cases. These rates are typically for the first 3 – 16 months and can allow you to pay for your purchases over a longer period of time.

If you plan to move a balance across to a 0% balance transfer credit card, always set up a payment plan so you can be sure the balance is paid off in full by the time the variable rate kicks-in. This is a very effective way of avoiding high interest charges, providing you with some breathing space to pay off your debt.