Credit cards are rewarding at both physical and online stores, and they can even help you build a good credit score if used properly. But if managed poorly, you might end up under a mountain of debt. These plastic cards are incredibly important financial tools that can make or break your credit standing. Read on for a few simple tips and apps you can use to avoid credit card debt and handle your finances better:

1. Tips you need to follow

• Do not keep too many cards
  Having too many cards might make it seem like you’re expanding your options, but, in reality, you are left with too much credit to manage. This can also lead to careless shopping, which is among the primary triggers for credit card debts.
• Automate your payments
  Most bank accounts let you set reminders or even automate bill payments. Timely payment of credit card bills is beneficial for your credit score, but you might forget about the credit card bills that accumulate over time. So, set up autopay and rest assured that your credit score won’t be harmed due to late payments.
• Stay away from cash advances
  Stick with using your credit card for rewarding shopping experiences. Although the cash advance feature lets you withdraw cash, it should always be the last resort because it can land you deep in debt. This is because it comes with expensive fees and high interest rates.
• Plan your purchases
  Even the best tips and apps to avoid credit card debt cannot work effectively for impulsive buyers. So, form a budget and control your spending habits. Ensure that you go out with a stringent shopping list during sales, and avoid buying something you wouldn’t pick if you were paying in cash.

2. Apps you need to install

• Mint
  This budgeting app lets you track your income and expenses. You can easily categorize the inflow and outflow of money and know where your credit card was used to make purchases. Besides analyzing the spending pattern, this app allows you to set reminders to make timely payments.
• AwardWallet
  If you keep forgetting to redeem those reward points your credit card gathers, this is a very useful app for you. You can add multiple credit cards, and the app lets you compare and gather details of the reward points on all of them, along with their corresponding validity.
• Prism
  This is one of the simplest apps for collating all your credit card bills in one place. If you have multiple cards for different shopping categories, this app is an ideal choice. It ensures that you do not miss a single payment.

These tips and apps to avoid credit card debt help you track your expenses and enhance your budget skills over time.