Full Balance

• If you have the money to do so, you can pay the entire $250 balance on your card. In fact, paying off the entire balance is preferable to carrying a balance forward, since it allows you to avoid the interest charges that would otherwise apply. Many consumers use credit cards simply for the convenience, paying them off each month and never paying any interest charges at all.
  
  

Interest Charges

• If you pay less than the $250 balance on your card, the card issuer adds interest charges to the outstanding balance. The interest rate varies from card to card, but it is not unusual for interest rates on credit cards to be well in excess of 10 percent and sometimes as much as 15 or even 20 percent. The more you can pay toward your $250 balance, the more money you can save on interest charges.
  
  

Due Date

• When your credit card bill comes and shows that $250 balance, it is very important to find the due date listed on that statement. If you fail to pay by the due date, you could see a late fee tacked on to that $250 balance, making it that much more difficult to pay off the bill and avoid further interest charges. Keep in mind that it can take a week or more for your payment to be received and processed, so send you check in well before the actual due date.
  
  

Tracking Charges

• If you want to avoid racking up interest charges and late fees, one of the best things you can do is check your balance online. After you pay off your $250 balance, you can keep track of any new charges on the card by checking the current balance at least once a week. Knowing how much you currently owe on the card can make it easier to budget your money and keep enough liquid to pay the bill in full each month. If you are able to pay the full monthly, you can enjoy the convenience of a credit card without paying a dime in interest.