10 Purchases Flagging Your Credit Cards

You know that your credit score — and other similar financial scores — are constantly used to give credit card companies and other financial services companies insight into your money habits. However, these companies are looking at more than just a score. Now they are starting to look at your purchases .

Credit card companies periodically review accounts for signs that consumers might be running into financial difficulty, according to Robert Manning, author of Credit Card Nation . On American Public Media’s Marketplace, Manning offered a list of 10 purchases that credit card companies watch out for . If you have to pay for any these items, don’t whip out the credit card.

1. Traffic tickets
2. Retread for your tires
3. Large amounts of shopping at bargain or discount stores
4. Porn and stripclubs
5. Adult playthings
6. Marriage counseling
7. Cash advances
8. Trips to the spa
9. Income taxes
10. Alcohol

All of these things, one way or another, signal to credit card companies that you may be an increased risk of default . As a result, your credit card issuer may choose to increase your interest rate, cut your credit limit, or take some other action. For some things, it’s better to just use cash.

Image source: FatMandy via Flickr