PAY OFF YOUR DEBT

Using your credit card and payingthe balance in full every monthwill get you a better credit ratingthan not using the card at all.Lenders like to see a record of timelyand reliable payments and arelikely to reward you with a lowerinterest rate on any loan you negotiate.If you carry a balance, makesure you're getting the best interestrate deal; check out Bankrate.comfor the best current rates. One of theperennial leaders in the low-interest-rate parade is Pulaski NationalBank (800-980-2265), which is offeringboth Visa and MasterCard at5.5% APR and a $35 annual fee. Ifyou pay your credit card balance infull, go for a no-fee card like ChaseManhattan's MasterCard, which alsocomes with a 5.9% interest rate.