Don't settle for average

I've been working on a project lately involving credit cards. One of the cruxes of the piece is the going "average" for credit cards--in the neighborhood of 17 percent or so. It's true--and one hell of a hefty interest collar if you're forced to carry a balance.

But, the truth is, you don't have to settle for a card at that level. There are any number of websites--Bankrate.com, creditcards.com, among them--where cards much, much lower than that going average are available.

So, don't settle for the deal that comes in the mail or the one your bank happens to be pushing. A little legwork can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the interest. It's worth the trip.

Jeff