Although credit cards are becoming a more acceptable part of the financial scene, they are still regarded with suspicion by many people as a major part of the 'live now, pay later' habit. They provide encouragement to spend【1】money. Of course it is only the fool who follows the temptation to live, temporarily at least,【2】his means, and such people would no doubt manage to do so even without credit cards. Advertisers have, however, promoted a growing realization of the【3】of these small pieces of plastic. They do away with the need to carry large【4】of cash and are always useful in emergencies. All the credit card organizations【5】interest on a monthly basis which may work out as high as 25 percent a year, yet careful use of a card can mean that you obtain up to seven weeks interest-free credit. Using the card abroad,【6】items frequently take a long time to be included on your account, can【7】this period even further. It is worthwhile shopping around before【8】on a particular credit card. It is necessary to consider the amount of credit granted: interest rates, which may vary slightly, the number and range of outlets, though most cards【9】major garages, hotels, restaurants and department stores. And of course, what happens if your card is lost or stolen. A credit thief may become suddenly【10】particularly if there is a delay in reporting the loss of the card. However，if used wisely，a credit card can cost nothing，or at least help to tide you over a period of financial difficulty． (11)