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How to Be Smart About Business Credit Cards How to use credit cards to their fullest advantage--without getting buried in interest and debt

By J.D. Roth

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

When people learn that I write about personal finance, they naturally assume I'm opposed to credit cards. That's not quite true. I'm opposed to credit card debt.

According to the Federal Reserve's most recent survey of consumer finances, roughly 46 percent of American families carry a credit card balance, and nearly one in four owe more than $3,000 on their plastic.

Because of this, some folks believe credit cards are evil. But credit cards are no more evil than a chain saw. Sure, my chain saw can be dangerous, but only if I use it like an idiot. Used wisely, credit cards can be valuable tools, especially for small-business owners who can earn reward points and manage their cash flow while paying the monthly bills.