What are some great credit card management and budgeting tips?

[Gerry Deida]

In summary: I'm kind of new to credit cards. I am an expat in Bangkok and I have this credit card right now:

However, I would like to know if you can share some good tips with me on how to manage it properly, and more importantly, how to set up and keep a budget.

I already know that I should use my CC for things I need, not for things I want. But I have to reckon that sometimes I lose control and end up doing things I did not want to in the first place, therefore, I know it is very important to budget properly. 

So that's all, I want to hear what you guys have to say. Thank you all!

[Nicole A.]

Welcome to Biggerpockets, @Gerry Deida! It is good that you acknowledge that you can have a weakness, and the first thing to do is make sure that you absolutely do not let yourself down. Start out by setting up one or 2 monthly bills to autopay from your credit card. Use the card for nothing else. Hide it from yourself if need be... freeze it in a block of ice....something.

Right after you set up two monthly bills to autopay from your credit card, then turn around and set up your credit card to be automatically paid the monthly balance from your bank account. Now, everything is automatic, you're using some credit by paying bills you'd already pay from your bank account anyway if you didn't have the card, and you're safely building credit.

It looks to be a cashback type of card, so this will essentially be free money to you every so often as long as you're paying your full card balance every month. If you pay a penny in interest, the benefits quickly won't matter (and certainly won't be free).

As for the rest of your budget, I say write it down on paper or an excel spreadsheet. Put down your monthly income (after taxes). Then subtract every single monthly bill you have...even small ones...even silly ones. If you have a bill that's not the same each month, come up with the average and use that. Don't forget unexpected items. Budget money for unexpected monthly items. And definitely budget to pay yourself as in put money into a savings account!