Tips for applying for a new credit card

While many shoppers are planning to use cash or a debit card this holiday season, some will still find they need to apply for new credit. I know many at Wallet Pop will tell you that you should just spend less, but just in case you do decide to apply for credit, do it wisely. You also may find it harder to get.

"Shopping and applying for cards isn't as easy as it used to be," Bill Hardekopf, CEO of Lowcards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook, told me by e-mail interview. "Consumers should now expect higher rates and lower credit limits. Approval is no longer a sure thing."

If you still want to apply for a new credit card, here are a few tips to think about first: