Popping your credit card into an ATM is an incredibly expensive way to get money. In fact, it's cheaper to charge purchases than buy anything with a cash advance because of:

• Hefty transaction fees -- usually 2% to 4% of the amount, with a minimum fee of $10 or $20.
• Higher interest rates -- 20% to 25% a year for cards that charge 15% to 17% for purchases.
• No grace period -- interest charges always begin as soon as a cash advance is made.
• Policies that require cardholders to pay off all purchases, even new ones, before paying off cash advances.

Making smart decisions like this can save you a bundle on fees and interest. Our advice on how to manage your credit cards can help you avoid other pitfalls.