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Find best offer in the card's fine print so you can end abusive lending practices

Does your mind go numb? I'm talking about when you read over a credit card offer in the mail and try to make heads or tails of all the terms.

If you have trouble focusing, it's probably because the average credit card offer includes 33 different figures (yikes!), according to the Center for Responsible Lending , an organization that works to end abusive lending practices.

Some of this was alleviated by the 2009 overhaul of credit card laws but, for the most part, the problems remain: These offers are confusing. Sometimes, it seems, intentionally so.

If you're interested in a new card, the onus falls on you to be a smart consumer, to read offers - and all of the numbers - in full. But there are tips and tricks to make it easier:

Focus on the fine print

This is not to say you don't need to read the entire offer - you do. You can get a good summary in a mandatory information box in the offer.

It requires terms to be presented in a standard, clear format, stating what it will cost to have the card. It includes key info like the annual percentage rate for purchases, balance transfers and cash advances; the length of the grace period; the amount of the finance charges and how they'll be calculated; the annual fee as well as fees for things like late payments, going over your limit, cash advances and balance transfers.

Focus on the long-term rate

Offers reel you in with introductory rates that typically last for three months to a year at the most. These offers can be great if you need to make a major purchase and want to pay it off over time, interest free, or if you can transfer your balance from another card. But you need to keep in mind that it is introductory and not the No.1 factor in selecting a card.

"The purchase interest rate is probably the most important number, but issuers will try to get people to focus on the temporary rate, which may only last six months," said Josh Frank , a senior researcher at the Center for Responsible Lending who led the study on credit card offers.

The temporary rate is likely the one advertised on the outside of the envelope - the long-term rate is inside. Look at both, but the long-term figure holds more weight. Sometimes there will be a range of interest rates, which means your particular rate will fall in that spectrum, depending on your credit score. If you're not certain whether your credit score is in the top tier, presume you may have to pay the highest annual percentage rate possible.

Debt consolidation with credit cards

Fees payable when continuing service is provided. Repaying debt over a longer period may increase the total amount to be repaid. Calls are recorded and are usually free from UK landlines. Mobile phone users may be charged and should check with their service provider. Cards are provided by third parties and are subject to eligibility, status and terms and conditions. Applicants must be UK residents aged 18 or over.