What's your credit card personality?

By CreditCards.com

If you're searching for a new credit card, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Zero percent introductory rates, no annual fees, cash back, airline miles, merchandise and low interest rates all have their benefits.

Still, the best perks are the ones that you'll actually use. "For example, it's not going to do you any good to earn airline miles if you don't travel," says Brette McWhorter Sember, the author of "The Complete Credit Repair Kit."

Understanding how you spend will help narrow your choices and give you a good place to start. A card offer that lands in your mailbox is not necessarily your best bet.

Here's a guide, by personality, to the cards you should -- and shouldn't -- consider.

The diva

Your traits: You work hard. You play hard. You like the best of everything. After a tough day at work, you tell yourself you deserve a treat, whether it's a new pair of shoes or the latest gadget on the shelf. Many of your purchases are impulse buys. Occasionally, this gets you into trouble when your purchases extend beyond your financial means.

You should consider: Look for cards that won't cost you if you slip up occasionally, says Clarky Davis, the Debt Diva for CareOne Credit Counseling.

"Since these people tend not to be planners, they'll want to find a card with low interest rates and no annual fees," she says. That way, you'd be less likely to get burned by high costs over the long term if you made the occasional bad buying decision.

You should avoid: You don't need much incentive to spend, or overspend, so you may want to bypass reward cards.

"Rewards cards can trick you psychologically into spending more than you otherwise would," says Brent Kessel, the author of "It's Not About the Money."

• Quiz: Do you have a spending problem?

The futurist

Your traits: You're willing to sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term gain. You've got your finances under control, you don't often feel the need to splurge, and you like to think carefully about the best way to spend your money.

You should consider: Find cards with rewards that pay dividends over the long haul.

"There are rewards cards that will put money into your IRA, and these people will really appreciate that careful-thinking approach," Sember says.

Other good choices include cards that invest reward points into a 529 plan for your child's college education or cards that allow you to pay down mortgage principal. If none of these fits the bill, consider a cash-back card so you can choose your own best investments.

You should avoid: There's little reason to get perks such as low interest rates if you're someone with a responsible credit personality.

"If you pay your credit card off in full, you absolutely should have a card that gives you something back," says Aaron Patzer, the CEO of Mint.com. "Otherwise, credit card companies will take the whole interchange fee.You should be able to get part of that back as a consumer."

The newbie

Your traits: You're finally out on your own. So now what? You're inexperienced with credit and, while you're ready to test the waters, you don't want to get in over your head. You're probably busy with school, a new job or a new place to call home, so keeping an eye on your finances may not feel like your priority.

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You should consider: Get a card with training wheels, says Davis, the Debt Diva.

"A prepaid card can help establish boundaries," she says. "It doesn't allow people to overspend, and they can learn to manage a balance. At the same time, they can learn the flexibility a card has to offer."

Another option for these financial personalities is a card with low interest rates and low limits.

You should avoid: Don't get trapped by cards with high credit limits, high interest rates and high annual fees. Until you know how you manage a card, stick with the basics.

Continued: The better man, better woman

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