These expressions may be trite, but some well-worn snippets contain lucrative lessons for consumers who want to squeeze the most value from their credit cards.

Here are seven common cliches that have a grain of financial truth to them. 

Cliché No. 1: The devil is in the details
Many consumers learn the truth of this overused maxim the hard way -- after it's too late.

Take, for example, the highly legalistic and technical wordings in cardholder agreements that can double APRs after just one missed payment or immediately impose daily compound interest on balance transfers.

Wouldn't you rather know about these details and mull over their consequences upfront, before having to pay the piper?

Tip: For help understanding the fine print, contact your credit card provider directly.

Cliché No. 2: What goes around comes around
There's some truth in this cautionary advice, especially for shortcuts like paying a credit card bill with another credit card.

Many online bill payment programs allow you to pay credit with credit. You can also take out a cash advance on one card, deposit that money into your bank account, then write a cheque to pay down another credit card balance.

However, that double-dip approach can eventually lead to hefty fees and penalties, maxing out and even bankruptcy.

Tip: Always pay your bills on time, with money you have, even if you have to take on a part-time job to do so.

Cliché No. 3: Be careful what you wish for
Credit card rewards can be enticing for thrill seekers, but how valuable are those rewards for the rest of us?

For example, MasterCard's Priceless Cities Toronto promotion gives cardholders early booking privileges for full-circle walks on the CN Tower restaurant's rooftop. Participants move around on a five-foot ledge, almost a quarter mile above the ground, and receive a free video and photo of their experience. But for cardholders afraid of heights, the value of this credit card promotion is debatable.

Tip: Before choosing a rewards credit card, first evaluate its APR, fees and other costs.Then consider whether the rewards really fit your lifestyle.

Cliché No. 4: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Consumers win by paying off existing debt, since you free up money to save or spend on items most important to you.

Yet TransUnion's first quarter report shows that the average non-mortgage debt per Canadian has grown to $25,597 -- up 4.5 per cent from 2010. In contrast, stock market day trading continues to thrive, despite the high probability of losing money.

Tip: Simplify your budget by paying down debt.

Cliché No. 5: What you see isn't always what you get
Credit card companies aren't the only ones who bury hidden charges in their marketing materials.

Rating agencies TransUnion and Equifax advertise free credit reports, but restrict complimentary offerings to mailed hardcopies of your basic credit history. Online credit reports cost money, as do ongoing credit monitoring services and the all-important credit score that determines whether or not you qualify for loans.

Tip: Be leery of any ad that mentions free credit scores.

Cliché No. 6: Don't put the cart before the horse
This basic principle is so obvious that it's surprising how often cardholders try to pay without first signing the card's back.

The purpose of the card signature is to allow cashiers to check for credit card fraud when shoppers endorse transaction slips at checkout. Visa and MasterCard require checkout clerks who are handed an unsigned credit card to ask for photo ID and demand that you sign the card on the spot.

Tip: Credit cards are not legally valid unless and until they are signed. 

Cliché No. 7: Stop being so picky
Here's a cliche you can ignore. Being selective about credit cards doesn't mean that you're being unreasonably fussy.

Hundreds of institutions, including banks, credit unions, retailers, trust companies and finance companies offer credit card products to Canadians. Carefully comparing cards with the most cost-effective combination of APRs, fees, benefits and rewards can save thousands of dollars, according to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC).

Tip: FCAC provides a five-step online manual that details how to choose the right credit card.

See related: 6 common credit score mistakes; 7 money lessons from "The Wealthy Barber Returns".