Ten Credit Card tips to keep in mind during Financial Literacy Month
April 20, 2021
What does financial literacy even mean? Financial literacy is the confluence of financial, credit, debt management, and the knowledge that is necessary to make financially responsible decisions—decisions that are integral to our everyday lives. A strong foundation of financial literacy can help support various life goals, such as saving for education or retirement, using debt responsibly, and running a business. There are various ways to improve your financial literacy (like creating a budget and sticking to it), but one area to specifically focus on is credit cards.
According to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Bank, there are about 1.06 billion credit cards in use in the United States, with over 70% of people having at least one credit card. Roughly 14% of Americans have at least 10 credit cards! Obviously, they are a great tool when used properly. When used responsibly, credit cards can be a safe and convenient way to pay for purchases or household expenses. Credit cards can help you increase your credit score and get a better rate when applying for other loans. There are several credit card programs out there for first timers with little to no credit history, making them great options to build credit. However, it is easy to get in trouble when used irresponsibly. Credit card users that overspend can quickly find themselves paying interest on owed debt or even unable to pay off their balances.
So, how can you ensure you are using credit cards responsibly? The below tips on smart credit card usage were provided by Hands on Banking, a public service offered by Wells Fargo.
Ten Tips for Credit Card Users
- Pay on time. Ask your credit card issuer if it offers automatic payments options or email alerts to remind you when a payment is due.
- Read your cardholder agreement – all of it. The agreement spells out fees and finance charges, so make sure you understand the terms. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask your card issuer’s customer service agents.
- Learn the facts about finance charges. If you don’t pay the entire amount due within the grace period, you will be charged interest on the unpaid amount. Understanding how creditors calculate interest can help you to manage your costs. Make sure you know the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), Periodic Rate, and the method the creditor uses to calculate interest.
- Know your credit limit. Monitor your account so you know how much available credit you have. Stay well below your limit in case you need to make an emergency purchase.
- Create a budget and stick to it. Budgeting helps you keep control of your finances and resist spending sprees. If you plan ahead, you’ll know whether or not you can afford a particular purchase.
- Reduce your debt. Keep your credit card balance low and don’t take on more debt than you can handle. This will also help your credit score.
- Limit cash advances. These advances often incur higher fees and finance charges.
- Applying for a new account? Think first. When a potential lender requests your credit report, an “inquiry” registers on your report. A high number of inquiries can negatively affect your credit score, so only apply for a new account when you really need it.
- Prevent credit card fraud. Keep close tabs on the activity in your account. Many credit card companies allow you to check your account activity online at any time. Make sure that each transaction was made by you. If you notice suspicious activity, report it to your credit card issuer immediately.
- Review your credit report. At the website www.annualcreditreport.com, you can receive one free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three largest credit bureaus in the United States.
For more tips to improve your financial literacy this month, visit https://handsonbanking.org/resources or How Can I Lower My Credit Card Interest Rates? (enrich.org) to learn more!
Hands on Banking is a free, non-commercial financial education program that teaches people in various stages of life about the basics of responsible money management.
Our guest blogs are written and produced by organizations within our membership. They are not intended to reflect the views nor opinions of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.