Credit cards! Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. According to the latest report by the Federal Reserve, there’s a whopping $790 billion in credit card debt in the U.S. On the flip side, though, opening credit cards and managing them responsibly is crucial to establishing your credit history, which impacts your eligibility and rates for large, low-interest loans.
Here’s all you need to know about credit cards.
When you use a credit card to pay for a purchase, you’re borrowing money from the financial institution that issues the credit card. You’ll repay the loan, in part or in full, at the end of the month when the bill is due. The credit card company charges interest, or a percentage of your balance, which you’ll pay if you don’t pay off your bill by its due date. This number is determined by your annual percentage rate (APR), which refers to the annual cost of borrowing money with your credit card. The longer you carry a balance, the more the amount of interest will accrue.
Now, let’s take a deeper look at each step in responsible credit card management.
First, you’ll need to apply for a credit card. If this is your first card, you’re probably best off applying for a secured credit card. These starter cards require you to make a deposit into your a USALLIANCE savings account, before you can open the line of credit that establishes the loan that’s attached to the card. The deposit will serve as a form of collateral in case of a missed payment or default. Usually, secured credit cards will only offer a modest line of credit. If you make your payments on time, you’ll get the deposit back after a predetermined amount of time, usually eight to 12 months, at which point you can close the account and open an unsecured credit card (which does not require the deposit to serve as collateral) This is a great way to begin your credit card journey while simultaneously building your credit, so you can soon apply for another credit card.
At USALLIANCE Financial, we offer a variety of credit cards to serve your every need. Whether you are looking for a cash-back rewards card such as our Visa Signature Credit Card, a card with the lowest rate out there such as our Visa Classic Card, or the perfect card that will help you boost your credit like our Visa Secured Credit Card, USALLIANCE has the right card for you. Compare our credit card offerings today!
As you consider your credit card options, look no further than your local credit union. As member-owned cooperatives, credit unions consistently offer credit cards with lower interest rates than credit cards issued by big banks, with the most recent data showing the average credit union credit card offering interest rates at 11.22% APR compared to the average bank’s credit card offering interest rates at 12.41% APR. USALLIANCE Financial offers credit cards with interest rates lower than banks and other credit unions. You can also expect more personalized member service when working with a credit union.
You can use your card to pay for a purchase at any vendor that accepts your card brand. You can charge up to the available credit line that’s associated with your card. However, to keep your credit score high, it’s best to keep your credit utilization below 30% of the available credit. So, for example, if you have a $1,000 limit, you would want to keep your balance at or below $300.
You’ll receive a credit card statement from your credit card issuer each month. The statement will include the following information:
It’s important to review your statement for accuracy and to take note of the bill’s due date so you don’t miss a payment.
Once you’ve received your statement, you can choose how much to pay. If you pay your entire bill in full by its due date, you’ll avoid paying interest on the charges you made this past month and only pay the cost of the actual purchases. On the other hand, if you only make the minimum payment, interest will continue to accrue on the balance you still carry on the card. If you can’t pay the full balance, you can also choose to pay an amount that falls between the minimum payment and the outstanding balance.
You might also want to set up automatic payments with us to ensure you are never late on your payments.
Follow these tips to build your credit score and keep it high:
Responsible credit card usage is an important part of financial health. Follow the tips outlined above to keep your score high and enjoy the benefits for years to come.
* APR=Annual Percentage Rate and is current as of 5/25/2022.