Credit and Credit Cards

Costs and Benefits of Having a Credit Card

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Credit CardsA card issued by a financial institution giving the holder  an option to borrow funds

Credit cards charge interest and are primarily used for short-term financing.

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Credit Cards Interest usually begins one month after a

purchase is made, and the amount you may borrow is predetermined.

Your credit limit and your interest rate will be determined by your credit rating.

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Benefits of a Credit Card1. Ease of making purchases - Makes it

easier to buy items, especially if you do not want to carry a lot of cash. Some businesses require a credit card, such as hotels and car rentals.

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Benefits of Credit Cards2. Your purchase may be protected if it is lost, broken, or stolen. It may make it easier for you to return the item.

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Benefits of Credit Cards3. Building your credit history - Having a credit card and using it wisely (making payments on time and in full each month) will help you build a good credit history.

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Benefits of Credit Cards4. Emergencies - Credit cards can also be useful in times of emergency. Sometimes emergencies (such as your car breaking down or a flood or fire) may lead to a large purchase (like the need for a rental car or a motel room for several nights).

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Benefits of Credit Cards5. Safety - You can make purchases without carrying around a lot of cash. Helps prevent you being robbed and losing all your money.

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Benefits of Credit Cards

6. Extra benefits - some credit cards offer additional incentives, such as discounts from particular stores or companies; bonuses, such as free airline miles or travel discounts; and special insurances (like travel or life insurance).

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Risks of Credit Cards1. Overspending - Credit cards

encourage people to spend money they do not have. Many people will not pay off the balance each month and continue to charge, blowing their budget.

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Risks of Credit Cards2. Interest - If you do not pay off your credit card each month, you will be charged interest. The interest rate is usually very high on credit cards, higher than you earn on money saved.

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Risks of Credit Cards3. Debt - When people do not pay off credit cards each month, allow the balance to increase with interest, and continue to charge new purchases, they go into debt.

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Risks of Credit Cards4. Credit card fraud - Credit cards can be stolen or lost. People may also steal the information off your credit card and make fraudulent purchases. You must protect your credit information.

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Risks of Credit Cards5. Impulse buying - People will not wait until they have the cash or for the item to go on sale.

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Risks of Credit Cards6. Sacrifice - You may have to sacrifice things you need now because you must pay off credit cards for things you have already purchased. You may have to give up some long-time goals or give up saving.

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The 5 C’s of CreditCreditors look for 5 C’s before granting credit to an individual or business.1. Character - Integrity2. Capacity - Ability to repay the loan; job

history3. Collateral - Some loans require property

to secure a loan.4. Capital - Net worth5. Conditions - The purpose for the loan;

local economic conditions

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Establishing CreditBorrow from your bank against

your savings.Establish an account with a gas

company or department store.Without prior credit history, you

may need a co-signer.

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What Impacts Your Credit Rating1. Past credit history2. Amount you owe3. Length of having an established credit

history4. Amount of new credit 5. Number of credit cards you have

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Credit Trouble Warning Signs Charging to limit and applying for many

new cards Using credit cards and cash advances to

pay for essentials like groceries. Use one credit card to make payment

for another credit card.

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Credit Trouble Warning Signs Borrowing from family members to pay

bills You are afraid to get the mail and open

your credit card statements. No savings or frequently dipping into

savings to pay on your accounts

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