Credit Cards Explained
Credit cards are basically portable loans in your pocket! When you use a credit card, you're borrowing money from a financial institution that has given you a credit limit - the maximum amount they'll let you borrow.
Here's how they work: When you swipe your card, the bank pays the store for you, then sends you a bill later. You typically have 20-30 days to pay your balance in full without any extra charges. Miss that window? That's when the finance charges kick in!
Your monthly bill will show a minimum payment (determined by your bank), but be careful - a large part of this minimum is just interest! This means paying only the minimum keeps you in debt longer.
🚨 Watch Out! Studies show people spend 12-18% more when using credit cards versus cash because plastic doesn't "feel" like real money!
Credit cards have advantages - they offer interest-free short-term loans if you pay in full, provide quick access to goods in emergencies, and offer protection against fraudulent purchases. However, the disadvantages are serious: high debt risk, claims on your future income, reduced financial options, and the tendency to overspend.
Using cash instead has its benefits: no debt, less spending (due to the psychological "pain" of parting with physical money), and it encourages budgeting. The main downside is having to delay purchases until you have the money.