Setting up your first credit card is a major money milestone: You’re embarking on the freedom to purchase goods and services pretty much whenever, wherever you like. You’re also starting on an important credit-building journey as well.
As you move ahead in this process, you’ll need to understand the ins and outs of setting up a credit card to ensure you choose the right card for your needs and then use it responsibly. To help you navigate this, we’ll share the basics on credit cards, what you need to get one, how to apply, and then the smart way to purchase with that plastic once you’ve been approved. Let’s get going.
What is a Credit Card?
A credit card is a physical card (typically a plastic one, rectangular in shape) that allows you to use your credit card account. By physically presenting the card to a vendor or keying in its numerical information online, you can use your credit card to make purchases, donate funds, and withdraw cash up to your credit card limits. A word about credit limits: The average credit limit in the U.S. now is just over $30,000, but the amount you’ll be given will vary based on such factors as payment and account histories, how much debt you are carrying, and your income. A higher credit limit isn’t necessarily better (we’ll tell you more about why below) as it can allow you to rack up more debt than might be financially healthy for you. Also, note that if you are new to credit, your limit may start low and rise as you show you can responsibly pay it back on time.
Now, back to credit cards themselves. In effect, a credit card is a revolving form of a short-term loan. You then make payments to the credit card issuer. There are various types of credit cards (including all kinds of points to be earned and other rewards) to consider. And depending on your particular situation, there’s also the personal loan vs. credit card difference to ponder.
As you mull over your options, let’s be clear: Credit cards aren’t giving you this purchase power for free. You may pay an annual fee to own a credit card, and you are charged a typically high rate of interest on the balance you carry on your card. (The latest figures say that offers of new credit card accounts have an average interest rate of 19.6%, which is about 5% higher than the prevailing interest rate on existing accounts. Neither is cheap!) In addition, if you miss a payment’s due date, you will probably be assessed late fees as well. Paying careful attention to keeping your credit card account in good shape is an important responsibility.
The latest Fed intel shows that Americans carry a staggering $856 billion in credit card debt. How does that break down? The average citizen has $5,668 due on their account. From those numbers, you may well realize that owning a credit card is a serious undertaking and can lead to debt.
Why You Might Need a Credit Card
Let’s look on the bright side of why so many of us have and reply upon credit cards. They definitely make our lives easier. If you’d like to make purchases or pay bills online, then a credit card can be ideal. Plus, it’s a convenient way to make in-person transactions without needing to carry around cash. If cash is lost or stolen, it may be gone forever. With a credit card, though, you can report yours as lost or stolen and the issuer can cancel your old account and provide you with a new number and card.
When you’re short of cash, a credit card can help you to make necessary purchases. Let’s say your washer/dryer breaks and you’d need about six months to save up for a new one. A credit card lets you get the appliance right now (and clean your laundry) while paying over time. Or maybe you get hit with a major car repair or dental bill. A credit card gives you the power to pay upfront and then gradually whittle that balance down.
Another reason you probably need a credit card: Many lodging facilities and car rental companies, as just two examples, may ask for a credit card number to hold your reservation.
Basic Requirements to Get a Credit Card
Credit card issuers may differ somewhat in the specifics of their requirements to get a card. In general, though, the financial institutions look for good credit scores and the financial ability to make credit card payments. Before you apply for a credit card, you can get copies of your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. If there are any errors, dispute the data, and provide correct information, sending it to each of the credit bureaus that list incorrect details. Credit scores use this information in their algorithm so, the better your credit reports look, the higher your scores should be. This makes you a better candidate for loans and lines of credit.
As a credit score benchmark, credit bureau Experian noted that the average FICO credit score increased to 714 in 2021, a four-point increase from the previous year—and the fourth year that FICO scores went up. What’s most important, though, is your FICO score and how well it aligns with the requirements of the credit card issuer where you’ve applied.
A credit card issuer will also use financial criteria to help ensure that you’re able to make the payments. This can include your income and employment stability. In fact, the CARD Act of 2009 requires credit card issuers to consider a consumer’s ability to make required payments — at least the monthly minimum based on the outstanding balance. Note that, although issuers must consider your income, there is not a minimum that they must require.
Other requirements include being the age of 18 with a Social Security number.
How to Apply For a Credit Card
Next up: how to open a credit card. It basically requires filling out an application and then submitting the application for approval.
You can apply for your credit card in multiple ways:
• in person at a financial institution
• by mail
• by phone
• online.
After checking your credit scores, you may want to compare offers (including interest rates and APRs). As we’ve noted, interest rates can be high, so do research; there are plenty of online tools and sites that allow you to scan various offers.
Some cards may be no-interest credit cards during a promotional period. Benefits can be obvious (not paying interest) but also check the length of the promotional period, what happens when it ends, and what fees may be involved.
Then apply for the card of choice that you believe you can qualify to receive. Many people opt to apply for a credit card online these days because it is quite quick and simple. You fill in basic information about yourself, and agree to a “hard inquiry” credit check (which may briefly lower your score when it shows up that you are applying for credit). Typically, there is no application fee involved to seek out a credit card.
How to Use a Credit Card Once You Have It
Once you’re approved and receive your card, it’s important to understand and follow the credit card rules. What’s most important: using a credit card responsibly. Strategies for doing that include the following:
• Don’t make too many impulse buys.”Too many,” of course, will depend upon your budget and how much your impulse purchases cost. But the truth is, when you are not pulling out cash to pay for an item, it may feel almost like it didn’t happen, unlike when you use cash or a debit card connected to your checking account. In this way, some people can wind up overspending.
• Use the appropriate credit card. If you have more than one card, consider which one is best to use; for example, will you earn rewards on a certain card?
• Take advantage of perks. If your card comes with a reward or cash-back program, take advantage of the benefits.
• Either sign up for automatic payments or for reminders. That way, you can make payments on time, which helps with credit scores.If you fall behind, this can lower your credit scores and make it more challenging to get good interest rates going forward.
• Check your monthly statements for errors. This is how you can catch identity theft and other credit card fraud. Let the issuer know ASAP when you spot something that’s not right — and report a lost or stolen card as soon as possible.
After you make purchases on your card, you’ll receive monthly statements, typically with a minimum payment (perhaps 1% to 3% of the balance or a fixed amount) and the outstanding balance. Credit card companies usually give you a grace period in which you can pay off the balance in full to avoid owing interest.
A common mistake new credit card holders make is thinking that the minimum payment due is the “right” amount to pay and somehow improves their credit. Wrong! The minimum payment is just what it says: the minimum to avoid certain fees. But it can be too easy to get into the habit of only paying the minimum payment, which means that you’ll be paying interest on the balance—and then interest on the interest. It can be hard to get out of credit card debt if you only pay the minimum and keep swiping or tapping that card. It is actually preferable to keep your balance low or non-existent (meaning pay the entire amount owed each month). What’s best for your credit score and financial health is often using only 10% or less of the credit limit on your card.
If your credit card allows you to take cash advances, carefully consider if you should use this option (and check to see what your cash advance limit is; it’s often less than the total credit card limit). Interest rates for cash advances are often higher than what you’d pay on purchases, and it isn’t unusual for a financial institution to charge a cash advance fee. If you take the money from an ATM or a bank, there will likely be additional fees. Plus, it’s standard that interest accrues from the date of withdrawal with no grace period. In other words, this can be a very costly way to get your hands on some cash.
The Takeaway
Getting a credit card is a major rite of passage as well as a big responsibility. As you’ve learned, it can be simple to apply and get approved for a card, but staying on top of your debt can take some attention and effort. Given how many Americans have at times unwieldy credit card debt and how high the rates are, use credit carefully, and you’ll enjoy its convenience and credit-building powers for years to come.
How about another way to savor convenience and cash-smart benefits? We’re talking about SoFi Checking and Savings. When you sign up for an account with qualifying direct deposits, you can get up to $300 when your direct deposit arrives into your account, and you can have access to your paycheck up to two days early. Plus you’ll earn 4.50% APY with no monthly, minimum balance, or overdraft fees.
Explore banking with SoFi today.
FAQ
What are the benefits of having a credit card?
You can use credit cards to make purchases in person and online, and then make payments over time (although interest will accrue if you don’t pay the balance in full each month). You can reserve hotel rooms, car rentals, and more; get cash advances; quickly and easily cancel a lost or stolen card and then get a replacement with a new account number; and use rewards, among other benefits.
What are the requirements for opening up a credit card?
Although credit card issuers can have different requirements, they typically want to see a good credit score and must check to see if an applicant appears to have the financial ability to make payments on the card. Additional requirements:The applicant must be 18 years old with a valid Social Security number.
How should you use your credit card?
There are a wide range of ways to responsibly use your credit card. In fact, one of its key benefits is its flexibility. So, as long as you follow the credit card rules and manage the balance responsibility, how you use it is really up to you.
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