Trying to get a credit card on short notice can be a really frustrating process.  There are so many applications to worry about, not to mention the other hoops to jump through.  Credit scores are just one of those things.  Most know how annoying it is to apply for these cards in the first place, let alone if we want to receive it within a few hours.

Credit cards in general are a bit of a tricky subject, admittedly.  Personally, I avoided getting one for a long time.  Since the internet really seems to flip-flop on them, debating all the time on whether they’re a good thing or a bad thing.  As consumers, it’s hard to figure out what the truth is.

While I wish it was as easy as saying “this is the truth about credit cards,” it’s just not that simple.  That’s why I’m here today: to offer you some additional perspectives on them and whether or not they’re worth some of the risks that are associated.  Sure, even if our parents have kind of beat it into our heads that they’re bad, that’s not the whole truth.

Now, it is totally possible to end up in financial ruin because of one if you are irresponsible.  In my opinion, it really takes a certain amount of discipline to successfully own a credit card, use it responsibly, and build your credit score in the meantime.  As far as how that actually works, well…you’ll just have to keep reading!

What are Credit Cards?

You can find some examples of them on this page, https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-a-credit-card/, before we delve into this further.  It might seem a bit silly to cover these so in-depth, but there is a good reason for it!  A lot of people seem to open their accounts without fully understanding what they are and how they work.

In terms of what they are, though, functionally it is pretty simple.  As the borrower, you are allowed a specific amount of “credit” each pay period – usually a couple hundred dollars.  While it does not automatically reset with each of the periods, as you pay off the balance, you are able to spend it again.  Think of a revolving door, really.

For most of them, interest will be charged at a set rate (pre-determined in your original contract).  So, as you make your payments, there will also be interest charged on that remaining balance.  This is where the slippery slope comes in, you see – if you have a very high balance but can only make minimum payments each month, the interest rates can mean you will be stuck owing a lot of money.

Still, though, they do have practical purposes.  For example, a lot of people end up using them for very specific purchases.  This could be gas or petrol, groceries, or anything that you really decide.  For budgeting purposes, this is typically the “right” way to go to ensure that you do not overspend.  Even dedicating your card to fun things can work so long as you don’t overindulge!

Credit Scores and Why they are Important

With the basics handled, let us turn our attention to credit scores.  Many people use their credit cards to improve their scores, but it can have the opposite effect as well if you are not careful.  There are some tips and tricks that you can keep in mind if this is your goal!

Obviously, these scores matter because they have a big impact on your ability to make large purchases later in life.  Property, automobiles, you name it – most of the lenders who assist in those cases end up checking on your score when determining whether or not you will be approved (as well as what your interest rate will be).  

Now, you may be wondering, how does this play a part in kredittkort på dagen and the ability to apply on the same day for a card?  You may be surprised to learn that it is in fact quite impactful!  The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to be approved on that same-day basis.  After all, it proves that you are someone who can be trusted with loans and borrowing money.

Really, there are just a few differences that will become pretty apparent if your score is in the poor-to-fair range.  Most notably of those is the fact that the interest rates you’re offered are probably going to be higher than someone who has a good credit score, since there’s more of a risk for the card company.  Don’t let that discourage you, though, since it doesn’t mean you’ll never get approved.

Creating a Budget and Spending Responsibly

Since we have covered the other important facets of credit card ownership thus far, I want to finish out today by explaining some of the ways that we can own them responsibly.  After all, while applying for one and obtaining them is not all that difficult in today’s day and age, it is what comes after that is tricky. 

There are many ways that you can create a budget, so I will try not to harp too much on that point.  If you want to get an in-depth look at how to do so, you can check out a web page like this one!  Besides that, though, the main thing to know is that you should always try to set some money aside each month for your retirement fund or other savings accounts.  Emergency funds are quite important.

How can we effectively build our credit scores with a credit card, then?  It is not as complicated as it may seem, really.  I know that a fairly common method of doing so is to spend up to fifty dollars a month on gasoline or petrol, and then pay that all back at once.  By doing it this way (though you obviously do not have to limit it to petrol purchases), you are keeping the spending minimal and allowing yourself to pay off the debt in small chunks. 

This ensures that you will not end up overwhelmed, and also prevents interest from piling up at an unmanageable rate.  Typically, that is what ends up swamping people in debt, so being able to stop it from happening in the first place can be quite helpful!  Just some things to keep in mind, of course.

Naturally, this is far from the only way to responsibly own a credit card.  Find what works for you!  You can explore whatever methods that you would like, and by checking out some of the resources that I’ve provided above, you may find even more helpful tips and tricks.

Consider looking into cards that offer cash back rewards or other programs similar to that, since they can end up netting you some money back on items that you are already purchasing!  You can even find credit cards that work a bit differently than the other ones discussed in that they have a very large limit with little to no interest rate – the intention for these is to buy out other loans that you have to minimize your stress or to get a better deal on them.

Obviously, that sort of thing doesn’t appeal to everyone, but I do think it is at least worth mentioning.  Generally, credit cards do not have to be something that we are afraid of.  As long as you know how to handle it with care and do not overspend, you should be fine!  In fact, they can be an excellent tool for improving a credit score when wielded correctly. 

If you have a high credit score already, consider looking into the same-day options!  They may be a bit rarer than the other opportunities, but they can be useful for anyone in a pinch.