Financial wellness is something POW doesn’t touch on too much, but it is certainly something that shouldn’t be overlooked. While for some it may seem intuitive, for others getting and using a credit card can be scary. Using a credit card responsibly and building up good credit habits early on in adulthood will lay the foundation in setting you up for success in the future. Here are some credit card best practices:
- Enroll in Automatic Payments. Many credit cards offer the automatic payment option directly from your checking account to ensure that you won’t be late on a payment.
- Always strive to pay the full statement balance. Carrying a balance and failing to pay above the minimum payment can result in interest payments and could adversely affect your credit score.
- Frequently check your statement and sign up for email/text alerts to notify you when a purchase is made to avoid potential fraud.
- Reserve your credit card for purchases you know you can afford. Using your card only for only groceries or gas is a good start to develop solid payment habits. Plus, the cash back is a nice bonus!
