By Sushant Agarwal
Published on | Jun 30, 2025
It’s not free money. A credit card is a short-term loan you must repay—ideally, in full every month.
Pick a beginner-friendly card with no annual fee, lower interest, and simple reward programs.
A low limit keeps your spending in check and reduces the risk of falling into debt.
Timely payments are crucial. Even one missed due date can hurt your credit score.
Paying only the minimum traps you in debt. Pay the full amount to avoid high interest.
Use your card app to monitor spending. It helps you stay within budget and spot any fraud early.
High utilization lowers your credit score. Try to use only a small part of your available limit.
Cash advances come with high fees and interest—avoid them unless it’s an emergency.
Know your card’s APR, late fees, and annual charges. Read the fine print before using it.
Credit cards make spending easy. Think twice before swiping for non-essential purchases.
Use your card to build credit history, not for survival. Relying on it regularly can lead to debt.
Check monthly statements for errors and access your free credit report once a year to stay informed.