You need to understand what you are getting yourself into when you decide to get a credit card. It is a good thing as it helps in lots of ways.
However, you should be aware that some cons apply. So, you should not just be swayed by the positives that come with having it.
The good news is that we will break down what you stand to gain and the cons right here in this article. The subject discussed here is very important and that’s why you are advised to keep reading. So, let us start by explaining what a credit card is.
What Is a Credit Card?
This is a card that offers you a set line of credit for the easy purchase of goods and services. You would be able to buy goods and services using this card. This is even if you do not have an account balance that would allow you to make such a purchase.
However, this is only possible if the purchase does not exceed the limit set by the company that issued the card. At the initial stages, these cards were only issued by banks and like-mannered financial institutions.
But the trend is changing. This is considering how even some goods and services providers also issue these lines of credit to their customers. Walmart is a typical example of such a company. If you would like to know about the history of this kind of card and the trends over time, you can visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/
Benefits of Having a Credit Card
Some of the benefits that come with having it include the following:
Convenience
Imagine that you had to pay for something worth $80,000. Would you rather pay with cash or use your card?
We guessed as much that it would be the latter. One of the reasons is the convenience that comes with using it. It is light, easy to move about with, and you do not draw unwanted attention to yourself.
You can even make payments online using it. So, you do not have to show up in a brick-and-mortar store before you can use it. This is the height of convenience for many people.
Easy to Use
Using it makes conducting a transaction as easy as it can be. You just input your details, swipe your card, or insert it into a device that allows the transaction to take place.
Another side to its being easy to use is how transactions can happen quickly. The truth is that this is not the only card that guarantees this as the same applies to debit cards as well.
Acceptance
There is hardly a place where you are not allowed to use it in this day and age. This is considering how the world is becoming increasingly digital by the day. This means that the practice of moving around with so much cash is becoming obsolete.
You should even know that using yours in a foreign territory is very possible. This is even though extra charges might apply.
Line of Credit Offered
There are several benefits of using it as we have discussed up until this point in this article. However, the fact that kredittkort (credit cards) offer cardholders a line of credit is the major highlight for most people.
This means that they can make purchases even without having enough to pay for it on their own. The issuer lends them the money and they would pay it back at a later date.
Rewards
There are several kinds of cards offered by these issuers. The major ones are debit and credit cards (as discussed here).
Of all the cards available, no one offers cardholders incentives and rewards as much as credit cards. This is another highlight for users and is why some people have so many of them from different issuers.
User Protection
A lot is done by companies that issue these cards to protect the interest of the people that use them. For instance, some of these companies go as far as reimbursing cardholders that got a damaged good using their card.
Also, the issuer bears the brunt when there is a credit card testing problem. These are some of the perks that cardholders enjoy and why many people are particular about using them.
Cons of Credit Cards
This article will be lacking in vital information if the disadvantages of having a credit card are not discussed. Some of the known disadvantages include the following:
Outrageous Interest Rate
There are so many benefits of having it even other than the ones explained above. However, they all come at a cost.
The outrageous interest rate that sets in especially when payments are not made on time is one of them. You can avoid having to pay them by paying on time.
Several Fees
Even without the interest rate accruing, you should know that several fees come with using it. You have to pay them as not doing so would keep you indebted to the issuer and this can hurt your credit score.
Financial Temptation
It takes a lot of discipline to use a credit card. This is considering how you might be tempted to spend more than you should. This is especially in the face of rewards by the issuer that is designed to make you spend more. So, you need to be very disciplined to use it wisely.
Getting It Is Harder
The process of getting a credit card depends on a lot of things. The state of the economy is one of such things. For instance, getting it now is not so easy.
This is considering the negative impact of the covid-19 pandemic and how issuers of these cards are not too certain users can pay up when due. For more information about this, you can click here.
Wrap Up
We have gone through the pros and cons of using a credit card. Should you decide to use it, you stand to gain a lot. However, you should make sure you get the right one and use it wisely.
