Top 5 Credit Card Myths Busted
Credit cards, much like any financial product, seem to create anxiety for many. With so many rumours surrounding credit cards, we decided to reach out to our favourite influencers across travel, lifestyle, and personal finance for help on busting these myths and sharing the facts.
Here are your top five credit card myths busted once and for all:
Myth #1: Having a credit card means you are financially irresponsible
Credit cards are a great way for you to start building credit and earn rewards from everyday purchases. If you’re spending wisely and are paying off your balance each month, credit card debt won’t be an issue.
Myth #2: Getting a credit card will hurt your credit score
The exact opposite is actually true here. The best way to establish credit is to start by getting a credit card. By paying off your debt in full each month, there’s nowhere but up for your credit score. Be wary of credit utilization though. A high utilization ratio will negatively affect your credit score.
Myth #3: Credit card rewards encourages people to spend and get into debt
If you choose the right credit card and spend responsibly, it can actually save you money. Look at your own financial situation, and choose a credit card accordingly (i.e. cash back credit cards vs. travel credit cards vs. low interest credit cards). By selecting the right card, it can save you in the long run.
Myth #4: Cancel old credit cards that you don’t use
This one is a bit tricky, but in the bigger picture of personal finance, it’s best to leave your oldest credit card open. Credit bureaus generate a score based on your credit history, so if you have a credit card that you’ve used for many years and is in good standing—even if you don’t use it any longer—keeping it open can only help.
Myth #5: All you have to do is pay the monthly minimum on your credit card
Paying off any bit of your credit card debt is always a good first step. But by only making minimum payments, you’ll only cover the interest that accrues. The amount you owe will basically remain the same.
And there you have it! The moral of the story here is not to believe everything that you hear. A mix of your own research and advice from knowledgable friends or family can go a long way.
We want to thank all of the contributors who helped us put this story together by sharing their biggest credit card myths.
Bonus credit card myths
We couldn’t group all of the myths we received in the top five, so here are some additional credit card myths we’ve busted: