Credit Card Terms Everyone Should Know

Published on: 15 April 2023 Last Updated on: 13 May 2023
Credit Card Terms

Whether you are a new credit card holder or have been using it for a while, you must have come across some credit card jargon that is hard to decipher. For instance, if you decide to apply for a credit card online, you might need to understand the annual fee, interest rate, and other charges applicable to that card. Even though all credit cards work in the same way, they differ a lot in terms of the benefits and rewards they offer. So, to make it easier for you to understand the basic credit card terminology and choose the best one, here is a quick guide for you.

Annual Fee

Card companies may charge annual fees on credit cards. This might range from a few hundred to a few thousand depending on the benefits you can avail yourself of on the card. However, certain providers may waive the fee for the first year, while others, may offer credit cards that are free for a lifetime. So, depending upon the kind of benefits you seek, you may choose a lifetime free credit card or a card that has an annual fee but may waive it off on spending a certain amount.

Credit Limit

Credit Limit

This is the overall spending limit or credit line provided by the card issuer. There are several criteria such as your credit score, income, repayment history, as well as the length of your relationship with the bank that determines your credit card limit. Banks may sometimes offer you higher limits if you already have high limits on your existing cards along with a strong repayment history.

Additionally, when checking your credit card limit, there are further three terms that you must be aware of Total Credit Limit and Available Credit Limit.

  • Total Credit Limit: This is the credit limit granted by the bank when the card is issued. The total limit can also be increased when you request for the same or if you accept a limit increase offered by the provider.
  • Available Credit Limit: This is the credit limit that is available on one’s credit card at any one moment. In other terms, the available credit limit is the difference between the entire credit limit and the card’s current outstanding balance.
  • Cash Limit: Card issuers also offer a certain portion of your total credit limit as cash limit. This defines the amount of cash you can withdraw using your credit card. However, cash withdrawal from credit cards should be the last resort as cash withdrawal is not eligible for the interest-free period and even a small amount can escalate to a huge debt.

Billing Cycle

Billing Cycle

The billing cycle refers to the period between the closing of the previous statement and the new statement date. Your credit card provider compiles your statement at the end of your billing cycle, and you have until the due date to make the payment.

Due Date

This is the specified monthly date by which all outstanding payments must be made. To avoid late payment penalties and high-interest charges on unpaid dues, you must make the payment on or before the due date.

Total Amount Due And Minimum Amount Due

At the end of each billing cycle, a new statement is generated and it shows the dues that you owe on your card. Total amount due, as the name suggests, is the total sum that you owe to the issuer, and on making full payment, no charges will be applicable.

However, if you cannot afford to pay the total due, card providers give you the option to pay the minimum amount due to keep your card active and avoid late payment charges. It is usually 5% of the total due and also includes any active EMIs, additional fees, charges, etc. An important thing to note is that on making only the minimum payment, the rest of the outstanding balance starts attracting finance charges and new transactions become ineligible for the interest-free period as well. This is why you should always pay the total due and not just the minimum amount.

Finance Charges And APR

Interest rates on credit card balances are known as finance charges and APR is the annual percentage of interest. It is the rate of interest on all transactions from the date of the transaction until the cardholder’s balance is paid back in full. Note that interest on credit cards is compounded on a daily basis.

Being acquainted with these terms will ensure judicious use of the card and help you stay out of debt.

Additionals:

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Which type of portfolio might a young investor who is not afraid of risk choose

Young Investor: Choosing Risky Portfolio Types

Which type of portfolio might a young investor who is not afraid of risk choose? Which investment type typically carries the least risk? A young investor with a great level of risk tolerance will discover his profession in an aggressive financing plan. There might be various investment vehicles available for a young who is ready to risk his total funds for the portfolio.  Besides, the various investment instruments include stocks, annuities, certificates of deposit, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, and bonds. Young investors can afford to take risks because they have just started their careers and are not close to their retirement. Even if they lose their invested money, they have time to recover the same and gain in the future with better plans. Overall, it is recommended for young investors to gain some useful marketing knowledge and insights that can help them to invest wisely in the long run.  Which Type Of Portfolio Might A Young Investor Who Is Not Afraid Of Risk Choose? An investor who has sufficient time to recover money in case of a loss can pick an unsafe investment portfolio. In order to increase the potential of high rewards, young investors take risks. Moreover, they know that low risks investments are consist of low investment returns and vice versa. To achieve excellent results soon, young investors switch for high risks investments.  At present, there are various investment opportunities for millennials that they can consider to secure their financial future. The majority of young investors opt for a volatile business environment at present as their blood is hot and they don’t have many family responsibilities.  Which Investment Type Typically Carries The Least Risk? For a young investor, the best type of investment that typically carries low risks is a Saving Account because, in this account, your money completely remains safe. However, the interest that you get from a savings account is also low. Now, let’s discuss some of the top low risks investments for young investors that can give them potential rewards for the long term. 1. Savings Bonds Savings bonds are regarded as the best low risks investment vehicles that can consider in 2021. In this investment, your money is tied up to a certain period of time and after the completion of the same time period, you will get your investment returns.  2. Preferred Stocks Another low risks investment in 2021 is preferred stocks. This is much like lower-grade stocks. The best benefit of this investment vehicle is that you can make regular cash payouts at any time you want. So, if you are searching for which type of portfolio might a young investor who is not afraid of risk choose then this investment can be your suitable choice.  3. Real Estate Investments  Real estate investments can be a better choice for young investors who are afraid to take risks. It is highly advised that risks only that you can afford to lose, especially for millennials. This investment offers opportunities to investors to invest and earn high rewards. 4. Certificate Of Deposit (CD) Certificate of deposit (CD) is also regarded as a low-risk investment vehicle in 2021. However, this investment portfolio is similar to a bond. Thus, investing in this asset can be a better option for young investors who don’t want to take a high risk.  Closing Thoughts I have tried my best to make you understand which type of portfolio might a young investor who is not afraid of risk choose? Now, read the above data in detail and then make a decision to invest. You can also take advice from experts who have years of experience in this investing domain.  Now, if you are satisfied with the above information, then don't forget to "Subscribe Our Newsletter" More Resources: Make Your Savings Goals Come True with Gold Why Off-Plan Investment Is Beneficial For Expats Pros and Cons of Oil and Gas Investment

READ MOREDetails
Financial Services Copywriting Help You With?

What Can Financial Services Copywriting Help You With?

Content creation can be quite challenging. It is because each business has its own needs, and it’s important to tailor the messaging accordingly. However, financial sectors are a bit tricky, and the writers are required to make the topics simple and digestible. You can find out more about this industry when click this URL. Topics that are quite complex should be accurate but interesting. And, of course, they should optimize everything while being mindful of the brand’s audience and voice. Fortunately, you can get started with landing pages, blog posts, website content, marketing emails, sales copy, and white papers. Here are some of the things that you need to know about. Gearing The Content Towards A More Targeted Audience Every reader has a completely different way of consuming content. It is as if you’re attempting to write universally; everything is going to be generalized and uninteresting. What makes sense to the managers of a Fortune 500 company may not have any impact on the investors. They (investors) are just exploring various investments for the first time. Have a highly targeted audience and know the problems that they are dealing with, their goals, hopes, dreams, concerns, and fears. They might want to save up for their child’s college fund, grasp concepts regarding ETFs, or be better at budgeting. Whichever is the case, you need to be able to write something compelling that provides value for years to come. Tailored For SEO Search engines like Bing or Google are playing a critical role in the success of many businesses today. They can help you rank higher and ensure that you have content that’s easy to read. They are going to effectively push down the readers toward your funnel. The writers from a legitimate financial services copywriting agency can help you utilize white spaces. They help you create engaging headlines, optimize your title tags, and make your pages easily scannable. Quit Being Humble Nowadays, you need to tell others what makes you unique and special. If you have existing financial stats, utilize them and ensure that people know that you’re an expert in something. Shout them at the top of your lungs and display them on your current emails, website, or existing copies. Highlight the number of assets that you have and your sales through the years. Also, highlight the big names that have partnered with you, and the client returns. Let everyone know that they can trust you with their finances, time, and other resources. It would be best if you have case studies on the subject and you have given lectures about proprietary software. They are essentially a game-changer in the marketplace. Strangers and other potential buyers often demand social proof, and if you can get reviews from previous clients, be proud to display them. Tell your audience about what makes you the best, and get ready to be seen by the right people. Elements That Are Effective In Copywriting Understand your audience, and this should be the first thing that you need to do. Identify what they need and tailor your offers accordingly. They should be able to resonate with your messaging so you can have a good chance of cutting through the noise. Another important element is tone since financial services often deal with complex topics. Strike the right balance between professional and approachable, and you’ll want to convey expertise while also making sure your content is accessible and engaging for readers of varying levels of financial knowledge. Call-to-action can also be an added element where you tell your audience what you want them to do next, whether it's signing up for a newsletter, scheduling a consultation, or exploring more products or services on your website. A clear and compelling CTA can significantly increase conversion rates. Effective financial services copywriting combines understanding the target audience, using an appropriate tone that resonates with readers, and including strong CTAs that drive action. Mastering these elements in your copywriting efforts can help you on your way to achieving success in promoting your financial business. Read info about CTA on this webpage: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/call-to-action. Finding A Talented Expert Define Your Needs: Be accurate and specific on the topics that you want to require and research the assistance that these companies can provide. You can then narrow down your options by checking the skills of the copywriter and their expertise in the specific niche that you want. Relevant Experience should be a Preference: Previous works and portfolios of the experts will matter. They should be able to provide you with compelling content that’s related to finance. Those with case studies should also be prioritized so you’ll know that you have a higher chance of achieving success. Check References and Testimonials: Don't hesitate to ask for references from past clients or colleagues who have worked with the copywriter before. Testimonials can provide valuable insights into their professionalism, reliability, and quality of work. Assess their Writing Style: Each copywriter has a unique writing style, so make sure it aligns with your brand's tone and voice. Request a sample or test assignment to evaluate how well they adapt to different styles and communicate complex financial concepts. Additional: How To Get A Trusted SEO Company In 2023? Why Is An SEO Services Company Better Than Others? How To Get More Traffic For Your Small Business With Affordable SEO

READ MOREDetails
Property Tax Lien

What You Need to Know Before Buying Property with a Tax Lien

You find the house of your dreams but are told by the realtor that the home comes with a property tax lien. Do you give up on that house and find one that doesn’t have a lien? Even though friends and family might suggest you move on, it's better to have a deeper understanding of property tax liens before making a decision. What Is a Property Tax Lien? When homeowners have a financial setback, they often have problems making their mortgage payments. In many cases, they are also unable to pay their property taxes. When a homeowner doesn’t pay property taxes, their property becomes tax delinquent. A property tax lien prevents this property from being sold or refinanced. Depending upon the state they live in, after a certain period of time, the municipality can repossess, seize, and foreclose on the property. When this happens, the town or county that is owed the taxes issues a property-tax lien certificate against the property. The lien includes the owed taxes, penalties, and interest. Once there is a foreclosure, this certificate is then made available for sale, usually in an auction. There are two types of sales based on unpaid property taxes. Tax Deed Sale: A tax deed is a legal document that transfers property ownership from the homeowner who didn't pay the taxes and the municipal governmental entity owed the taxes. In turn, the government then has the authority to sell the property, collect the owed taxes, and transfer ownership to the purchaser. In this case, the property is sold at auction and includes unpaid taxes. Buying a foreclosed property gives you complete ownership of the property. The price may start low but is often driven up by competing bidders. Once the property is purchased by the highest bidder, it is owned clear and free of all mortgages and liens against it. Tax Lien Sale: In this type of sale, the lien is auctioned off to the highest bidder. It includes the interest incurred. If the liens are not paid, the new owner can foreclose on the property. Many states will utilize a tax lien sale in an attempt to get their unpaid taxes from the homeowner. They usually come with high penalty fees. The process and time period associated with tax lien sales depends upon the state where the property is located. Homeowners whose property is sold in a tax lien sale are given a period of time— a redemption period—to pay their taxes plus interest to the holder of the lien. The owner of the lien may not end up owning the property should the homeowner pay back the taxes plus interest. However, there is an opportunity to make money from the accrued interest. Interest rates vary by state, for example: In Florida, the maximum interest rate is 18 percent with a guaranteed minimum of 5 percent on liens redeemed early. The Mississippi tax lien rate is 18 percent—1.5 percent per month—and must be repaid in two years. Iowa’s interest rate is on the lower side, at 2 percent. The interest rates and sales process are structured by local jurisdictions and are also dependent upon the auction. Be sure to check with the municipality before making decisions. Because of low interest rates and the volatile stock market, many people are looking for other ways to get a return on their investment. With more than$14 billion in unpaid property taxes, purchasing properties with liens, for some, is a viable investment opportunity. It is important to understand what you are buying before you make an offer. When you purchase a tax lien certificate, you are not attaining ownership of a piece of property. You are purchasing the lien on the property. The delinquent homeowner still owns the property. When you buy a tax deed, you take ownership of the property in its entirety. Read Also: Property Investment Success Stories 6 Tips On How To Pay Off Your Tax Debt Investing In Property Is Investing In Your Future A Quick Guide To The Legal Steps Of Buying A House Why Off-Plan Investment Is Beneficial For Expats 5 Easy Estate Planning Tips To Help You Plan For The Future

READ MOREDetails