Published on: 15 April 2023
Last Updated on: 09 February 2026
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
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
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.
Your health is an essential preference in your life. You want to be sure you are happy, healthy, and able to do whatever you want throughout your day. Sometimes, this may require visiting a specialist or seeing certain doctors to be sure you are under the best health insurance covers.
If you've been experiencing back pain, headaches, or neck pain, you may need chiropractic care. These specific doctors deal with disorders of the musculoskeletal system and help you recover from many different things.
Whether you have general back pain, are recovering from a sports injury, or just need somebody’s adjustments, a visit to chiropractic care may help with that. Seeking specific medical care can sometimes be a stressful experience, especially if you are worried about the cost. When you are under good health insurance covers, you do not need to worry about the cost of the treatment in medical care.
4 Things To Understand Your Health Insurance Coverage
You know your health insurance covers regular checkups and doctor's visits of that nature, but how can you be sure if you're covered for a chiropractic treatment plan? Start by checking with your insurance company and looking for specific practitioners. There are ways to check your health coverage and figure out how you're going to pay for your chiropractic care.
Here are four things to understand your health insurance nature.
1. Research The Most Comprehensive Health Care Plans
It all starts with picking out the right health care plan. You can compare plans online and see the complete layout of each option. Find a health insurance coverage plan that fits your lifestyle and will benefit your overall health.
You can research different providers, what your premiums include, and how you can customize your coverage. While many health plans are provided by your employer, you can still pick and chose some of the human services you need. Or, if it's your first time on the health insurance marketplace, you can use online tools to explore health insurance options. That's the best way to compare prices and coverages to get an insurance plan that will include the chiropractic care you need.
2. Look For Providers In Your Network
If you are unfamiliar with how health insurance plans work, you need to know about in-network and out-of-network providers. When you go to a specialist that is in your healthcare network, you will usually have all or most of those costs health insurance covers. As you are looking for a chiropractic office, start by checking in with your insurance website to find the specialists that belong under your health insurance coverages.
For example, residents of Governor's Park, CO, have a great office nearby, so when they search for"chiropractor Lone Tree, CO," they won't be disappointed. These providers offer everything you need for your family care, from chiropractor appointments to massage therapy, acupuncture, and even physical therapy. Help your overall wellness with these services.
3.Ask For Referrals From Your Doctor
Are you confused about what chiropractors are considered in-network? Luckily, most primary doctors can easily access that information. When you speak to your family doctor, mention that you've been considering chiropractic services. They can then direct you to a local location that will be covered by your insurance.
In fact, many chiropractic offices need a referral before they can start on your treatment plan. The referral simply lets them know your unique needs from the perspective of another medical professional. Always check with your health insurance covers first. The insurance company will let you know if this is a custom orthotics and chiropractor practice that's covered by your insurance plan.
4. Check If You Have Full Or Partial Coverage
While your health insurance plan may cover some chiropractic adjustments, you need to be sure to read the fine print. There may be exclusions or specifications you need to pay attention to. Be aware that your health insurance covers may not pay for the entire treatment, and you may have some out-of-pocket costs, even if you are covered.
Conclusion
The health insurance covers and the plans are prime checking factors before you are availing the services from the popular health insurances. These fours are the best way to analyze the nature of your health insurance plannings and facilities. Most of the insurances are covering all medical costs, but connections are significant. If you do not check the connection medical facility, you may lose the facility your insurance company is offering you.
Read Also:
How to Choose the Best Merchant Account for Your Burgeoning Insurance
Small Business Guide to Private Health Insurance Exchanges
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unforeseen hardships to a lot of entrepreneurs in Malaysia who launched their enterprises in the last couple of years. No one could have estimated the amount of damage to the economy the pandemic would cause or the length of time it would take to recover. The sign of a government loan is like fresh air in the business world, which swift away all your investment-related headaches.
However, there are government loans that you can apply for to help ensure your business survives and has a chance to prosper once the coronavirus has been conquered.
3 Tips For Applying For The Government Loans
The government loans strategy is more robust and well revised. You may be thinking of applying for the loan, but your business is not a big one. You think the government is not willing to lend money to your business. But it is possible.
Here are three easy tips for applying for a government loan.
1. Promoting The Small And Medium Enterprises
These government loan schemes are targeted to help the most financially vulnerable businesses, which are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are typically started by well-intentioned but underfunded people who want to put their particular skill-set to use. They might be launched with only a few employees.
Still, by careful management and conservation of their assets, they can grow to make a significant contribution to the state of Malaysia’s economy. The government loan schemes target businesses applying for lower loan totals than a giant corporation would need.
With the world beginning to see the value in micro-finance and recognize the healthy input of small businesses on a country's economy, the Malaysian government felt that with the effects of the pandemic likely to last for some time, it was the perfect time to offer these loans to the public. The small and the medium enterprises will need significantly less money as the loan, but the success chance is more.
2. Apply Through Existing Financial Institutions
To receive your working capital loan, you apply through an existing financial institution. These are not loans per se but rather government-backed loan guarantees under the Working Capital Guarantee Scheme (WCGS).
You receive the loan through the institution and pay them back directly. The government insures the institution against default. The financial institutes are taking a short period, but as you are now dealing with them, your debt payments period will rise.
Even if you’ve been turned down for a loan by the financial institution because you didn’t qualify under their terms, you can reapply under the terms of the WCGS government loan schemes. Government loans require more guarantees and the assurance of return. When you are applying through the existing financial institute, the process will take a small period for sanctioning.
3. Six Types Of WCGS
The diversity among the business is always present. Therefore, your proposal business planning everything can be different. There are six types of WCGS applying to different people and different kinds of business models. These schemes offer differing amounts of loans as well, so you should choose the scheme to apply for that meets your financial needs.
They each have different qualifications, and you need to read the qualifications of each loan scheme and choose the best one for your situation and business.
WCGS is a loan scheme that offers from 100,000 to 10 million Ringgit.
WCGS-SU is a loan scheme targeting startups that offer from 50,000 to 500,000 Ringgit.
WCGS-B is a loan scheme targeting Bumiputeras that offers from 100,000 to 3 million Ringgit.
WCGS-X is a loan scheme targeting export companies. It offers loans of from 100,000 to 10 million Ringgit.
WCGS-W is a loan scheme targeting Woman-owned businesses. It offers loans of from 100,000 to 1 million Ringgit.
ADGS is a loan scheme targeting companies that engage in automation and digital products and services. It offers from 100,000 to 10 million Ringgit.
To find out more about these government loan scheme’s qualifications, inquire about WCGS schemes with the financial institution that handles your banking.
Conclusion:
Applying for a government loan is making all your hard work easy. Usually, government loans have a low-interest level. The time limit is also going to be more stable. If you follow these tips, you can easily apply for a government loan and start your journey in a more relaxed way.
Read Also:
Benefits of NBFC Business Loans
What Are the Alternatives for Small Business Startup Loans?
Many people already know that mutual funds and stocks can be excellent sources of income and present great opportunities for investment. When it comes to monetary assets that give outstanding dividends, then the concepts of stocks and mutual funds are quite easy to understand and they have the potential of maximizing your earnings.
Both stocks or funds are now known to be some of the most popular investment vehicles that many investors are interested in. This article discusses mutual funds vs stocks.
Mutual Funds Versus Stocks
It’s worth noting that stocks refer to the physical representation of part of a company’s value that can be traded on the stock market. Therefore, when a company decides to go public and issues its shares, it means the combined value of the shares either owned by persons or the company is what makes the total value of that company.
As a result, being a shareholder means you own a small part of the company and you can take part in all the annual shareholder meetings.
On the other hand, mutual funds are made of a pool of funds gathered from several investors to buy securities, such as stocks, bonds, and other assets. Simply put, mutual funds refer to a collection of bonds and stocks that fund managers manage. Hence, if it's a debt mutual fund, then it can have government bonds and securities, while an equity mutual fund can have stocks.
Ideally, an investment in mutual funds is a type of investment in bonds and stocks that is managed by an investment firm. Direct investment in stocks is considered to be an active type of investment that involves you handling the buying and selling of the products yourself.
For a new investor, perhaps it’s a good idea to choose mutual funds as it allows the experts to handle the investment on your behalf. Direct investment in a share is great for people who understand the market and can manage it themselves.
Key Differences Between Mutual Funds And Stocks
Keep in mind that shares are usually offered to the public as a business growth strategy for companies while mutual funds are just an investment for people. Because mutual funds are a portfolio of stocks belonging to a company and managed by a fund manager, it means you cannot control the trade of stocks. Also, you cannot decide to exit from some of the stocks that are in the portfolio.
As explained earlier, with mutual funds, an investor is not involved directly in the management of a portfolio except when it’s the time to choose the fund. This is the reason why it makes sense for new investors to opt for mutual funds, especially those who know little about the stock market.
Direct investment in shares needs a good knowledge of the company's performances and the stock market. No doubt, it’s a hands-on activity that needs quick market decisions and is suitable for experienced stock traders.
Read Also:
Why Off-Plan Investment Is Beneficial For Expats
Mistakes that Expats Make when they Move Overseas
6 Steps to make Your Trade Show a Success