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.
There are two distinct stakeholders in every market, we have the traders and the investors. These two sets of people have one thing in common, they both want to make a profit however they approach the market differently.
If you are reading this article you are probably interested in the market but, you are a little bit dazed about either deciding on trading or investing. It's time to cheer up friends, don't be disturbed anymore, your questions would be clarified after reading this article.
This article would share the necessary information you require to make your decision; trading or investing. Let's get started.
What is trading?
Trading is a financial activity carried out to earn a profit from short-term fluctuations in the market.
Trading involves buying and selling financial instruments; stocks, currencies, commodities, and derivatives to make profits from their price movements within short periods.
What is investing?
Investing is a long-term financial activity where investors buy a financial instrument; for example, stocks that can yield returns in the long run.
Unlike trading, investing requires creating a variety of portfolios of assets and keeping them through every stage of the market till the period they wish or project to take their returns.
Unlike trading which is reliant on price movements for returns, investing grants numerous benefits such as bonuses, dividends, buybacks, stock splits, and more.
The similarities between trading and investing
Trading and investing have a similar objective which is to make a profit. They both offer the possibility of getting rewards.
Trading and investment both hold the possibility of a loss; they both have financial risks.
You need an account/broker to either trade or invest. Without an account, you cannot buy and sell or invest in stocks, ETFs, options, currencies, and others.
The differences between trading and investing
The table below would give you a better understanding of the differences between traders and investing:
CharacteristicsTradingInvestmentRiskHighModerate/LowCapital growthFrom short-term profitAmass gains/wealth overtime while minimizing risksIntentionPurchase assets during the short term and take advantage of mispricing/irregular price movements in the marketBuy investments and hold them for a long period to grow capitalLeverage offeredYesNoAnalysis neededTechnical analysisFundamental analysisCapital gainsMajorly short termBoth short-term and long termPeriod of investment trackingHigh/ConsistentMedium/lessAsset durationSeconds, minutes, a few hoursWeeks, months, years/decadesAssetsStocks, optionsStocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds
Conclusion
When you are about to make a decision; trading or investing, be introspective. Ask yourself and consider how patient you are. Are you knowledgeable about investing or trading? What are your skills or expertise? Can you manage risks? Or do you prefer to play safe?
Based on these questions and your strengths or weaknesses you can think about, you can now decide which; trading or investing is best for you.
Remember, trading is more susceptible to financial risk because it is a short-term activity while investing is long-term and less susceptible to financial risk. Trading and investing are not profitable though trading can be a way to earn quick profits while investing wins come in the long run but with fewer losses than trading. You can find your perfect binary options broker as a trader or investor today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I. Do traders earn more than investors?
We can not authoritatively say that a trader is earning more than an investor vis-a-vis.
Traders and investors both have the potential to profit. But they both have to make the right and smart decisions otherwise they would lose money.
II. What types of trading can I engage with?
There are four types of trading; day trading, position trading, swing trading, and scalp trading.
Day trading:
Positions are held during the day alone.
Position trading:
Positions are held for months to decades.
Swing trading:
Positions are held within days to weeks.
Scalp trading:
Positions are held within seconds to minutes. Scalp trading is usually operated during the day alone.
III. What types of investing can I engage with?
Some of the types of investing you can engage in are index investing, active investing, passive investing, value investing, market cap-based investing and growth investing.
Read Also:
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Ever since Bitcoin first emerged on the scene, it has been able to polarize opinions, make millionaires overnight, and create secure Blockchain technology. It has also managed to make the world leaders stand up and take notice, obstruct and demonize a democratic and open call for mass equality.
The earliest investors in Bitcoin became billionaires in no time. They went from being your average kids to billionaires and millionaires driving supercars and buying villas in downtown LA. However, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies came under severe criticisms. From funding terrorists and notorious arms deals to sex trafficking and other evils, world leaders left no stone unturned in opposing the biggest challenge to the global economic and financial order ever.
In this article, we will not be looking at the philosophical aspects of Bitcoin or its impacts. We will be looking at how investing in Bitcoins can help you earn handsomely and make the practice a sustainable professional practice.
Bitcoin Trading and Investing: Which Platforms to work on?
If you are confused about why you will need a Bitcoin Trading Platform, let me clear the air on that one. A bitcoin trading and investing platform work in exactly the same fashion as a share or stock platform. The platform helps you with real-time calculations, suggestions, data and financial expert services at all times.
All of the above factors help you make the right informed decision at all times. This minimizes the risk of losses that are the frequent complaints of many a Bitcoin investor. We need to acknowledge the fact that Bitcoin trading has seen its fair share of difficulties. To help you tide over such uncertainties, you need a financial expert that can guide you with the right kind of information.
Imagine a situation where you had bought some Bitcoins in early 2018. I am sure all of you remember the depths to which the valuation fell in late 2018. 90% of people who owned Bitcoins sold them and exited their investments. However, the people who bought them at those crashed prices held on to them and saw their value increase to nearly $10000 USD in October 2019.
Why should I use the Profit Revolution?
There is no doubt that the Profit Revolution is one of the most attractive trading platforms in the digital currency world today. Let us look at some of the factors that make them an immediate choice-
1. The Human Factor (24x7 Financial Expert Consultation):
One of the best features of the Profit Revolution platform is the Expert Financial Help on offer 24x7. You can talk to an expert at a time of your convenience from anywhere in the world. Automation is good, but if you have a human element guiding you at all steps of your journey, you definitely feel more reassured.
2. Data and Automation to drive Decision Making:
The biggest financial institutions and stockbroking firms use sophisticated AI and Machine Learning to compute data and inform decision-making. Profit Revolution uses the same tech and helps you see how the markets at behaving at all times. They also show projections, trends and offer suggestions on which stocks you should be moving on.
3. Instant Monetization Benefits:
Yes, there are other platforms as well. However, the worst criticism of them is that they have several hindrances when it comes to withdrawing funds. On Profit Revolution, you can withdraw the funds instantly from your linked Bank Account. It is as simple as that. No time stipulations, no minimum balance maintenance, and no extra paperwork.
Conclusion:
If you are looking to invest in Bitcoins, you should check out the Profit Revolution platform. It is easy, convenient and offers complete security at all times. 2019 is perhaps the right time to invest in Bitcoins. Several experts are of the view that the valuation is likely to hit $15000 in early 2020. What are you waiting for?
Read Also:
Bitcoin Profit Review 2019
What To Expect When You Become A Forex Trader
Exciting Facts About Cryptocurrency And Crypto Wallets
Managed funds are a popular choice among investors who want to grow their wealth while minimizing the time and effort they need to spend on investment decisions. With a managed fund, you entrust your money to a professional investment manager, who is responsible for investing your money in a portfolio of assets, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate, to generate returns.
However, with so many managed funds to choose from, how do you select a great one? Here are some tips to help you choose a managed fund that is right for you.
Consider your investment goals
The first step in choosing a managed fund is to identify your investment goals. Are you saving for a down payment on a home, retirement, or another major purchase? How much risk are you willing to take on to achieve your goals? Do you need your investment to generate regular income, or are you comfortable with a long-term investment? Answering these questions will help you determine which type of managed fund is best for you.
Check the investment management company's track record
The investment management company behind the managed fund is just as important as the fund itself. A well-established investment management company with a long history of success and a solid track record is a good sign that the managed fund is well-run and has a good chance of generating returns. Before investing, research the investment management company and its track record, including its past performance, assets under management, and any regulatory actions or penalties.
Look at the fund's investment strategy
It is essential to understand the investment strategy of the managed fund you are considering. What types of assets does it invest in? What is its investment philosophy, and how does it generate returns? Understanding the fund's investment strategy will give you a better idea of the risks and potential rewards associated with the fund.
Consider the fees
Managed funds charge fees, which can eat into your returns over time. Before investing, review the fee structure of the managed fund and compare it to similar funds. Some managed funds charge a management fee, which covers the cost of running the fund, and others may charge a performance fee, which is based on the returns generated by the fund.
Consider the total cost of the fund, including both the management fee and any performance fees, and make sure you are comfortable with the level of fees before investing.
Review the fund's performance history
Finally, take a close look at the managed fund's performance history. A fund's past performance is not a guarantee of future success, but it can provide insight into how the fund has performed over time. Look at the fund's returns over the past few years and compare them to similar funds. Consider factors such as the fund's volatility, consistency, and risk-adjusted returns.
In conclusion, choosing a great managed fund requires careful consideration of your investment goals, the investment management company's track record, the fund's investment strategy, fees, and performance history. By taking the time to research and understand these factors, you can increase your chances of selecting a managed fund that meets your needs and helps you achieve your investment goals.
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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.
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.
