1. 2.4.1.G1 Take Charge of Credit Cards “Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances” Introductory Level Objective: To identify the purpose of a credit card and define common credit card terminology.

2. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 2 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona What is Interest? Interest is the price of money When referring to credit, interest is the charge for borrowing money

3. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 3 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona What is Credit? BorrowerLenderBorrower Gives borrower credit if they believe money will be paid back Pays back money PLUS interest to lender Receives goods, services, or money Requests credit from lender Credit- something is received in exchange for a promise to pay back money in the future

4. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 4 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona What is a Credit Card? Plastic card that holds pre-approved credit Credit Limit- maximum amount of money that can be charged on the card Purchase items now Pay later

5. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 5 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona Credit Card Payments Minimum Payment- minimum amount of a credit card bill that must be paid every month Pay total amount owed OR Make smaller payments- equal or unequal What do you think is the best payment option?

6. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 6 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona Credit Card Interest ChargedEach month the amount of money owed is not paid in full Known asAnnual percentage rate (APR)- interest rate charged on a credit card The lower the APR the better for cardholder! 10% APR 15% APR

7. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 7 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona statistic U.S. households that had credit card debt owed an average of $15,788.

8. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 8 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona What if only the minimum payment is made every month? Melissa and Skylar each purchased a plane ticket for $500 using their credit cards that charge 15% APR Melissa-Skylar- PaymentPaid the full amount owed- $500 Paid the minimum payment due- $20 Time to pay off credit card1 month3 years Total amount of interest paid$0$104 Total amount paid$500$604 If a credit card is paid in full every month, no interest is paid!

9. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 9 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona What is the difference between credit cards and debit cards? Debit Card - plastic card that is electronically connected to an account that holds cardholder’s money Credit CardDebit Card Connected to an account that holds cardholder’s money Money is immediately taken out of an account Not connected to an account Money is borrowed and paid back later

10. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 10 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona How do you get a credit card? 1.2. Examine credit card offers Displays main costs of a potential credit card Complete an application

11. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 11 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona Getting a Credit Card- Restrictions Must be at least 21 years old If someone agrees to be a co-signer on an account, they are equally responsible for the loan UNLESS Show proof of sufficient income Have a co-signer

12. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 12 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona What are the advantages and disadvantages to using a credit card? Convenient Useful for emergencies Often required to hold a reservation Purchase expensive items earlier Possibility of receiving bonuses, such as frequent flyer miles and cash rebates Paying interest if balance is kept on card Additional fees may apply if card is not used properly Tempting to overspend Responsible for lost/stolen cards Risk of identity theft AdvantagesDisadvantages

13. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 13 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona Responsible Credit Card Use DoDon’t Pay amount charged in full every month Pay payments on time Keep track of charges by keeping receipts Check monthly credit card statement for errors Make late payments Pay only the minimum payment due Go over the credit limit Charge items that can’t be paid off within the month

14. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 14 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona What happens when a credit card is used irresponsibly? Late Payment Fee Over-the-Limit Fee Penalty APR Charged when minimum payment is not made by due date Charged if the amount of transactions goes over credit limit Higher interest rate charged on new transactions

15. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 15 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona statistics 92% of credit cards charge a fee for exceeding the credit limit with the average fee being $39. Credit card holders pay about $20.5 billion in credit card penalty fees every year.

16. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 16 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona What is a Credit Card Statement? Purpose Includes Why is it important to examine a credit card statement? Summarizes important information from previous month Transactions made Amount owed Minimum payment Payment due date (date minimum payment is due)

17. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 17 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona Credit Card Safety Tips Immediately reporting a lost or stolen credit card reduces the cardholder’s liability for any possible fraudulent purchases Lost or stolen card should be reported immediately to the credit card company Keep a list of all cards, account numbers, and phone numbers separate from cards Shred any credit card offers received Check credit card statements for false charges; report any false charges immediately

18. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 18 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona Credit Card Safety Tips It is important to keep credit cards and credit card information secure to avoid someone else making charges If a credit card is closed, notify the company in writing and by phone, then cut up card Sign back of card with signature and “Please See I.D.” Never give out a card number unless making purchases Do not leave cards lying around

19. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 19 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona Summary What is a credit card?How can you avoid paying interest on a credit card? What is the difference between a credit card and a debit card? Plastic card that holds pre-approved credit Used for the purchase of items now and payment of them later Pay the credit card balance in full every month! Debit card- money is taken from the cardholder’s account Credit card- money is borrowed and paid back later

20. 2.4.1.G1 © Family Economics & Financial Education – November 2010– Get Ready to Take Charge of Your Finances – Take Charge of Credit Cards – Slide 20 Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona Remember…. If a credit card is used properly it can offer many benefits Important to keep credit cards and credit card information secure Use a credit card responsibly! Only charge items when there is no doubt about ability to pay off the charges