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Credit cards have become a crucial part of your daily lives, allowing you to make purchases with ease and convenience. However, you must be keen to know how does credit card interest work, as it can significantly impact your financial health. In this article, you’ll take a closer look at the workings of credit card interest and how it affects your balance.
What is Credit Card Interest?
Credit card interest is the fee charged by the card issuer when you carry a balance from month to month. It is essentially the cost of borrowing money from a credit card company. Interest is simply expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR) and can vary depending on the card and your credit score.
SoFi experts state, “Taking a finer look at your credit card amount and interest rate can help you determine the best way to repay it.”
How is Credit Card Interest Calculated?
Credit card interest is calculated based on the average daily balance of your account. This means that the issuer will take the balance at the end of each day and divide it by the no. of days in the billing cycle.
The resulting number is then multiplied by the daily interest rate, which is calculated by dividing the APR by 365. This process is repeated each day of the billing cycle to determine the monthly interest charged.
Factors that Affect Credit Card Interest
The amount of credit card interest you are charged can vary depending on several factors. The most significant factor is your credit score. If you have a high credit score, you are considered a low-risk borrower and are likely to receive a lower interest rate.
Conversely, if you have a low credit score, you are considered a high-risk borrower and will likely receive a higher interest rate.
The type of card you have can also affect the interest rate. For example, rewards cards typically have higher interest rates than basic cards, as they offer more benefits to the cardholder.
Additionally, the issuer may offer promotional rates, such as a 0% APR for the first year, which can significantly benefit those who can pay off their balance within that timeframe.
How to Minimize Credit Card Interest
If you want to minimize the amount of interest you pay on your credit card balance, you can use a few strategies. First, you can pay off your balance in full each month.
This will prevent any interest from accruing, as you need to carry a balance from month to month. If you cannot pay off your balance in full, you can try to pay more than the minimum payment each month. This will reduce the average daily balance and lower your interest.
Another strategy is to look for a card with a lower interest rate. This may involve shopping around and comparing different offers, as well as working to improve your credit score.
Finally, you can consider a balance transfer to a card with a lower interest rate. This involves transferring your balance from one card to another, usually with a promotional rate lower than your current interest rate.
Credit card interest can be a high cost for those who carry a balance from month to month. Understanding how credit card interest works and the factors that can affect it is essential for managing your finances effectively. By paying off your balance in full each month or using strategies to minimize interest charges, you can ensure that your credit card works for you rather than against you.
