Kredittkort – A significant number of individuals are under the impression that debit cards and credit cards are the same. Because each of them looks alike, it’s easy to believe this too. Each of them has your name and surname, an expiration date, a microchip, or a magnetic strip. Both cards can be used in retail stores, including traditional business and e-commerce websites.  

Nevertheless, there is a major distinction between the two. That’s the source of the money present to them. Here’s how they work. Debit cards are easier to explain. All of the money that you receive in your account is everything that you can spend. There is a restriction that you can only withdraw only the amount of money that is currently available.  

A credit card, on the other side, gives you the ability to go far over your budget. You start using the bank’s money when you’re over the limit. Since they have a lot of it, you can go far overboard and complete a large purchase immediately. 

The catch here is that you’ll be responsible for paying back the money, as well as additional interest. Generally, people tend to max out their first credit card because they think they have unlimited money. If it’s your first time managing loans, debt, interest, and the like, it’s better to stick to debit because credit payments can lead you to financial ruin.  

Additionally, it’s safe to assume that you’ve used both types of cards in the same way. When you go out to get groceries, you probably give the first card that’s closest to being pulled out. That might not be the best way to approach shopping since there are cards that offer cash back for every retail purchase. 

Using these pieces of plastic is risk-free and straightforward since there aren’t any alternatives that can compete with them. Bitcoin and other types of crypto coins have the potential to alter the current financial system, but the whole space has a lot to cover before overtaking the banking sector. Read on to find some pointers that could assist you in determining whether to use debit or credit based on your individual needs.  

Primary distinctions 

Banks aren’t the only financial institutions that can issue out credit cards. In most first-world countries, there are unions and retail stores that do the same. All of these establishments have a different code of conduct, and the terms and conditions to which you agree vary considerably. 

Because of this, it’s not a good idea to take as many cards as possible when you go shopping. Let’s say that you go to your favorite clothing store, and they offer you a card that requires you to top up some money and then use it to get discounts in all of the chains of the store. Even though this sounds good at first, the discounts are use as a marketing gimmick designed to make their products appear more attractive than they really are.  

The maintenance costs of those kinds of cards are much higher than the projected earnings and discounts you’re going to get. Furthermore, the real problems start when you exceed the limit on the card. If you have a few, make sure to cancel them to stop your wallet drainage. If you go overboard, you’re not only responsible for the agreed-upon sum. In accordance with the guidelines you signed, you will also obligated to make additional payments of interest.  

The interest rates on cards are incredibly high. When you figure them out, you’ll wonder why anyone is still using them. Rates start at a mind-blowing 12 percent, and they can go all the way up to 20 percent. In the long run, that’s a massive number to return back to the lender. If you go on a shopping spree and spend an extra thousand bucks, you’re going to have to return 1200. That’s not worth it, no matter the type of discount you get. Getting travel points and cashback is just a ploy to include a rewards program to make it seem like a good deal.  

Regular rewards cards 

This is the best option for pretty much everyone that’s not an overspender. Receiving cashback with every purchase is an incredible incentive to make you think twice about your spending habits. Most financial institutions offer anywhere between half a percent, all the way up to five percent of your retail shopping. 

Since you’re already spending the money, you can put it to work and use it as an investment for the future. A few dollars here and there will pile up fast, especially if you’re investing in stocks or cryptocurrencies which have the potential to blow up massively. 

Since these markets are incredibly risky, entering them without any expectations is a great way to get introduced to them. You’ll learn about the volatility and the risk levels, which can make you an outstanding investor down the line.  

Next on the list with air miles. You can extend your holiday plane trips by one mile for every dollar you spend. Airport services are offering fantastic deals these days. Whenever you spend money on your card, you can get a couple of miles for the dollar. 

The miles increase quickly, and you can finance an exotic trip for free in less than a year. Imagine how it’s going to feel if you could go to Bali without spending a dime on the travel costs. The procedure is really straightforward. But before you apply for the program, you must familiarize yourself with the rules.  

The benefits 

The main benefit of using credit cards and going slightly into debt, and repaying it immediately is your credit score. Everything that you do with your money gets recorded in a ledger or a spreadsheet. Depending on your behavior and spending habits, the report on you could either be positive or negative. 

If you’re prompt when it comes to paying bills and other payments, the number is going to increase. If you wait until the final date or become late with the payments, that’s going to b recorded too. When you apply for financial help like personal loans, mortgages, or car loans, the banks fund a background check before having a conversation with you. 

If the check is positive, it will show them you’re a responsible citizen that follows all the rules. That’s going to impact the interest rate you get, as well as the timeframe for repaying the loans. As long as you are compliant with the requirements you’ve signed, the benefits will keep rolling. 

Additionally, you can check your report once a year for free, as well as schedule a consultation to realize what the indicators are showing about where to improve. This will provide you with the opportunity to track your development over the course of several years.  

The next benefit is protection against fraudulent activity. This is a feature that a lot of people don’t take into consideration. In the aspect of security, the difference between debit and credit is clear, like night and day. In the odd chance that you lose your credit card or it gets stolen, the most you could lose is close to fifty dollars. That’s because there are multiple layers of security and ways to cancel the payments.  

However, debt is a completely different situation. If you report it in the first two days, the same level of protection will apply. If you miss the time frame, then the limit of your losses increases to 500 bucks. Even worse, after two months, the spending limit becomes infinite, and criminals can use it to the absolute maximum. Contesting illegal transactions is much easier to do when you’re using credit. Debit refunds are only doable if the shops where you’ve been given their permission. Banks make all of their money from interest, which is why they’re so focused on crafting the best possible product. Anything that digresses from their plan gets basic levels of operation and is purposefully marketed as the worse choice.  

The downsides 

There are always drawbacks that go with the benefits. Even the best food in the world is not good for you if you eat excess amounts. When it comes to financing, your credit score will be the first thing that suffers if you’re chronically late with payments. 

Don’t become the person who waits for the last day to pay a bill. The repercussions are severe, and you will feel them in your pocket. One of the most effective ways to prevent this from happening is to set up alerts on your smartphone. 

A lot of people hit the snooze button on their alarms or notifications but try to become the type of person who does everything in one go. Pick a day in the month when you feel most comfortable going out and finish all of your duties. Call up a friend and do it together. That’s going to be a great way to hang out together and be responsible at the same time.  

Spending too much money can lead you to debt. Make sure to check your account balance before entering a store, so you have a general idea of how much to spend. Don’t let the banks win and charge you interest and fees. 

The expenses might devastate you, especially if you’re not use to reading the notifications inside your banking app. Finally, when it comes to picking the right option, it all depends on the type of person you are. Being responsible qualifies you for credit, and being unable to stop yourself from spending coincides with debit.  

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