Category Interest & Finance Charges

Many people assume cash advances and regular credit card purchases are treated the same way—just different ways of spending money. In reality, they are priced and processed under completely different interest rules, which is why cash advances become expensive so…

Credit card cash advances are one of the most expensive ways to borrow money, yet many people don’t realize how costly they are until after the charges appear. What looks like a simple withdrawal often triggers multiple layers of fees…

Many people focus on fees—late fees, annual fees, balance transfer fees—because they are visible and painful. But over time, interest usually costs far more than fees, even when fees feel worse in the moment. Understanding how interest and fees differ…

Paying only the minimum payment on a credit card may feel manageable in the short term, but it’s one of the most expensive ways to carry debt. Many people don’t realize how interest, APR changes, and payment allocation work together…

If your credit card minimum payment suddenly went up, even though you didn’t feel like you spent more, it can be alarming. Many people assume minimum payments are fixed or predictable, but in reality, they change based on several moving…

Balance transfers are often marketed as a way to save money on interest, but they can also increase interest charges if the rules aren’t fully understood. Many people are surprised to see interest appear even after transferring a balance to…

If your credit card statement suddenly shows higher interest charges, even though your spending habits didn’t change much, you’re not imagining things. Credit card interest can increase for several timing-based and rule-based reasons that aren’t obvious from the balance alone.…

A penalty APR is one of the most expensive interest rates a credit card issuer can apply. Many people first notice it after missing a payment and are shocked to see their APR jump dramatically. Understanding what triggers a penalty…

Credit card interest is not calculated monthly the way many people assume. Instead, most issuers calculate interest daily, based on your balance each day. This is why small timing differences—when you pay, when charges post, and when statements close—can noticeably…

Seeing interest charged on new credit card purchases surprises many people, especially when they believe they usually pay on time. In most cases, this happens because the grace period is inactive, not because of an error. Understanding when interest starts…