I was afraid of credit cards. Here are 6 things I learned while getting my first one.
Here are 6 things I learned while getting my first credit card.
Madison Hoehn is a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ and editor at Bankrate. She joined the Bankrate team in 2024, bringing over six years of editorial expertise to her work. She’s passionate about making every reader feel seen and meeting them where they are in their financial journey.
Prior to her work at Bankrate, Madison wrote and edited content for BestColleges, specializing in alternative education such as coding bootcamps and trade schools. Her experience also took her to Viident Co., an independent publishing company, where she worked alongside authors to finalize their books for publication.
When she’s not editing for Bankrate, she enjoys yoga, trying her hand at new soup recipes, and writing creatively.
Madison obtained her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Miami University.
Being a first-time homeowner, taking out a loan or starting a new credit line can be intimidating. In today's digital world, you may feel like you have a million different opinions telling you how to handle your finances and you may not know how to cut through the noise.
The key to finding confidence in credit card usage is getting back to the basics. Determining what you value most in your life is a sure way to determine which card will work best for you. In a world with advice coming at you from all sides, it’s important you first become an expert on you.
It’s never too late to start learning how to use credit cards the right way. No matter your credit history, you can always start building confidence in your financial decisions today.
— Madison Hoehn, CFEI
Even if you can use your credit card for online gambling, it probably isn’t a good idea.
While these two credit products are similar, there are key differences.
If your card doesn’t match your needs, consider switching cards with your issuer.
Your credit card’s 15- or 16-digit number helps authenticate transactions.
A balance transfer could be a helpful way to streamline your high-interest debt.
Reach your travel goals by earning and redeeming travel points and miles.
These are the credit cards one writer is packing this summer to save money.
When scissors can’t destroy your metal credit cards, try these methods instead.
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