Personal Finance SIXTH EDITION Chapter Managing Your Credit Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Chapter Objectives 8.1 Provide a background on credit cards 8.2 Explain credit repayment 8.3 Describe how to review the credit card statement 8.4 Explain credit card regulations 8.5 Offer tips on using credit cards 8.6 Explain how managing your credit fits within your financial plan Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Credit Cards (1 of 4) Advantages • No need to carry large amounts of cash • Free financing as long as you pay in full each month • Monthly statement for recordkeeping Disadvantages • Can make purchases that you can’t afford • Allows spending beyond your means • Excessive spending can continue with minimum payments Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Credit Cards (2 of 4) Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Credit Cards (3 of 4) • Applying for a credit card – Personal information Cash inflows Cash outflows Credit history Capital Collateral – Credit check Credit card issuer obtains a credit report Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Credit Cards (4 of 4) – Other information that creditors evaluate Income Existing debt level Current economic conditions Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Characteristics of Credit Cards (1 of 3) • Types of credit cards – Most popular are MasterCard, Visa and American Express MasterCard and Visa allow financing Most American Express cards require payment in full – Retail (or proprietary) credit card: a credit card that is honored by a specific retail establishment Retail stores and gas stations Limits purchases to a single merchant Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Characteristics of Credit Cards (2 of 3) • Credit limit—maximum amount of credit allowed • Overdraft protection—allows purchases beyond credit limit • Annual fee • Incentives to use the card – Prestige cards: credit cards, such as gold or platinum cards, issued by a financial institution to individuals who have an exceptional credit standing Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Characteristics of Credit Cards (3 of 3) • Grace period—period between time of purchase and when payment is due • Interest Rate – Types of interest rates charged on credit cards May be fixed, variable or tiered – Regulations on interest rates – new regulations more favorable to users – Cash advances Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Financial Planning Online (1 of 4) • Go to the Money section of CNN.com and got to the Personal Finance section containing calculators • This Web site provides – Estimates of when you might be debt free – Estimates of your future credit card payments based on interest rates, card balance, and the desired payoff time Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Credit Card Statement (1 of 2) • Statements typically sent at the end of the billing cycle • Lists: – – – – – – – Previous balance Purchases Cash advances Payments Finance charge New balance Minimum payment Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Credit Card Statement (2 of 2) • Always scrutinize statement for errors • Dispute any errors, but pay correct charges in a timely manner • Customer service number and/or dispute instructions included on statement Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Regulation of Credit Cards (1 of 2) • Credit CARD Act – Passed in 2009; contains provisions to protect consumers Conditions for fees Advance notice to change interest rate Promotional interest rate guidelines Payment period Credit limit Disclosure about paying balance due Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Regulation of Credit Cards (2 of 2) Restrictions for cardholders less than age 21 Summary of provisions • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Created in 2010 as part of Financial Reform Act – Goal is to enforce consumer finance laws – Makes sure consumers receive full disclosure of information to help them make financial decisions Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Financial Planning Online (3 of 4) • Go to http://www.ftc.gov • Insert the search term “equal credit opportunity rights” • This Web site provides information about various laws that protect your rights when using credit Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Tips on Using Credit Cards (1 of 5) • • • • • • Use a credit card only if you can cover the bill Impose a tight credit limit Reduce credit limit when the economy weakens Pay credit card bills before investing money Pay off credit card debt before other debt Avoid credit repair services Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Tips on Using Credit Cards (2 of 5) Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Tips on Using Credit Cards (3 of 5) Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Financial Planning Online (4 of 4) • Go to the consumer information section of http://www.ftc.gov • This Web site provides information about establishing, using and protecting credit Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Tips on Using Credit Cards (4 of 5) • Resolving an excessive credit balance – Spend as little as possible – Consider ways to increase income – Borrow from a family member – Get a debt consolidation loan – Sell assets for cash – Reduce everyday expenses Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Tips on Using Credit Cards (5 of 5) – Personal bankruptcy: a plan proposed to the court in which you repay at least a portion of your debt and pay attorney and filing fees Chapter allows the discharge of almost all debts, but also have to surrender assets to pay debt Chapter 13 allows you to keep your assets, but the court takes control of your finances and devises a 3–5 year repayment plan Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved How Credit Management Fits Within Your Financial Plan (1 of 4) • Key credit management decisions for your financial plan are: – What limit should you impose on your credit card? – When should you use credit? Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved How Credit Management Fits Within Your Financial Plan (2 of 4) EXHIBIT 8.5 How Credit Management Fits Within Stephanie Spratt’s Financial Plan GOALS FOR MANAGING CREDIT Set my own limit on credit card purchases to ensure that I will always be able to pay o the credit balance in the same month Set a policy to avoid incurring high interest expenses on credit cards ANALYSIS Monthly Cash Inflows $2,500 - Typical Monthly Expenses (paid by checks) - 1,400 = Amount of Funds Available Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 1,100 How Credit Management Fits Within Your Financial Plan (3 of 4) EXHIBIT 8.5 How Credit Management Fits Within Stephanie Spratt’s Financial Plan Liquid Assets Balance Annualized Interest Rate (%) $100 Checking account balance 800 Money market fund 400 3.0 1,200 4.3 600 20.0 Cash One-month CD Credit card balance Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved How Credit Management Fits Within Your Financial Plan (4 of 4) EXHIBIT 8.5 How Credit Management Fits Within Stephanie Spratt’s Financial Plan DECISIONS Decision on Credit Limit Given that I have $1,100 each month left from my salary after paying typical expenses (by check), I have $1,100 remaining that can be used for credit card purchases if necessary I will impose a maximum limit of $1,100 on my credit card spending As my income rises over time, I may consider increasing my credit limit, but only up to some level that I can afford to pay o immediately when I receive the bill Decision on Paying Off Credit Balances Given the interest rates that I can earn on deposit accounts versus the interest rate I would pay on a credit card balance, I will always pay o my credit card balance, even if I must withdraw funds from my savings account to so Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved ... Offer tips on using credit cards 8.6 Explain how managing your credit fits within your financial plan Copyright © 2017, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Credit Cards (1 of... Rights Reserved How Credit Management Fits Within Your Financial Plan (1 of 4) • Key credit management decisions for your financial plan are: – What limit should you impose on your credit card? –... Rights Reserved Credit Cards (3 of 4) • Applying for a credit card – Personal information Cash inflows Cash outflows Credit history Capital Collateral – Credit check Credit card issuer