Credit Cards

A credit card is a payment tool that can make spending you were already going to do slightly cheaper, if you pay the statement in full. It is not free money, a status object, or a reason to spend more.

If you carry high interest balances, read the order of operations and good debt, bad debt, and necessary debt first. Rewards do not outrun interest.

What is in this section

• Credit Fundamentals. How cards, interest, limits, and credit scores actually work.
• Your First Cards. Picking a first card and deciding how many you need.
• Optimize for Your Lifestyle. Building a card setup around what you already spend money on.
• Travel Cards. Travel rewards as a niche tool, not a lifestyle.