Decoding What Is APR Credit Card: Your Credit Card Cost Companion
Credit cards are handy, especially when you need to make a purchase and don’t have the cash on hand. But they come with a catch, which is interest. That’s where APR comes in.
What Does APR Mean on a Credit Card
You may ask, “What is APR on a credit card?” APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, and it’s basically the interest rate you’ll be charged on your unpaid balance over a year. You might think, “It’s just a small percentage,” but it can add up quickly. You may wonder, “how does credit card APR work?” Well, here’s an easy explanation. Let’s say you buy a new laptop for $1,000, and you only pay the minimum each month. If your APR is high, you’ll end up paying way more than $1,000 in the long run.
The amount you pay is dependent on the type of credit card you have. Some cards have variable rates, meaning the APR can change based on the prime rate, while others have fixed rates.
What Is a Good APR on a Credit Card: How APR Impacts Your Wallet
The higher your APR, the more interest you’ll pay. It’s that simple. If you carry a balance from month to month, that interest will compound, which means you’ll be charged interest on the interest. This can create a debt spiral that makes it harder to pay off your balance.
You might believe, “I’ll pay it off next month,” but life happens, and unexpected expenses can make it difficult. That is why it is good to have a card with a lower rate.
Strategies to Minimize APR Costs
There are ways to minimize the impact of APR. First, pay your balance in full each month. This way, you avoid paying any interest at all. Second, look for cards with lower introductory APRs. Utilize sites like Credit Karma and Experian to research the best credit cards with low APRs. However, be aware that the rate will increase after the introductory period ends.
You can also utilize balance transfers to move high interest balances to cards with lower promotional rates. However, it is important to note that these transfers usually incur a fee.
Why Finding a Lower APR Matters
A lower APR can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your credit card. You might think, “A few percentage points don’t matter,” but they do. Consider that a $5,000 balance on a card with a 15% APR will accrue significantly less interest than the same balance on a card with a 25% APR. You can use those savings for other things, such as paying down other debts or saving for a rainy day.
It is essential to shop around for the best rates and terms before applying for a credit card. This is so that you can avoid an undesirable situation.
Understanding APR Credit Card Variations
It is important to understand the different types of APR associated with credit cards. Purchase APR is the rate you pay on regular purchases. Cash Advance APR is the rate you pay on cash advances, and it is frequently higher than the purchase rate. Penalty APR is a much higher rate that can be applied if you make a late payment.
Understanding these variations will help you avoid costly mistakes. For example, a cash advance from your card is going to cost you more in fees and interest than a regular purchase.
How to Calculate APR on Credit Card
It’s helpful to understand how APR is calculated. The APR is an annualized rate, so the monthly interest rate is the APR divided by 12. You can use this to estimate how much interest you’ll pay on your balance each month.
In summary, when comparing credit cards, don’t just look at the APR. Consider other factors, such as annual fees, rewards programs, and grace periods. It is important to evaluate the total cost of the card and not just the interest rate.
Need help with repaying your credit card’s APR? Contact the team at PDS today.
