How to Read a Credit Card Statement

A guide on understanding your credit card statement, covering everything from billing cycles to interest charges. It’s an essential resource for anyone looking to effectively manage their finances, ensuring timely payments, and maintaining a healthy credit score. In this informative video, we delve into understanding how to read a credit card statement, a crucial skill for anyone aiming to enhance their financial literacy.

The Basics
Your credit card statement is a summary of all the transactions you’ve made using your credit card during a specific billing cycle. It’s usually sent to you once a month, either by mail or electronically. It’s essential to review your statement each month to ensure that there are no unauthorized charges or errors.

Statement Period and Billing Cycle
At the top of your statement, you’ll usually find the account number and the statement period, or billing cycle. The statement period is the specific time frame that the statement covers, usually a 30-day period. Keep track of your billing cycle so that you know when to expect your statement and when your payment is due.

Payment Information
Next, you’ll find the payment information section. This is where you’ll see:

1. The total balance: This is the total amount you owe on your credit card as of the statement date.
2. The minimum payment: This is the smallest amount you can pay by the due date to avoid late fees and keep your account in good standing.
3. The payment due date: This is the date by which you need to make your payment to avoid late fees and possible damage to your credit score.

Remember, it’s always best to pay off your entire balance each month to avoid paying interest. If you can’t pay the entire balance, at least pay the minimum payment to avoid late fees and negative impacts on your credit score.

Account Summary
Your account summary is where you’ll find a snapshot of your account activity during the billing cycle. This section will show you:

Previous balance: The total amount you owed at the end of your last billing cycle.
Payments and credits: Any payments you made or credits you received during the billing cycle.
Purchases: The total amount of new purchases you made during the billing cycle.
Fees and interest: Any fees or interest charges that were added to your account during the billing cycle.
New balance: This is your total balance, including all transactions, fees, and interest from the current billing cycle.

Transaction Details
The transaction details section is where you’ll find a list of all the transactions you made during the billing cycle. This includes purchases, balance transfers, cash advances, and any fees or interest charges. Review this section carefully to ensure that all transactions are accurate and report any discrepancies or unauthorized charges to your credit card issuer immediately.

Interest Charges
The interest charges section will break down any interest you were charged during the billing cycle. It’s essential to understand how your credit card issuer calculates interest so you can minimize these charges. Remember, the best way to avoid paying interest is to pay off your entire balance each month.

Reward Points or Cash Back
It’s not shown here, but if your credit card offers reward points or cash back, you’ll find a summary of your rewards in this section. Keep track of your rewards to ensure you’re getting the most out of your credit card’s benefits.

Important Messages and Account changes
Lastly, be sure to read the important messages and account changes sections, as they may contain information about changes to your account terms, fees, or interest rates.

Remember, staying on top of your credit card activity is essential for maintaining healthy financial habits and protecting your credit score. So be sure to review your statement each month and pay off your balance in full whenever possible.

Lesson Resource

How to Read a Credit Card Statement Lesson – Teaching lesson plan for this lesson.