Understanding billed finance charges on your 28 Degrees credit card is crucial for responsible credit card usage. These charges represent the cost of borrowing money when you carry a balance on your card after the due date. Here’s a breakdown of how they work and how to minimize them.
What are Finance Charges? Finance charges are essentially interest payments you make to the credit card issuer for the outstanding balance you haven’t paid off by the due date. 28 Degrees, like most credit cards, calculates these charges daily based on your average daily balance. This means the longer you carry a balance, and the higher the balance, the more you’ll accrue in finance charges.
How is the Average Daily Balance Calculated? The average daily balance is determined by adding up the outstanding balance for each day of your billing cycle and then dividing that sum by the number of days in the cycle. This calculation incorporates purchases, payments, and any other credits or debits to your account. So, making partial payments throughout the month, even if you don’t pay the full statement balance, can lower your average daily balance and subsequently reduce the finance charges.
Interest Rates and Their Impact: 28 Degrees applies an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) to your average daily balance to calculate the finance charge. The APR can vary based on your creditworthiness at the time of application and can be different for purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers. Paying close attention to your APR is important because a higher APR translates to higher finance charges. The 28 Degrees website and your monthly statement will clearly display your applicable APRs.
Avoiding Finance Charges: The best way to avoid finance charges altogether is to pay your statement balance in full by the due date each month. This effectively utilizes the credit card’s grace period, which is the period between the statement date and the due date, during which no interest is charged on new purchases. If you can’t pay the full amount, aim to pay as much as possible to minimize the accruing interest. Setting up automatic payments for at least the minimum amount due can also help you avoid late fees and potential negative impacts on your credit score.
Understanding Your Statement: Your 28 Degrees credit card statement provides a detailed breakdown of your finance charges. It will show the beginning balance, any purchases or cash advances, payments you made, the average daily balance, the APR, and the total finance charges for the billing cycle. Scrutinizing this information helps you understand where your money is going and allows you to make informed decisions about your spending and repayment habits.
In conclusion, understanding the mechanics of billed finance charges with your 28 Degrees card empowers you to manage your credit effectively. By prioritizing full and timely payments, you can avoid unnecessary interest expenses and maximize the benefits of using a credit card.