Can a Credit Card Improve Your Credit Score?

Make purchases using cash instead of credit

Most people tend to make large purchases using credit cards in the hopes of paying off the amount over a period of time. While this might seem like a feasible option, it can have a detrimental effect on your CIBIL score if repayments are not made in a timely fashion.

For example, Karan, a software engineer, recently acquired a credit card from his local bank. While his financial position was fairly stable, with no debt attached to his name, he decided to use his credit card to purchase airline tickets worth Rs 70,000 for a holiday to Scandinavia. However, his trip incurred expenses that went beyond his planned budget and ate heavily into his savings, forcing him to use his credit card once more to finance parts of his holiday. He eventually returned home saddled with a credit card debt of over a lakh and very little left to pay it off. Things turned sour quickly and he found he wasn’t earning enough to cover his monthly expenses as well as the repayments towards the card. Over time, he approached various banks seeking a loan, but was rejected due to the negative impact his credit card debt had on his CIBIL score.

Keeping this situation in mind, it is always advisable to budget responsibly and use cash to make purchases wherever possible in order to minimise the risk of being weighed down by a maxed out credit card. Doing this will keep your card usage at a minimum and help build a credit history of sound money management.

4 Tips for Millennials to Use Credit Cards Responsibly

As a parent, it is important that you teach your children, especially teens the importance of having a fair understanding about personal finance. From budgeting their allowances to controlling their spending habits, there is only so much you can guide your kids about. Teaching your teenage kids the importance of having and using a credit card is equally important. It is also important to educate them about the importance of having a high credit score. Therefore, it is your responsibility to teach your children about how to use a credit card responsibly.

Here are some important tips that will help you in educating your children about using credit card:

• Teach them the basics: Start with the basics and educate your children about credit cards, credit limit, interest charges, paying debt and so on. It is important that you explain all these terms to them in detail. Tell them about the importance of a credit score and how their credit card usage will affect it positively as well as negatively. Your children should also be aware of the factors that will bring their credit score down. Make sure to teach them the importance of paying off all the credit card bills on time. Explain to them about various interest, charges and fees related to late payment of bills. All the above basics will give your children a detailed idea about do's and don't of using a credit card.
• Lead by example: You should always practice what you preach. Therefore, in order to teach your children the best habits related to credit card usage, it is better that you follow them after all, kids lead my example. Be a role model for your children by practising the ideal credit behaviour. In addition to teaching your children credit about good credit card habits, the process will also lead you to a high credit score.
• Allow them to use the credit card: After explaining them about the basics of credit card, it is time to actually let them use it. The right time to give credit cards to your children differs from person to person. You can either take an add on credit card on your existing credit card or even give them a new credit card. Ideally, they should use the card responsibly and it is better that you monitor their usage, at least initially. When they know that you are keeping an eye on their usage, they will take efforts to use the credit card carefully.
• Set certain ground rules: Finally, once your children have a credit card, it is important to set certain ground rules. It is better to give them a set of conditions that they have to follow at the time of using the credit card. You can clearly list the scenarios where the credit card can be used. Also, be clear and strict about the monthly spending limit on the card. Ask them how they plan to repay the bills and that you will review the statement together at least for first few months. Finally, let them know that there will be consequences for violating the rules about credit card usage.

Use your credit card to regularly pay bills

Using your credit card to regularly pay your internet bills, phone bills or utility bills like water and electricity, can help build a positive credit history and improve your CIBIL score. Since these expenses tend to be much lower compared to purchasing material goods, the debt they incur on your credit card can be paid off quickly or within a short span of time.

Make repayments a habit

Even if you cannot pay off the entire amount you owe on your credit card, you should still strive to make the minimum repayments on or before the scheduled due date. This will show lenders that you don’t have a habit of reneging on payments and can be a good credit risk in the long run. Keep in mind however, paying off as much of your credit card debt as soon as possible can increase your CIBIL score within no time.

Although this is easier said than done, all it takes is a bit of willpower and smart credit card management to keep your financial status in the pink of health.

A good credit score can help you secure lower interest rates on loans and credit cards.

Get Free Credit Score