Credit Cards

How to choose, use, and build credit with the right card, whether you are starting out or rebuilding.

Do credit card rewards actually pay? Run the numbers A 2% card on $2,000 a month earns $480 a year. Carrying a balance for one month at 24% APR costs $40, exactly one month of those rewards. Here is the math. Teja Pagidimarri · August 5, 2026 · 5 min read

Is a balance transfer worth it? Run these numbers first A balance transfer is worth it when the interest avoided beats the fee. See a worked $6,000 example saving $923, plus when the maths stops working. Teja Pagidimarri · August 4, 2026 · 5 min read

How credit card interest works, and what the minimum payment really costs Pay in full and a card costs nothing. Carry a balance and the minimum payment stretches $5,000 at 24% APR into 19 years and $8,887 of interest. Here is the math. Teja Pagidimarri · August 4, 2026 · 6 min read

Secured vs unsecured credit cards: which one you actually need A secured card is backed by a refundable deposit and builds credit the same way, if it reports to all three bureaus. Here is what to check before applying. Teja Pagidimarri · August 4, 2026 · 5 min read