Credit refers to buying something now and paying for it later. There are several types of credit available to students including student loans, lines of credit, and credit cards. It is important to understand credit terms like annual percentage rate, minimum payment, and interest rates when using credit. Maintaining good credit involves paying bills on time, keeping credit utilization low, and establishing a history of responsible credit use over time.

1. Elements of Credit

2. What is Credit?
Buying something now and paying for it later.

3. Lending
Imagine you are lending something of value to a friend.
What things would you consider before lending something you own of
value?

4. Know About Credit
• Annual Fee – some cards have no annual fee but others do
• Annual Percentage Rate (APR) – amount paid on outstanding balance
• Balance – amount owing
• Credit Bureau – collects information about consumer credit usage
• Credit line – maximum dollar amount that can be charged on your
card

5. Credit score going up or down?
Score goes up when
a.Debt payments are made on time and in full

6. Types of credit for students
Student loans
Line of credit
Credit cards

7. Cost of Credit

8. Credit worthy
What to consider:
Payment history – do you pay your bills on time
Amount owed to current creditors
Length of credit history
Types of credit used
Number of open accounts

9. Credit Score
Credit worthy is put together in a credit report. The person will get a
score. The score will show how risky it is to lend money to that
individual. Education, race, gender, age, religion etc does not matter
when it comes to getting credit.

10. Credit Cards
Consumer is taking out a loan for the amount of the purchase, and
agreeing to pay the amount back with interest.
Interest is the cost of using credit. Expressed in a percentage.

11. Credit Terms
Annual Fee
The fee you pay per year in order to keep your credit card. Some have
no annual fee, while others carry high fees.
Annual percentage rate (APR)
The percentage charged every year on top of any outstanding
payments (amounts left to pay after the due date)
Cash back/rewards – cash back or travel rewards

12. Interest
Interest is the cost of borrowing.
Interest Rate – the percentage a financial institution charges for the
money lent.
Interest can be a cost & income.
A Cost – if money is borrowed
A Loss – if money is deposited in the bank

13. Terms continued
Balance - the amount owed on the card. If you spend $500 on a card
last month, the balance on your statement will read that you owed
$500.
Minimum Payment – The smallest amount you can pay toward your
credit balance. If your balance is $30 and the minimum payment is
$10, you can pay $10 instead of $30. The remaining $20 you will be
charged interest.

14. Cards
Debit cards – look like a credit card, but
does not extend credit. Money is withdrawn
from your account at the time of purchase.

15. How can I stay out of debt?
Wants – something you would like or desire to have, but it is not
necessary.
- ice cream is a want. You want ice cream but you don’t need it.
You may want a Coach bag, but you don’t need it.
Needs – something you have to have, something you can’t do without.
For example – food, clothing, shelter, health care, water

16. Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
Individuals who are 18 years and older and have a valid insurance
number.
Set money aside tax-free.
A great way to save money.

17. What happens if you do not pay?
• There is no debtor’s prison.
• Credit cards will be discontinued.
• Letters will be sent to encourage payment.
• Credit card companies sell the contracts to a Debt Collector who
receives a commission (percentage of what is collected)
• Credit proposal – agreement to put all the debt amounts together
and a payment schedule set up
• Bankruptcy – this is a legal procedure

18. Credit Fraud
Credit card fraud is an act of theft involving a credit card, and can
happen in several ways, such as losing your card, or getting your card
stolen. Your credit card may then be used to purchase goods and
services without paying by someone other than yourself. It pays to be
vigilant in the use of your credit card.

19. Preventing Credit Fraud
• Guard your social insurance number, PINSs, passwords and account numbers,
and don’t leave them in an unsecure place.
• Keep your table, laptops, call phone, and any other technology device in a safe
and secure place. Do not leave them unattended.
• Do not leave your credit card unattended and avoid sharing your PIN with others.
• When making online purchases, make sure to verify that the website is secure
(look for the “lock” symbol and that the URL begins https://)
• Cover your PIN and take your receipt when using an ATM or debit card machine.
• Use the chip technology for debit and credit cards to reduce your chances of
credit fraud as the microchip is extremely difficult for criminals to duplicate.

20. 3 C’s of Credit
Character – are you honest, reliable to repay the debt based on your
history
Capital – what do you own of value – real estate, personal property,
savings
Capacity – your ability to pay off the debt
Are you working? How much do you earn? Do you have other debts?

21. A Secured Credit Card
This is a credit card that is backed by money you have already
deposited into a linked account. So you are spending your own money,
but building credit.

22. 20/10 Rule of Credit
Keep your total borrowing
(excluding rent) should not exceed
20% of your income.
The amount of interest you pay
per month should not be greater
than 10 of your monthly income.

23. How to Build a Credit History
• Establish a steady work record.
• Pay all bills promptly
• Open a chequing account and don’t bounce cheques
• Open a savings account and make regular deposits
• Apply for a local store credit card and make regular payments.

24. Needs & Wants
“If I Had a Million Dollars” What would you do?
Whenever we make a spending decision, choosing one option affects
whether or not we can make another choice. This is called
“opportunity costs”.
Example: You want a new phone for $200 but you also have a car
payment.
If you buy the phone you have to consider how you will pay the car
payment. Need vs Wants

25. Keep Good Records
• What is the name and contact information for your bank? Credit
union?
• What debts do you have – cell phone, owe your friend
• Stay organized – recognize that it is important to live within your
means