Why do I need a credit card?

We believe most people should have a credit card. It’s simply the easiest way to add positive information to your major credit reports on an ongoing basis. That, in turn, will help you build credit history and improve your credit standing. And credit improvement can save you a ton of money on loans and lines of credit as well as open doors to opportunities such as a new job or apartment.

Actually using your credit card to make purchases is another story, though. Whether that’s a good idea depends on if doing so will cause you to spend more than you would otherwise.

If it won’t lead to bad habits, you’ll be able to take advantage of a credit card’s many other benefits. They range from the ability to earn rewards on everyday spending or pay for big-ticket purchases over time to assorted travel perks and the convenience of shopping online.

And if a credit card would lead to overspending, you can still benefit from its credit-building capabilities. As long as you make sure to pay any fees that are assessed, you can simply lock your card in a drawer and watch positive information flow into your credit report on a monthly basis. After all, your credit utilization will be zero and you’ll be classified as having paid on time.