Whether you’ve used a credit card for years, or are considering getting your first, credit, credit scores, and credit usage are topics our bankers receive a lot of questions about. In this roundup, we’ve collected answers to some of those questions to help you use your credit confidently.

What Is Credit, and Why Do You Need It?

“Lenders, like banks and credit unions, extend credit to consumers through tools like credit cards and loans for homes, automobiles, higher education, and more. The better your credit, the more likely you are to be able to take out loans when you need them.”

Beauty and the Credit Card: Don’t Let Your Credit Card Become the Beast

“Paying your credit card bill multiple times a month, or whenever you make a purchase, is key to a good credit card history. This avoids any potential late fees and the possibility of a balance rollover with a large interest accrual.”

Use Your Credit to Your Advantage

“A good credit record does more than just make future credit approval easier (although, that’s a big part of it). Lenders also use your credit record to determine credit limits and what rates to charge. Ultimately, a good credit record will save you money.”

How Can One Number Have All That Power?

“The first step is to see where you stand. Don’t let the fact that you’re not applying for a mortgage right this second deter you from thinking about your credit score. You’ll have to face it sooner than you think.”

Now that you know the importance of on-time payments, make sure you have a solid plan for keeping track of those credit card bills.