CREDIT
Credit and Credit Cards Lessons and Worksheets
Our Credit section also offers a variety of teaching resources. These resources include lesson plans, worksheets, educational videos, informational articles, and more.
Our lesson plans and worksheets are designed to help educators teach their students about credit and financial responsibility. These resources are customizable and can be used in a classroom setting or for independent study.
Our educational videos offer a dynamic way to learn about credit, featuring engaging animations and clear explanations of complex concepts. And our informational articles provide in-depth analysis and expert insights on all aspects of credit.
No matter your learning style or educational needs, the Credit section of Money Instructor has a wealth of resources to help you master the fundamentals of credit and manage your finances with confidence.
Also, see our spending money category for more consumer related material.
Understanding Credit and Credit Cards
Credit cards, like loans, allow you to build up a credit history. This may help you with credit related activity such as getting a student loan, car loans, renting an apartment, or buying a house. Credit cards are also convenient since they provide a reduced need to carry cash or checks, and provide security in case of an emergency.
However, credit cards are not for everyone, and if you have one you need to act responsibly. You need to be able to afford a credit card, and also need to try to pay off the balance each month. The over-use of credit cards has been a major reason why so many individuals have too much debt, and why bankruptcy rates are high.
Consumers are bombarded with offers from credit card companies, offering various incentives and interest rate options. For those that fall into the credit trap, being in debt seems almost forever. Meanwhile, high interest charges and late payment fees eat up most of their available money. Many credit card holders do not even know how much they are paying in interest, and what impact it has on their overall financial well-being.
Use the following lessons to help teach and learn credit card basics:
Credit Lessons and Worksheets
WHAT IS CREDIT VIDEO LESSON
What is a Credit? Basics of Credit
This lesson explains what credit is and how it works, including the types of credit available and how to obtain it. It also emphasizes the importance of using credit responsibly and paying bills on time to maintain good credit standing and secure better interest rates and terms.
What is Credit Score? Beginner's Guide to Credit
This lesson explains credit scores, a number that represents your creditworthiness to lenders, in an easy to understand way. Understanding your credit score is crucial for managing your finances, whether you’re just starting to build credit or have been doing so for a while. Students will understand the importance of credit scores and learn how to manage their finances to improve their credit score, and the importance of monitoring their credit report.
Building and Maintaining Credit
This introductory lesson teaches important tips on how to build credit by using credit cards and loans responsibly, how to maintain good credit by making payments on time and keeping credit utilization low, and how to monitor credit reports to ensure accuracy.
INTRODUCTION TO CREDIT CARDS
A worksheet introducing students to credit cards, credit, and paying interest.
WHAT IS A CREDIT CARD VIDEO LESSON
A video lesson introducing students to credit cards, how you get it, and advantages and costs.
CREDIT CARDS AND HOW THEY WORK
Credit Cards and How They Work
Students learn how credit cards work. Learn about the concept of credit, and how you are charged for using a credit card. Also information on debit cards.
CASH VERSE CREDIT
An introduction to the concept of using cash verse using credit cards. Students learn why credit cards may be good or bad, depending on how they are used.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CREDIT CARD
Choosing the Right Credit Card
Students learn important criteria for choosing a credit card and the importance of using credit wisely.
APPLYING FOR A CREDIT CARD
How to Apply for a Credit Card
In a lesson on obtaining their first credit card, students are educated about the importance of identifying their card needs—whether for building credit, earning rewards, or emergency use. They are introduced to the nuances of various card types, from secured to student and rewards cards, each with its benefits and fees. Essential application details such as Social Security Number, employment, and income are discussed, along with the ease of online application. Emphasis is placed on grasping the credit limit, APR, and the importance of settling balances promptly to avoid hefty interest charges. Ultimately, the lesson underscores the significance of responsible credit card use for long-term financial health.
CREDIT CARD STATEMENT
Reading a Credit Card Statement
An introduction to reading a credit card statement. Learn to read and identify the important items on a monthly credit card statement.
How to Read a Credit Card Statement
Students will learn to understand their credit card statements, using a comprehensive guide that covers various aspects such as billing cycles and interest charges. They will acquire skills to manage their finances efficiently, ensuring timely payments and maintaining a favorable credit score.
Credit Card Statement - Incorrect Transactions
Advanced practice reading and correcting a monthly credit card account statement. Students must identify and correct their monthly statement.
CREDIT CARD INTEREST
APR Explained | How Credit Card Interest Works Lesson
A lesson for students on how APR (Annual Percentage Rate) influences credit card interest, its compounding effects, and strategies for smart credit card use. They dive deep into understanding the true price of borrowing money on a credit card and how interest accumulates. They grasp the difference between an annual percentage and the compounding effect of daily periodic rates. Students also discover terms like “introductory APR” and “balance transfer APR,” understanding their role in financial decisions. Additionally, the lesson emphasizes the importance of paying off the full balance each month, highlighting the benefits of credit cards when used responsibly, such as cashback, rewards, and building credit history.
Compound Interest Trap of Credit Cards and Loans Lesson
In this lesson, students explore the complex world of credit card interest debt, unveiling how compound interest, while beneficial for growing investments, can escalate credit card debts. Key terms like Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and compounding frequency are introduced, illustrating how frequent compounding by credit card issuers can quickly amplify debts, especially with minimal repayments. The lesson stresses the importance of timely repayment of high-interest debts and prudent evaluation of interest rates and compounding frequencies when considering loans or credit card agreements, aiming to empower students with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions and avoid the snare of mounting debts.
DEBIT CARDS
A lesson on banking basics and the essentials of debit cards and how they compare to credit cards, including how they function, their benefits and drawbacks, and tips for wise usage. Students learn how to manage their debit card use responsibly. We’ll also discuss the potential drawbacks, such as vulnerability to theft and its inability to help build your credit history.
Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards Lesson
This lesson educates students on the differences between credit and debit cards, detailing how debit cards help manage spending by using existing funds, while credit cards offer opportunities to build credit and earn rewards, if managed well. It also covers the enhanced security features of credit cards, particularly beneficial for travel, and provides tips on selecting the right card based on individual financial behavior and objectives.
ADDITIONAL LESSONS - BORROWING MONEY
Borrowing Money: Remember the Interest
Students learn about the reasons and responsibilities of borrowing money.
Sources of Credit: It Is In Your Interest?
Students learn about sources of credit and calculating interest rates.
Your Credit Score
Students learn about credit scores.
Consumer Credit Legislation
Students learn about consumer credit legislation.
ADDITIONAL LESSONS - CREDIT AND CREDIT CARDS
I was playing Wordle and this happens
Video lesson starter. Here is a fun class or lesson starter for the TikTok and YouTube generation of students on the topics of money and saving and having too much debt, especially credit card debt.
Credit Cards: More Than Plastic
Students learn about credit cards.
Credit Cards: Shopping Online
Students learn about online shopping with credit cards.
Students learn about consumer fraud.
Beware! Identity Theft
Students learn about identity theft.
Credit Reports – You Thought Your Report Card Was Important
Students complete an activity sheet and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using credit. Students read a scenario about a young person's use of a credit card and answer some questions regarding repayment. Students learn about credit history, credit reports and credit-reporting agencies.
Creditors’ Criteria and Borrowers’ Rights and Responsibilities
Students discuss key terms related to credit and learn how creditors use capacity, character and collateral as criteria for making loans. Students learn about credit rights and responsibilities. Groups use role-play scenarios in order to identify and discuss the rights and responsibilities of using credit.
So How Much Are You Really Paying for that Loan?
Students learn what a payday loan is and the high cost involved in using such a loan. Working in groups, students calculate an annual percentage rate (APR) on a short-term loan.
To Rent-to-Own or not to Rent-to-Own?
Students review the elements of a contract. They discuss the characteristics of rent-to-own contracts and compare the cost of those contracts with the outright purchase of goods.
INFORMATIONAL ARTICLES ON CREDIT CARDS AND CREDIT
Using Credit Cards
Advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards.
Using Credit Wisely
Learn why we have such poor credit habits, and what we can do to use credit wisely.
Federal Protections for Credit Card Users
Understand your Federal protections for consumer credit card holders.
What's your Credit Score?
Understand your credit score for applying and qualifying for a mortgage loan.
More on Credit Cards, Consumer Credit, and Debt Management
Informational resources on using credit cards wisely, credit repair, reducing credit card debt, basics on understanding credit reports, tips, advice, and help for managing debt, debt consolidation, student loans, understanding bankruptcy, how to consolidate credit, and more.
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