Should I get a credit card?
10 quick questions about your spending, bills and savings tell you if a credit card would help you or cost you, with tips for using one well.
💳 Question 1 of 10
When a bill arrives, you usually…
How it works
Answer 10 quick questions about your situation. Each answer nudges the result one way or the other, and some are dealbreakers on their own. You get one of three verdicts, the reasons from your own answers, and practical tips. Everything is worked out in your browser: your answers are never sent to us.
What could the result be?
- ✅ Yes, a credit card could work well for you: Your habits are exactly what a credit card needs. Pay the whole balance every month and a card can build your credit history and earn rewards without costing you any interest.
- 🤔 Maybe, with some ground rules: A credit card could help you, but a few habits could make it expensive. Start with a low limit, set up automatic full payments, and keep using your debit card for everyday spending.
- ⏳ Not right now: A credit card could make things harder at the moment. Stick with a debit card, build up some savings and get on top of any debts first. You can come back to this later.
Tips
- Set up an automatic payment of the full balance every month.
- Keep your balance well below your limit (under 30% is a good rule) to help your credit score.
- Start with a card that has no annual fee.
- Never take out cash on a credit card: fees and interest usually start straight away.
- Compare interest rates (APR) and fees before you apply.