Credit is a wonderful tool that has allowed many people to achieve goals that they might not have otherwise been able to achieve, such as buying a home or paying for higher education. However, credit has also been the downfall of many other people who have not used credit wisely. Understanding both the positive and negative aspects of credit will help you to be wise as you pursue your financial goals.

Recalling the dangers of credit card debt, one individual sadly said the following, "The credit card is one of the most destructive financial instruments in the history of the world" (Bryan Sudweeks).

If credit card debt gets out of control, it can cause not only financial troubles, but personal heartache as well. President Gordon B. Hinckley said:

Debt can be a terrible thing. It is so easy to incur and so difficult to repay. Borrowed money is had only at a price, and that price can be burdensome. (“Thou Shalt Not Covet,” Ensign, Mar. 1990, 4)

 

This section focuses on the following four objectives to help you better understand credit reports and credit cards:

1. Learn about credit bureaus, credit reports, and credit scoring.
2. Identify appropriate uses for credit cards and explain how they can help you achieve your financial goals.
3. Learn how to manage credit cards and open credit.
4. Learn how credit cards work and describe the costs involved.