Credit Cards & Loans

Why have one?

  • Credit cards are great if used well; if used badly they can hurt you
  • Different types of credit cards can help cut debt; spread the cost of a purchase; get rewards or are good abroad
  • The right card depends on how it will be used
  • How you manage your credit card will impact your ability to get credit in the future
See our full guide

Credit card guides

Reward credit cards

Repaying in full can make or save you $100s a year.

Balance transfer cards

These provide long interest-free periods to help pay off debt.

Credit building cards

If you have a poor credit score, these cards can help.

Do you travel abroad? Or pay frequently in a foreign currency?

A specialist travel credit card can offer you excellent exchange rates and minimize, even remove fees charged by other credit cards.

Read our guide

Loans – what you need to know

A loan means borrowing money and paying it back (including interest) in fixed monthly payments over an agreed time.

As loans are a form of debt, avoid borrowing unless absolutely necessary. A loan should be budgeted so that you can be sure to afford it. Ideally minimize the amount that you borrow and repay it as quickly as you possibly can.

If you can’t, then don’t borrow.

Purchasing a car

Financing a car

A Car or Auto loan enables you to slowly build up ownership in the car. Once paid off, the car is yours.

Leasing a car

You pay a deposit and get to use the car for an agreed period of time. At the end of the contract, you return the car.

Essential information

It’s important you understand how cents+change works and the constraints of this site. This is a journalistic website that aims to provide a guide on different aspects of finances. We can’t promise to be 100% accurate, so note that you use the information on this site at your risk. We can’t accept liability if things go wrong.

Information found on this site does not constitute financial advice. You must do your own research to determine if it’s right for your specific circumstances.

We do not and cannot recommend specific financial products. We may provide examples of products or companies, but always do your own research. Speak with a financial advisor to understand whether a product is right for you.

Note that providers often change the price and terms related to their products. So whilst we aim to provide accurate information, check or speak with a provider to get the latest deals.

We provide links to other websites, but we cannot be responsible for their content.