What is a credit card?
Credit cards are financial tools when properly used.
13 min read
Sep 04, 2024
Meredith Hoffman
Former Reporter, Credit Cards
About the author
Expertise
Credit cards, building credit, credit card industry trends, history of credit and lending
Education
Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in journalism and history from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Highlights
- Over six years of professional writing experience covering breaking news and financial news and advice
- Passionate about making complicated financial topics approachable for all readers
Experience
Meredith Hoffman is a former personal finance writer covering credit card news and advice at CreditCards.com and Bankrate Credit Cards.
Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Meredith received her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Before joining CreditCards.com in October 2019, Meredith worked as the news editor of Wilmington’s local newspaper, The Seahawk.
Meredith is passionate about making credit cards and personal finance more accessible for traditionally underrepresented groups such as women and minorities. She has written feature stories on discriminatory practices such as the pink tax, and has covered important issues like the impact of voting on fiscal policy.
Links:
How your vote can impact fiscal policy | CreditCards.com
New York ban on the pink tax goes into effect | CreditCards.com
Financial policy: what to expect from Biden, Harris | CreditCards.com
What is Equal Pay Day? | CreditCards.com
Meredith's latest articles
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How your grace period lets you avoid paying interest on a credit card
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How to choose a credit card for no credit history
Here’s what you need to know about picking your first card, as well as some great credit card options for those just starting out.
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While it’s possible to put college tuition on a credit card, it’s probably not a smart move.
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Food delivery apps like DoorDash and Grubhub have partnered with card issuers.
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Credit card issuers are able to offer rewards because of the fees they collect.
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Why the Citi Double Cash card is good for first-time card owners
The Double Cash card helped ease me into the credit cards world and earn rewards without putting in too much effort.
3 min read Jan 23, 2024
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How to report credit card fraud
Learn more about how to reduce your chances of experiencing credit card fraud.
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Poll: roughly 3 in 4 say inflation is hurting them financially
Most Americans report paying more for essentials like gas and groceries.
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While the COVID-19 pandemic made contactless payment options more popular than ever, consumers have grown to love using touch-free payment options.
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The differences between these Visa credit card tiers lie in the extra benefits.
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Nearly every step of the home buying and selling process has begun integrating high-tech tools.
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