5: Credit Card Confidential: How They Really Work and How to Win the Game

Damien is back with another episode of Your Money on Easy Mode, your go-to podcast for no-nonsense financial advice that puts your money on cruise control. In this week's headline story, we get an eye-opening look at the realities of surviving on just Social Security in retirement. Damien reads a profile of Eric Miller, a 70-year old former chef forced into early retirement by health issues. Eric now lives on $1400 a month from Social Security, renting a room in his sister's basement just to scrape by. His story illustrates the harsh truth - for many seniors, Social Security alone doesn't provide anything close to a comfortable retirement. Don't let this happen to you. Start saving and investing now so you can retire on your terms. The main segment tackles a listener question on credit card use. Like many people, Eden grew up thinking credit cards were bad news. But now she's questioning that assumption. Damien sets her straight, breaking down exactly how credit cards work and his rules for using them responsibly. You'll learn what happens behind the scenes when you make a purchase, key dates in the credit card payment cycle, how to maximize rewards while avoiding interest, and Damien's "Four Commandments" that ensure you master the credit card game instead of falling prey to it. If you use credit cards the right way, they can make your financial life much easier. We wrap with a PSA on how to make sure you always get the best price on purchases from major retailers like Walmart and BestBuy. If an item you bought gets marked down shortly after your purchase, you can often get a refund for the difference thanks to price protection policies. Damien shows you how to take full advantage.