A statement balance is the total amount you owe on your credit card at the end of your billing cycle. It is the total of all the purchases you made during that billing cycle, minus any payments you made during that time. Your statement balance is usually due on or before the due date listed on your bill.
If you pay your statement balance in full by the due date, you will not be charged any interest. However, if you only pay a portion of your statement balance, you will be charged interest on the remaining balance. The interest rate charged on credit card balances can be high, so it is important to pay your statement balance in full as often as possible.
Your statement balance is also used to calculate your credit utilization ratio. Your credit utilization ratio is the percentage of your available credit that you are currently using. A low credit utilization ratio is considered to be a good thing, as it shows that you are not overextending yourself financially.
To find your statement balance, you can look at your credit card statement or online account. You can also call your credit card issuer and ask them for your statement balance.
Here are some tips for managing your credit card statement balance:
- Pay your statement balance in full by the due date each month to avoid interest charges.
- Keep your credit utilization ratio low by only charging what you can afford to pay off each month.
- Monitor your credit card statement for any unauthorized charges and report them to your credit card issuer immediately.
By following these tips, you can help to improve your credit score and build a strong financial future.