Credit Card Comparison - Economics Name Date ______ Pd ______ ... - Free Printable

Since the worksheet requires you to look up current, real-time data from websites (which changes daily) and find a specific news article from today, I cannot fill in the exact numbers for you. However, I can provide realistic example data based on typical credit card offers so you know exactly what to look for and how to fill out the table. I will also provide a sample news summary to show you how to complete that part of the assignment.

Part 1: Comparison of Credit Cards (Example Data)

Here is how you might fill out the table using three common types of cards. *Note: You should check the websites listed in your worksheet (MasterCard, Visa, etc.) or specific bank sites like Chase or Capital One to get the exact numbers for your homework.*

| Feature | Card 1: Standard Rewards Card (e.g., Chase Sapphire) | Card 2: Low Interest / Balance Transfer Card (e.g., Citi Simplicity) | Card 3: Student / Secured Card (e.g., Discover it Student) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Issued By | Chase Bank | Citibank | Discover Financial |
| Website | chase.com | citi.com | discover.com |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $0 | $0 |
| APR (Interest Rate) | 21.49% - 28.49% Variable | 0% intro for 21 months, then 19.24% - 29.99% | 0% intro for 6 months, then 17.49% - 26.49% |
| Cash Advances | 5% fee (min $10) + 29.99% APR | 5% fee (min $10) + 29.99% APR | 5% fee (min $10) + 29.99% APR |
| Min Finance Charges | $2.00 | $2.00 | $1.00 |
| Balance Transfers | Not recommended (high fee) | 0% intro APR, 5% transfer fee | 0% intro APR, no fee for first year |
| Late Fees | Up to $40 | Up to $40 | Up to $41 |
| Over Limit Fees | $0 (usually declined) | $0 (usually declined) | $0 (usually declined) |
| Teaser/Intro Rate | None standard | 0% APR for 21 months on purchases/transfers | 0% APR for 6 months on purchases |

How to use this:
1. Go to the websites listed in your worksheet.
2. Look for a "Rates and Fees" or "Pricing Information" link (usually at the bottom of the page).
3. Replace my example numbers with the ones you see on the screen.

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Part 2: Current Events Article

Since I cannot browse the live internet for an article published *today*, here is a realistic example of how to write the summary and opinion based on common financial news topics. You can use this format when you find an article on a site like CNN Money, CNBC, or USA Today.

Article Name: *"Credit Card Debt Hits Record High as Interest Rates Rise"* (Hypothetical Example)

Two-Sentence Summary:
Recent reports show that total credit card debt in the US has reached over $1 trillion because many people are using cards to pay for higher prices on food and gas. Banks have also raised interest rates, making it much more expensive for people to pay off their balances slowly.

Two-Sentence Opinion:
This affects me because if I carry a balance on my card instead of paying it off every month, I will end up owing much more money due to the high interest. It teaches me that I need to be careful only to buy things I can afford to pay for immediately with cash.

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Final Answer:
Table Completion Guide:
* Card 1 (Rewards): Look for a card with an annual fee ($95+) and high APR (~21%).
* Card 2 (Low Interest): Look for a card with $0 annual fee and a 0% introductory APR for 12–21 months.
* Card 3 (Student/Basic): Look for a card with $0 annual fee and lower credit limits.

Current Events Section Template:
1. Summary: Identify the main problem (e.g., rising debt) and the cause (e.g., inflation/high rates).
2. Opinion: Connect it to your personal budget (e.g., "I must pay my full balance to avoid extra costs").