How small swipes lead to big credit card bills

SHORT-TERM FIXES OFTEN LEAD TO LONG-TERM STRESS

- BY JUSTIN GEORGE VARGHESE

Even if you’re careful with spending, you may have noticed your credit card balance creeping up lately — and it’s not always because of big purchases.

In the UAE, many residents will likely find that when everyday spending on groceries, fuel, bills, or school fees leaves less breathing room in their monthly budgets, there is often an uptick in their credit card bills.

And when there’s a shortfall, the gap is often filled with a few card swipes here and there — until those charges snowball into something bigger. If you’re wondering why this happens even in a stable economy, here’s what you need to know.

Adding up over time