Credit matters because it's the key to accessing funding, housing, cars, and opportunities-while saving you money through lower interest rates and better terms. It's your financial reputation.

The best way to use a credit card is like a debit card-only spend what you can afford to pay back immediately, and treat it as a tool to build credit, not debt.

Yes, but choose a secured credit card or one designed for rebuilding credit-using it responsibly can help you improve your score over time.

A good credit mix means having a variety of credit types-like credit cards, installment loans (auto, student, mortgage)-to show lenders you can manage different kinds of debt responsibly.