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    Credit card jargon buster

    APR, representative, minimum payment — the words that matter, in plain English.

    By the Happy Wallets team·Updated June 2026·4 min read

    The terms worth knowing

    • APR: the yearly cost of borrowing, including interest and some fees.
    • Representative APR: the rate at least 51% of accepted applicants get.
    • Minimum payment: the least you must pay each month to stay in good standing.
    • Credit limit: the most you can borrow on the card.
    • Cash advance: withdrawing cash, usually at a higher rate.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why is my rate higher than the representative APR?+
    Lenders only have to give the representative rate to just over half of accepted applicants; yours depends on your circumstances.
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