Do Credit Cards Make Everything More Expensive?

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You're probably aware that if you don't pay off your credit cards on time every month, you'll accrue interest on your purchases. And those interest charges could add up over time, thereby costing you money and making whatever items you purchased more expensive.

But that's not the only way credit cards might cost you money. Consumers routinely pay extra for goods due to none other than widespread credit card usage.

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The sneaky way credit cards make everything cost more

Credit card companies are in the business of making money. And they do so not just by collecting interest on carried balances and imposing late fees, but also, charging processing fees.

Processing fees are generally paid by businesses directly. When you swipe a credit card, the merchant in question is charged a percentage of your purchase to have it processed.