FAQ
What does “fiscal” mean?
Fiscal is a term that refers to financial stuff. Financial means “of or relating to finance” – basically money management.
So CreditCardio wants to help you kick butt with all things money. Because, as a great man once said, “it’s all about the Benjamins,” whatwhat.
Umm, this doesn’t actually seem very fun. What gives?
What?! You mean you do not find taking quizzes that may or may not involve exponents and algebra entirely riveting?!
Alright, alright. No, it’s not particularly super-fun right now. Although, c’mon, that headband on our logo is pretty sweet, right?
Honestly, though, next we want to gamify this experience so that you can earn points redeemable for real live Dwollas and other stuff that, for even those unmoved by our verve and pluck, can legitimately be considered actual fun.
Why do you make me sit through a tutorial if I don’t get a perfect score?
First off, our hearts are broken that you don’t find the tutorial totally worthy of a Golden Globe.
But really, we want you to know what’s going on behind the scenes of consumer finance products like credit cards and loans, so that you don’t feel intimidated by the process. We want you to feel empowered to ask your lending institutions difficult questions and confident navigating the world of credit.
If we’re afraid of something, we can often avoid it, and that can result in ignoring bills in the mail or not asking questions at closing that we really want to ask but won’t because we’re afraid of looking “stupid.”
You are the Rico Suave of finance. You are the Richard Simmons of personal loans. You don’t know what either of those references mean because in comparison, we are old as dirt and you are the fresh-faced future of the US and A.
When I get a question wrong, why can’t you just tell me right then and there?
If you’ve ever taken an online adaptive test like the GMAT or the GRE, you may have found yourself trying to answer question #19 and thinking, “Dag, son, I think I screwed up question #11.” The energy your brain is using to stress out about question #11 is called cognitive load, and it’s hurting your ability to answer question #19 correctly.
But it’s also writing onto your brain more deeply and more effectively question #11, the question you weren’t sure about, and you’re more likely to scurry home and look it up, and then subsequently remember it for much longer.
We’re making you sweat it out a little bit on purpose, because we want you to remember this stuff for as long as possible, and if we corrected you right on the spot we’d be giving you an easy out and making you more likely to forget that juicy little nugget about APY v. APR.
Does it really matter if I don’t understand squat about consumer finance?
If you’re interested in maximizing your ability to enjoy life, exercise liberty, and pursue happiness, then it definitely matters that you’re able to competently and confidently navigate all things consumer finance, as well as the things that ultimately drive your need for consumer financial products.
As Homer-as-Santa once said, “You don’t need all that stuff, kid.” And maybe your needs are really just wants, and maybe your wants are really about that one time in third grade when your classmates made fun of you for your off-brand sneakers.
We also think it’s crucial that we avoid another crash like the one that tanked Lehman, which was basically the equivalent of a gigantic million-car pileup. Insofar as we’re all driving financial vehicles, we think it’s important that you know what it takes to get behind that wheel.
Think of our quiz as your license to charge. It matters. For real. So take it.
What’s next for CreditCardio?
Next up, we want to build the infrastructure that lets you earn points, add suggested questions, receive daily SMS tips from the CreditCardio trainer, and then expand across various other lending products and alternative financial products. We also want to make sure that CreditCardio can help those who don’t have regular internet access so we’d like to build tutorials that can be accessed via non-intelligent cell phones or maybe even a land line.
I’m a personal finance expert. I help people make better financial decisions every day. How can I get involved with CreditCardio?
Please email Anittah Patrick at anp at creditcardio dot com.
I work for a financial institution that would love to chat with the fine folks at CreditCardio. How do we get in touch?
Please email Anittah Patrick at anp at creditcardio dot com. Let’s talk.
I am a K-12 instructor and I’d love to either contribute to your knowledge library or use your materials in my classroom. Is that cool?
Yes. Please email Anittah Patrick at anp at creditcardio dot com.
I have a large pile of money and/or stack of gold bars that I’d like to give to you in order to accelerate your product development. Are you down with that?
Maybe. Please email Anittah Patrick at anp at creditcardio dot com.