Credit cards are amazing tools of modern convenience. You don’t have to carry cash or a cheque book when you go shopping. You can make purchases even when you don’t make the transaction in person. And you can enjoy more security than cash could ever provide.

Let’s look at the purchase side of credit card convenience and the three ways credit cards let you pay for those purchases.

In-Store / Point of Sale Purchases

Credit cards can be used for everyday point of sale (POS) purchases. This is when you pay for something in-person at a payment terminal. That could mean anything from giving your card to a cashier so they can run it through their scanner and register to using your credit card at a fuel pump.

Online Purchases

One of the biggest benefits of credit cards is that they let you make purchases online. This practically puts the whole world at your fingertips. You can buy items from distant locations if you can’t find what you want locally. You can find more variety. You can compare prices from many stores online at once to save money.

You can use your credit card online by entering details like the card number and expiration date on a secure website. This is why it’s also very important to protect that information. Others can use that information to make purchases even if they don’t physically steal your card.

Over-the-Phone Purchases

Credit cards can also be used to make payments over the phone. You might place an order with a mail order company for example. Or you can use your card over the phone to pay other bills (like your utility bills).

It’s a good idea to never give your credit card information over the phone to someone who calls you. It’s too easy for someone to claim they’re from a company when they’re not. Instead, if you’re interested in what they’re selling, call them back. But verify their phone number independently by looking it up online if possible.

Those are three ways credit cards can be used to simplify your financial life by letting you pay for purchases quickly and securely. How do you most often use your credit card for shopping or bill payments?