UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Last year, total outstanding credit card debt in the U.S. crossed the trillion-dollar threshold.

Proper management of personal credit card debt is essential for a life of financial wellness, according to the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center. Those little plastic squares can have their advantages, such as building a credit history and helping in an emergency. But there are also well-known pitfalls: the possibility of impulse purchases, annual fees and negative effects on credit history when used improperly.

If you’re thinking of getting a credit card or need help managing the ones you have, join the center’s credit card webinar, scheduled for noon on Tuesday, Sept. 25. It’s available at no cost to all members of the Penn State community. All webinars from the center are accessible through this Zoom link.

The Sept. 25 webinar will go over the basics of credits cards, as well as how to choose the correct one for you, a breakdown of the monthly billing statement, an explanation of your FICO score, and the contents of a credit report. See the self-study modules for more details.

Members of the Penn State community also are encouraged to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a staff member of the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center if they need additional help. Fill out this short form to schedule an appointment.

Next month’s webinars will cover student loans on Oct. 9 and identity theft on Oct. 23.

Penn State’s Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center offers services to the entire Penn State community and is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education, the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.