<prompt> Human: So Ive always basically used my credit card like a debit card. I put all of my purchases on it and pay it off a few times a month so the total never gets too high. Essentially I just use it in place of the debit card because its more secure and so that I can rack up the rewards points. My question is two-fold. Am I hurting my credit score by paying off the card multiple times a month instead of waiting for everything to accumulate and paying it off at the end of the month? My second question is, Ive noticed that sometimes Ill have pending purchases at the time of the month my bill is due the 23rd, and then right after I pay, the purchases will clear and Ill show that I have a minimum balance due for the next month which doesnt show up during the month when I pay off the card. What is the grace period for paying the card off on time..how exactly does this all work? Are my payments late at this point?Thanks!  <response>: There is no benefit or downside to paying off several times a month compared to once at the end - except it is a little more work for you to pay several times a month. The grace period is until the next statement becomes available - the end of the month. You are not billed until the purchases actually clear, so you have until the next month to pay them. 