CREDIT + DEBT

Credit and debt are a necessary part of most people’s lives. The key is having a plan to manage them. Here are a few tips from Cricket and Acorns to help you stress less and pay off more.

FACT or MYTH:

Carrying a balance on my credit cards will help my credit score.

FACT or MYTH:

MYTH. It can actually hurt your score. That’s because a big part of your score is your utilization rate—how much credit you’ve used compared to how much you have available. And it works both ways: cancelling a card you don’t use can also lower your score by reducing your available credit.

Ready to Decrease Your Debt? You Got This.

3 steps for getting out
of credit card debt

Deflect debt with prepay

Credit doesn’t have to be complicated

3 steps for getting out of credit card debt

1. Create a plan.
List out your debts and decide the best way to tackle them.  The ″avalanche” method means paying them down in order from the debt with the highest interest rate to the lowest. With the “snowball” method, you pay down from your highest balance to your lowest.

2. Consolidate your balances.
Transferring your high-rate card debts to one new card with a low- or no-interest promotional rate can make debt easier to manage and help keep the power of compounding from working against you.

3. Negotiate with your lender.
Calling your lender to ask for a better deal can pay off. A 2018 survey* found that by negotiating with their card issuer, 70% of cardholders got a card’s annual fee waived or lowered, and 56% got a lower interest rate.

*Source: https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-fee-waiver

“I use a prepaid debit card for gas purchases only. I direct deposit a little more than I think I’ll spend on gas each month and use that card at the pump. Often I’ll have a balance left that I can use toward oil changes or repairs. Not using my credit card for day-to-day purchases has helped me limit how much I use it.”

—Tracy M., Instructional Designer for Cricket Support Centers*

Opinions expressed are solely that of the person quoted and do not express the views or opinions of either Acorns or Cricket Wireless.

“I use a prepaid debit card for gas purchases only. I direct deposit a little more than I think I’ll spend on gas each month and use that card at the pump. Often I’ll have a balance left that I can use toward oil changes or repairs. Not using my credit card for day-to-day purchases has helped me limit how much I use it.”

—Tracy M., Instructional Designer for Cricket Support Centers*

Opinions expressed are solely that of the person quoted and do not express the views or opinions of either Acorns or Cricket Wireless.

Credit doesn’t have to be complicated

Industry expert Matt Schultz has three easy ways for you to boost your credit score. 

Spoiler alert: #2 is auto pay, which is great for your credit cards and loans but also for your Cricket account. It’s a super simple way to never miss a payment, plus you may be eligible for the Auto Pay Credit—a $5 service credit at the end of each monthly billing cycle!2

2AUTO PAY CREDIT: Requires min. $40/mo.   voice plan and Auto Pay enrollment. $5 credit applied at the end of each monthly bill cycle. Not combinable with multi-line and certain other discounts. See cricketwireless.com/autopayterms for details.

There’s More to Learn

CRICKET + ACORNS

Cricket Nation, meet our new friend Acorns.

INVESTING IS FOR
EVERYONE

Become an investor today—and it can help build for tomorrow.

INVESTING MADE EASY

Let’s get started—
with spare change.

Save so you can invest

Reach your saving goal so you can invest the rest in your future.

CRICKET + ACORNS = SMILES

CRICKET + ACORNS = SMILES

Cricket is all about helping you stress less and smile more, and that’s why we’ve partnered with Acorns—an easy-to-use app that lets you start small and follow along on your money’s journey over time. Plus, as a Cricket customer, when you open your Acorns account through the link below, you’ll get started with $101—on us!

1Req’s min. $30 Cricket purchase and new Acorns account with $5 investment, then bonus applied w/in 60 days. Add’l fees, usage & restr’s apply. See below for details.

Important Risk Disclosures *Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Round-Up investments are transferred from your linked funding source (checking account) to your Acorns Invest account, where the funds are invested into a portfolio of selected ETFs. Round-Up investments from an external account, will be processed when your Pending Round-Ups® reach or exceed $5. Round-Up investments from Acorns Checking accounts will be processed on an ongoing basis if the Round-Ups® setting is set to automatic. A properly suggested portfolio recommendation is dependent upon current and accurate financial and risk profiles.

Please consider your objectives, risk tolerance, and Acorns’ fees before investing. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only. Investment advisory services provided by Acorns Advisers, LLC, SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Brokerage services provided by Acorns Securities, LLC member FINRA/SIPC. Acorns reserves the right to restrict or revoke any and all offers at any time.

For additional risk information visit https://www.acorns.com/disclosures/.

1ACORNS:Access Acorns through the Acorns app on a compatible device or at www.acorns.com using compatible browser. Requires Acorns log-in credentials. Data rates may apply for app download/usage. Eligible Transaction: Any purchase of $30 or more, within the calendar month, at Cricket Wireless made by using a valid credit or debit card that is properly linked to your Acorns Invest Account. $10 investment is a one-time investment for new Acorns customers who make a $5 initial investment in their new Acorns account within 60 days. $10 applied within 60 days of $5 initial investment. Monthly bill-pay promotion is $1 invested into your Acorns Invest Account when you spend $30 each calendar month at Cricket using a card properly linked to your Acorns Invest Account. $1 applied to Acorns Invest Account within 120 days of a qualifying transaction. Terms and Conditions apply, see acorns.com/cricket for details. Acorns Advisers, LLC, SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Brokerage services provided by Acorns Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. © 2021 Acorns. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Lost Eligibility: Upon cancellation of eligible wireless plan you may lose your $1/mo. deposit. Limits: May not be stackable w/other offers, credits or discounts.

Cell Phones, Plans and Service from Cricket

Are you considering changing your cell phone carrier? Cricket has a variety of cell phone plans to fit any lifestyle, so you can choose a cell phone plan that’s just right. Here are some advantages of switching to Cricket Wireless.

Top Reasons to Choose Cricket

  • No annual contract for cell phone service – Cricket’s prepaid phones aren’t tied to an annual contract, so you have freedom to change your service at any time
  • Unlimited talk & text – No need to worry about going over on your minutes, talk and text to your heart’s content
  • Cricket has a great, big network that covers over 99% of Americans
  • Great buys on top smartphones – Find great deals on phones from brands like Samsung, iPhone, LG, HTC, and more
  • Taxes for services are included in your plan price, so you can easily budget your phone expenses
  • Group Save discounts – Save up to $70/mo when you order five eligible lines of service

How to Pick a Cell Phone Service

  1. Review your most recent cell phone bill
    Look for opportunities to save. In particular, take note of: How much you’re paying per line – Do you have a multi-line cell phone plan? What kind of discount are you getting? Could you save more by switching? Cricket’s family and group plan offers a discount for each extra line up to the fifth line. How much data you use – Do you burn through all of your high-speed data too soon? Do you always have lots of data to spare? Ideally, you don’t want to get too little or too much. Cricket has a variety of cell phone plans to fit any lifestyle, so you can choose a cell phone plan that’s just right. Any surprise taxes or fees (which can really add up) – With Cricket, taxes are included in your bill, so you know exactly what to expect. For a list of our current fees, view our Charges & Fees page.
  2. Decide how satisfied you are with your current cell phone
    “Bring Your Own Phone” BYOP – If you want to keep your phone, bring it to Cricket – just make sure it’s unlocked and compatible with our network. Get a brand new smartphone – Had your eye on one of the hottest new phones? Just need an inexpensive device that does the job? We’ve got a variety of prepaid smartphones, many with great incentives when you switch to Cricket.
  3. Consider any issues you’ve faced with service you had in the past
    Have you had a lot of dropped calls or slow speeds? With Cricket, you’ll enjoy extensive 4G LTE coverage nationwide. Are you fed up with contracts? There’s no annual contract with Cricket’s prepaid plans. Want great service? Providing outstanding customer care is a top priority at Cricket, which is why we make it easy for you to reach us via chat or on the phone. If you prefer to get answers quickly and easily, view our online support.

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