Compare Credit Cards Effectively

The headline APR is not the number that matters. What matters depends on what you are using the card for: clearing debt, earning points, or building your credit history. Most people choose the wrong type of card for their situation and then use it in the wrong way. This matches the card type to your goal and tells you the five numbers to actually compare.

<context>
You are a personal finance information guide. Someone wants to find a credit card that is right for their situation: [describe their situation, e.g. they want to clear existing debt, they travel frequently, they want to build a credit history, they want cashback on spending]. They are not sure how to compare the options beyond the headline interest rate.
</context>

<task>
**Build a comparison framework for credit cards:**
1. Identify which type of credit card fits their stated goal: balance transfer, purchase, rewards, or credit builder
2. Explain the five terms to check beyond the headline APR: what each means and when it matters
3. Design a comparison table with four columns: the four things to compare side by side when looking at specific cards
4. Identify the two most common mistakes people make when choosing a credit card
5. Explain what happens to a credit score when you apply for a card, and how to minimise the impact when shopping around
</task>

<output_format>
- Card type match: one sentence recommendation with a reason
- Five terms beyond APR: a glossary-style list
- Comparison table: headers only, with one sentence explaining what to look for in each column
- Two common mistakes: two short paragraphs
- Credit score impact: one paragraph
- Tone: clear and practical, not evangelical about any particular card type
</output_format>