Get Smart About Credit Day 2026 Arrives as Card APRs Stay High
Carrying a credit card balance remains expensive as banks and credit unions prepare their annual Get Smart About Credit push. Federal Reserve data released in early October show revolving credit contracted in August while nonrevolving credit kept growing. Independent rate trackers disagree on the precise level, but LendingTree puts the average APR on a new card offer at 23.96% in October. This article explains what the industry is doing and where households can make small, practical cuts.
Why the credit campaign is expanding
The American Bankers Association Foundation launched its 2026 financial education programs on January 22 and asked banks and their more than two million employees to take part. Get Smart About Credit is one of four national anchors, alongside Teach Children to Save, Safe Banking for Seniors, and the Lights, Camera, Save video contest. The Foundation said it exceeded its three-year goal of reaching five million people by delivering free financial education to 6.15 million individuals through more than 1,300 banks and 110,000 volunteers.
Lindsay Torrico, executive director of the ABA Foundation, called the five-million milestone a testament to the power of bankers coming together with a shared purpose.
What the Federal Reserve numbers show
The Federal Reserve’s G.19 Consumer Credit release, published October 7, shows total consumer credit rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.9% in August. Revolving credit decreased at a 4.2% annual rate, while nonrevolving credit increased at a 4.1% rate. Revolving outstanding stood at $1,352.4 billion. The same report lists commercial bank credit card rates of 21.19% for all accounts and 22.36% for accounts assessed interest.
LendingTree, which analyzes roughly 220 cards from more than 50 issuers, reports an average new-offer APR of 23.96% in October, up from 23.82% in September and matching its highest level since December 2025. Bankrate’s weekly national average was 19.65% on October 7, down from its record-high 20.79% set on August 14, 2024.
Help at a bank or credit union near you
Credit unions are pairing classroom education with one-on-one coaching. America’s Credit Unions reported in April 2026 that Ent Credit Union had certified 140 employees as financial counselors, with about 95 active in coaching roles across 60 branch locations and a virtual platform. In the first half of 2025, that coaching helped members eliminate more than $700,000 in debt. The Maine Credit Union League’s Financial Fitness Fairs assign students a job and an entry-level income, then have them visit booths for transportation, meals, and entertainment.
Check the table before buying a ticket
One small budget leak is the casual lottery or keno purchase. Payout tables are not universal, so a buyer who checks the game before spending can see exactly what a given number of spots would return. checking keno payout tables makes that math clear before you hand over cash. The point is not to turn gambling into investing; it is to know the table before deciding whether a ticket is worth the price.
Learn snowboard care instead of paying shop fees
Snow sports maintenance is another recurring cost that can be trimmed with a little knowledge. A rider who understands basic stance, edge care, and waxing can handle routine upkeep at home instead of paying a shop every season. step-by-step snowboard maintenance guides walk through first-day skills and gear care in plain language. Serious damage still belongs with a professional, but ordinary seasonal service charges are avoidable.
Make a pantry staple at home
Grocery spending is a flexible line in most budgets, and one low-effort swap is making catsup rather than buying another bottle. homemade catsup recipes show how a basic condiment can be produced from ordinary pantry ingredients, reducing a recurring grocery item without changing the meals you already cook. It is a modest saving by itself, but paired with other small cuts it helps keep the food budget steady.
Your October budgeting checklist
Start by looking up the APR on any card you carry and compare it with the rates above. If you are paying more than the credit union or balance-transfer averages, ask about a lower-rate option or a faster payoff plan. Check your local bank or credit union website for a Get Smart About Credit workshop or a free one-on-one coaching session. Finally, audit three small spending categories—entertainment, recreation, and groceries—and choose one change you can keep through the end of the year.