I have some really dumb, simple questions regarding credit card usage (never had one before)

JustAGuyWithQuestions

In about May of last year I decided to take out a credit card (Capital One) for the first time (at 29 years old). I hadn't used it at all until just a few hours ago when I really needed something from the store but and didn't have the funds to pay via debit card. My first question is, how do I know when I need to pay the amount I spent on the credit card by? I tried looking on the app but there's no date shown (I vaguely remember the monthly date being discussed when I first applied for the credit card, but this was too long ago for me to remember). My second question is, if I spend a little on my credit card here and there (and of course pay it back), will it really make me look more credible in the eyes of lenders for me to be given a loan/mortgage? 

kaMelo

You will receive a monthly statement from Capital One, this can be either paper or electronic depending upon what you agreed to. On this statement it will show how much you have spent that month and a payment due date.  Don't go over your credit limit and pay the full amount by the due date and you will not pay any interest on your purchases. Rinse and repeat next month. 
Whilst you don't need to pay the whole amount back it becomes very expensive if you don't  so ideally only spend what you have.

In the short term no it won't make much difference however longer term,( 6 months +) and assuming you don't go over your credit limit or not pay the bill,  it will demonstrate you have the ability to manage credit wisely and always pay on time.
As lenders want to get paid each and every month this is exactly the kind of thing they want to see in your credit history.

JustAGuyWithQuestions

kaMelo said:

You will receive a monthly statement from Capital One, this can be either paper or electronic depending upon what you agreed to. On this statement it will show how much you have spent that month and a payment due date.  Don't go over your credit limit and pay the full amount by the due date and you will not pay any interest on your purchases. Rinse and repeat next month.

In the short term no it won't make much difference however longer term,( 6 months +) and assuming you don't go over your credit limit or not pay the bill,  it will demonstrate you have the ability to manage credit wisely and always pay on time.
As lenders want to get paid each and every month this is exactly the kind of thing they want to see in your credit history.

Thanks for your answer. I literally only spent like £4 at the store from my £300 limit, so I think I'm okay to assume I'm good. I'll call Capital One tomorrow for clarification on all this. 

Ebe_Scrooge

JustAGuyWithQuestions said:

kaMelo said:

You will receive a monthly statement from Capital One, this can be either paper or electronic depending upon what you agreed to. On this statement it will show how much you have spent that month and a payment due date.  Don't go over your credit limit and pay the full amount by the due date and you will not pay any interest on your purchases. Rinse and repeat next month.

In the short term no it won't make much difference however longer term,( 6 months +) and assuming you don't go over your credit limit or not pay the bill,  it will demonstrate you have the ability to manage credit wisely and always pay on time.
As lenders want to get paid each and every month this is exactly the kind of thing they want to see in your credit history.

Thanks for your answer. I literally only spent like £4 at the store from my £300 limit, so I think I'm okay to assume I'm good. I'll call Capital One tomorrow for clarification on all this. 

There's no need to call Capital One - this is how all credit cards work.  The only thing you need to clarify to yourself is whether you'll be receiving a paper or an electronic statement.  If paper, have they got your correct address (have you moved since you got the card)?  If electronic, have they got your correct email address?  The simplest way is to sign up for online banking (actually, you say you've already got the app?).  All your details will be on there - your email address, physical address, whether you're signed up for paper or electronic statements.

As long as all your details are correct, simply wait for the statement to arrive then pay it in full before the stated "payment due" date (which is usually about 3 weeks after the statement is produced).  The simplest way is to set up a Direct Debit to pay off the full amount.

As kaMelo says, using a credit card regularly for everyday purchases and always repaying in full every month will cost you nothing and will, over time, build up a positive credit history.  Just make sure you only use it for stuff you need and can afford - food, petrol, whatever.  Never use it to buy things that you won't be able to repay in full at the end of the month.