Stores and credit card companies make it seem so easy. How often have you seen advertisements to buy something and only pay $20 a month? Sounds pretty affordable, right? Well, what isn’t always clear is how much that same item costs over time. The fact of the matter is the higher the interest rate, the smaller the payments, and the longer the payment period – the more you’ll end up paying in the long run. So what’s the real cost of credit? Let’s go shopping and find out!