conversation: User (throwaway3838383938): "Hi, I was wondering which is better when getting a credit card for the first time in order to improve credit: to pay it off as soon as you use it, before interest is added, or allow the interest to hit then pay off the balance? "
  User (throwaway3838383938): "That's what I figured, is there any benefit to not paying it off instantly? I plan to pay it off every time I use it so that theres never a balance on it. Do they just check to see if it was used and if the balance is 0?"
  cataringso (cataringso): "You should let a small amount report when the statement period closes. Then pay it off before the grace period.  "
  User (throwaway3838383938): "Alright, so how do you know exactly when it gets reported? Is it possible to get it reported before the interest is added, so you only pay what you owe and nnot interest, but still increase credit score?"
  rnelsonee (rnelsonee): "Generally, it's the "amount due" on the bill (so it includes interest and fees), and therefore it's reported after the bill is generated. You can double check this by checking your credit report and just looking at the monthly history."
  NothingKing (NothingKing): "if you pay it off every month, you do not get charged interest.  Just pay the total bill (not the minimum) by the due date on your bill."
  