What is one potential negative outcome of mismanaging credit?

Mismanaging credit can lead to the accumulation of debt, which is a significant concern for individuals. When credit is not handled properly—such as by not making payments on time, borrowing more than one can afford, or failing to keep track of credit card usage—interest can accrue rapidly, leading to a situation where the total amount owed grows larger than anticipated. High levels of accumulated debt can result in financial strain and may take a long time to pay off, causing stress and potentially impacting other areas of a person's financial life.

In contrast, options like increased savings, improved financial health, and enhanced credit score typically arise from effective credit management rather than mismanagement. These positive outcomes are generally associated with responsible budgeting, timely payments, and maintaining low credit utilization rates. Mismanagement instead leads individuals down a path where financial health deteriorates rather than improves.