Cryptocurrency - For Beginners?

I don't know the first thing about Cryptocurrency. I thought I did until I was asked to explain it to someone. I knew for example that there were multiple cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Litecoin, etc. I knew they were digital and required a digital wallet. But I did not actually understand how the currency was created, except that the means of obtaining the currency was called mining.

Now I still do not know very much about, and all the research I have found online presupposes an enormous amount of knowledge on the subject.

There is no idiots guide, because quite frankly the hardware and knowhow threshold to start mining or using cryptocurrencies is so high. And those engaged in the endeavor do not want to stop long enough to explain it. Not to mention once they do create guides but the time they are read they are out of date.

I pay with magnetic currency for now, credit cards.