I'm 18 and want to get a credit card. What are some common mistakes and how do I choose a good credit card?

Question

I know OF such things like APR, fees, etc., but don't know anything that you would learn from years of experience with credit cards and credit card companies.

Care to share some advice or experiences? What are some important considerations?

Answer 1

Having a credit card could be a good way to build your credit,but it could also be a trap especially if you're a big spender.Just keep in mind the money you're using is a loan that you'll have to repay with interest.

Answer 2

to build your credit get 1 credit card and buy a few things and pay it off at the end of the month then after you do that for a few months you will be building a credit history. it also matters how much of your credit you use. if you have a $200 limit you only want to use $100 cuz it gives you a better rating if you don't over extend yourself. So don't spend more than you can pay for. Try to get a card with no annual fee that will save you some money and after you have been paying for a while you can call the card company and ask for a limit raise. but it is best to only have 1 or 2 cards like a MasterCard, visa or American express.

Answer 3

It's definately not a bad idea to get a credit card, in my opinion, if you're as responsible as you appear to be in your post, having already done some research and then consulted people before even applying. Good work so far!

My recommendation is that you treat your credit card, when you get it, like a debit card. That is to say, if you're currently swiping a check card for your lunch, gas, etc, and keeping track of how much you've spent so you know you have enough in the bank to cover it... do the same with your credit card. Don't increase your expenses. When I got my first credit card, that's exactly what I did. I used it for lunch, gas, and normal spending and then paid it off every (if not sooner) from my bank account. Since I wasn't using the check card anymore, the money was always there to make that full payment.

Try to keep your card from getting more than 50% charged, always know about how much you've charged (just like you would with a check card), and always pay on time. You should be fine!

Answer 4

Here is the biggest problem with the credit cards. It becomes easy money to charge something. In the long run, you end up paying for the item several times over when you consider the interest payments.

So, if you can school yourself to only charge what you will pay for at the end of each month, you can build up your credit.

But the biggest problem that most people learn the hard way is what is called the credit card trap. Ask any person that is swimming in too much debt and they will tell you that the credit cards are the biggest problem. The lure of having easy access to the cash lures you to spend money you don't have.

Answer 5

Seriously, at 18, you don't need a credit card. I'm not trying to be condescending here, but at this age you're likey to start digging a credit hole for yourself. What you really need is a steady job. Once you've got this, then open a checking account. If you can keep your checking account open and balanced for the next 2 years, then start looking at credit cards. Jumping into the deep end of the credit pool is usually a drowning proposition before you've had much experience with managing your personal finances. As a rule, most 18-yr olds will screw up a checking account within 6 months or less...max out a credit card at 21% interest, and you've got a whole new set of problems. I've been 18 before myself, and typically we're too impulsive to manage money/credit effectively. It's much easier to get into debt than to get out. Just my .02 here...

Answer 6

Get a secured card with a low ($500) credit limit and build my credit for a year, then get a real credit card. This is a sure thing, but I'd like to not have my money tied up like that, and I would like to take advantage of the float on credit card purchases.
To qualify for a credit card you must be at least 18 years old and have a regular source of income. Despite invitations from credit card issuers, you will still have to demonstrate that you are a good risk before they grant you credit. The proof is in your credit report. Before you submit a credit card application, you may want to obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate. If you are new to this country and you do not have a credit history, start by reading our article: How to Establish Credit.

solve your all credit cards related problems at: http://www.credit-card-forums.com/forum/

Answer 7

What's more important convenience or fees? Bank of America is EVERYWHERE but 9 times of 10 its a catch and they often screw you over when you least expect it. Make sure you stress STUDENT or they'll try to charge you fees and such. Instead of paying the min. 15 every month try to pay 50 if you get into a tight bind for awhile. That way your making a bigger dent in the amount you owe. Try to stay down to one or two cards with a low allowance. You don't wnat ot get bogged down under debt asnd you DEFINATELY don't want to get into the habit of paying one card off with another. That'll mess you up really quick. Hmm I think that's about it. Oh and write CHECK ID PLEASE in blod on the back as big as possible instead of your signature so that in case y ou lose your card before your aware of it you have a fighting chance of not wrecking up fraud charges.

Answer 8

If I were you I would go to the bank and apply for a secured credit card. You would have to put a deposit down to cover the line of credit. The minimum is usually $300. Then you can charge up to that amount. Later you can add to the deposit amount and after awhile the bank will increase the credit line if you pay on time.

Answer 9

Credit Card Debt Management: Credit cards are a great source of availing credit to meet your requirements. But they can lead to a debt trap from which you will find it difficult to come out. Hence you need to keep a close watch on your credit card expenses minutely

Answer 10

The commonest mistake is to get a credit card and not pay the whole thing off every month. In general, credit cards are the worst deal in the world except for the person who pays them off monthly. Then, it is almost like a free loan - except the merchant pays for every transaction and it gets built back into your price - no free lunch.

Anyway, be careful --- many many people go bankrupt on credit card debt they incur in college without the ability to pay it back.