Spend as much time as you can looking for the right card. Discuss with your parents or with an adult you know is good with their money - they usually have great advice on where to start.
If you already have a checking account that you use, consider setting up a credit card at that same bank. If they know you and you're a working student, the probability of being approved is much higher.
Never buy anything that you won't be able to pay off and save using it for mainly emergencies.
Sarah
of IL
@
Oct 18, 2009 19:18:02 PM
Be Smart
Only use your card if your 100% sure you can pay it back. My sister would only use her card if she already had the cash to pay for it, then set it aside to pay the bill later.
Jessica Ramirez
of FL
@
Sep 03, 2009 15:56:02 PM
....
or just be responsible and dont put your weekend tab on your credit card use it for essentials to establish your credit like everyone else in the world? ive had one all through college and its just fine
....
of CA
@
Apr 10, 2009 22:10:33 PM
Credit
I got a college credit card 6 months no apr blah blah no annual fee. Everything I buy goes on my card and I mean everything. I pay for my 1.5 k monthly bills though so if you get a credit card only get it if you have money. If you don't you will probably just f yourself like every person my age does.
Joe Pesci
of IN
@
Mar 03, 2009 14:24:04 PM
You Can't Own A Credit Card
The only thing I would add to this is:
You don't own credit cards; they own you. Keep this in mind. If you are a college student or a parent with a college age student, keep in mind that we all want good credit scores, but don't make your credit score your god.
Cash is king. Learn to pay yourself first. Seek ways to save money, create the proper emergency fund (by today's standards - not yesteryear) and seek to have a strong and sound financial position. You will - over time - make more and less money. The key is taking that money from checking to savings.
Good luck.
Loyd Ford
www.STICKYASSET.com/blog
Loyd Ford
of NC
@
Jan 14, 2009 11:38:13 AM
The Best Credit Cards for College Students
Are no credit cards.
Ali
of FL
@
Sep 26, 2008 18:53:17 PM
Credit Card Sites for Students
You neglected to mention some sites that are created just for students. We operate www.StudentPlatinum.com and provide credit card comparison tools along with useful articles, blogs and a forum to post and answer questions. There are other sites offering students targeted advice and cards, including CollegePlastic.
Edvisors Online Education
of MA
@
Jun 09, 2008 08:56:27 AM
Thanks so much, Justin! Great point, I just have mentioned that.
Kimberly Palmer
of
@
Jun 06, 2008 15:02:13 PM
College credit card
When I started college, I had no credit card and was just fine. Sophomore year I got one through my bank, USAA and after I graduated it was automatically converted to a real credit card
Veronica
of NY
@
Jun 06, 2008 14:31:48 PM
First Credit
Hi Kim,
Thanks for mentioning IndexCreditCards.com; we try to offer students a quick way to compare cards & get the one right for them.
There's one very important idea I'd like to add to your answer. Getting a credit card in college can help you build your credit, which can help you get lower interest rates on loans in the future, BUT if you get a card and don't handle it properly, you can really mess up your credit and that can cause you all kinds of problems down the road, including not being able to get credit or having to pay crazy high interest rates or fees.
For most college students, a credit card is their first and only line on their credit report, so handling your card correctly is even more important than it would be for an older adult who has more history under his/her belt.
Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.
Sarah of IL @ Oct 18, 2009 19:18:02 PM
Jessica Ramirez of FL @ Sep 03, 2009 15:56:02 PM
.... of CA @ Apr 10, 2009 22:10:33 PM
Joe Pesci of IN @ Mar 03, 2009 14:24:04 PM
Loyd Ford of NC @ Jan 14, 2009 11:38:13 AM
Ali of FL @ Sep 26, 2008 18:53:17 PM
Edvisors Online Education of MA @ Jun 09, 2008 08:56:27 AM
Kimberly Palmer of @ Jun 06, 2008 15:02:13 PM
Veronica of NY @ Jun 06, 2008 14:31:48 PM
Justin McHenry of OH @ Jun 06, 2008 13:51:30 PM
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