Credit Cards - For new customers... Suggestions???

[packers11]

I'm 18, and I finally got a job this summer and have a lot of money to spend/save... I put a lot of the money in my saving account in the bank and have an ATM card, but there are some things online I would like to purchase but they mostly require credit cards and it is annoying to go through your parents every time so I was thinking of getting a credit card...

I'm going to college next year, and I think having a credit card could be very helpful...

How do I go along in getting one??? The Bank? Online? I want to make sure I find good rates, and benefits...

I could easily ask my parents about this and i'm sure they will help me, but I want to show them that I can do stuff by myself and don't always need their help...

Suggestions???

[MJZiggy]

There are a ton of student credit cards out there. I would start with the bank that holds your savings account and see what kind of rates they offer and fees they charge. (funny, I just went through this...) Always look at the fees vs. the rewards and if you're ever going to let a balance sit (very bad idea) the interest rate.

These days you can do it all online. Or you can do it the easy way and just order your Packer credit card...

[retailguy]

Re: Credit Cards - For new customers... Suggestions???

I'm 18, and I finally got a job this summer and have a lot of money to spend/save... I put a lot of the money in my saving account in the bank and have an ATM card, but there are some things online I would like to purchase but they mostly require credit cards and it is annoying to go through your parents every time so I was thinking of getting a credit card...

I'm going to college next year, and I think having a credit card could be very helpful...

How do I go along in getting one??? The Bank? Online? I want to make sure I find good rates, and benefits...

I could easily ask my parents about this and i'm sure they will help me, but I want to show them that I can do stuff by myself and don't always need their help...

Suggestions???

Don't get one, DON'T use one. Get a visa/MC debit card and you can use it anywhere you need to use a credit card. The last thing you need to add to your College experience is $2k in credit card debt, and if you get one, you WILL use it.

Don't believe the BS that you need a solid credit profile to buy a house. Pay your bills on time, get a good job after college and you'll be able to buy a house....

STAY AWAY FROM THE CREDIT CARDS!

[Merlin]

I only say this as a word of advice for you:

Keep going through your parents!

There are an increasing number of college students who max out several cards with high interest rates and only make the minimum payments every month. Normally you wouldn't get a credit card with more the $1000 credit limit at the most given your age, BUT if you have a good paying summer job and are making good money, then they may offer you a higher limit.

I know you aren't my kid but I will tell you what I told mine:

It's your responsibility to pay it off. If you default on it or miss payments, it's your credit rating, not mine. Just because you have money today doesn't mean you will have it tomorrow and it's too easy to whip out the plastic when you are in a bind. NEVER buy anything with a credit card that you do not have the money to pay off each month.

My son doesn't have a credit card, but he doesn't really have a job either so maybe that's why. He can't even manage his checking account without overdrawing it so if you are one of those types, then the credit card companies will want you!

[Partial]

Re: Credit Cards - For new customers... Suggestions???

I'm 18, and I finally got a job this summer and have a lot of money to spend/save... I put a lot of the money in my saving account in the bank and have an ATM card, but there are some things online I would like to purchase but they mostly require credit cards and it is annoying to go through your parents every time so I was thinking of getting a credit card...

I'm going to college next year, and I think having a credit card could be very helpful...

How do I go along in getting one??? The Bank? Online? I want to make sure I find good rates, and benefits...

I could easily ask my parents about this and i'm sure they will help me, but I want to show them that I can do stuff by myself and don't always need their help...

Suggestions???

Don't get one, DON'T use one. Get a visa/MC debit card and you can use it anywhere you need to use a credit card. The last thing you need to add to your College experience is $2k in credit card debt, and if you get one, you WILL use it.

Don't believe the BS that you need a solid credit profile to buy a house. Pay your bills on time, get a good job after college and you'll be able to buy a house....

STAY AWAY FROM THE CREDIT CARDS!

I will disagree with RG and say get a student card. Anyone in the US who attends a state university(whitewater, milwaukee, oshkosh, platteville, superior, etc) meets the minimum requirements for a low interest student card. I would set your credit limit at 500, and use it once a week on gas and pay it off every month by mailing in an automatic payment using online banking.

The only reason I have ever missed a payment was while at school my bills went to my house and I forgot to send one in. Now I just have it send in whatever the full balance is automatically every month.

Likewise, I would be smart and put 50% of your paychecks into a seperate bank account and don't touch it. If you don't have to pay for school and are rolling in the dough, save that money and put it into a CD for 5-6 years. Also, consider inquiring about the 401k plan of your company and see how much they will match. If they match 5%, put 5% into their savings program and get more money(they'd be paying you 5% extra for example) while saving more money.

[Tarlam!]

Partial, you're an angel.

Follow RG's advice. NEVER get a credit card. EVER!

[GoPackGo]

Partial, you're an angel.

Follow RG's advice. NEVER get a credit card. EVER!

don't get a card. Live cheap for your college years, graduate without debt, and you will be in control of your financial situation.

[Partial]

Partial, you're an angel.

Follow RG's advice. NEVER get a credit card. EVER!

don't get a card. Live cheap for your college years, graduate without debt, and you will be in control of your financial situation.

I agree with your principle, but I don't think having a card constitutes debt. I think a "I must have it now" attitude generates debt. My best advice is to find a girl who is stingy and live in a very stingy manner yourself. You've got from 30-90 to live extravagantly. Saving money now will make you much more wealthy later on.

[packers11]

thanks everyone for the suggestions so far...

I'm looking into debit cards as some of you suggested...

I know debit cards take money out of your checking account and you have to have the funds to buy it so maybe it is a safer choice for me at this point in time...

But... Are debit cards accepted on a lot of websites???

[MJZiggy]

Debit cards are accepted wherever credit cards are.

[LL2]

I'll agree witht he majority....DON'T GET A CREDIT CARD! Unless you know you are extremely disciplined to pay it off each month. I got myself into CC debt and regretted it. You believe a lie when you say you'll pay it off quickly, but it never happens. Credit cards are evil!!!

[Partial]

Do you guys not use credit cards even now that you have jobs and whatnot? Debit cards don't have any theft protection on them, so I try to keep only 50 dollars in my checking account.

[Zool]

Do you guys not use credit cards even now that you have jobs and whatnot? Debit cards don't have any theft protection on them, so I try to keep only 50 dollars in my checking account.

I dont have any CC's. My debit card has a $500 limit and it does have protection against fraud.

[Partial]

Do you guys not use credit cards even now that you have jobs and whatnot? Debit cards don't have any theft protection on them, so I try to keep only 50 dollars in my checking account.

I dont have any CC's. My debit card has a $500 limit and it does have protection against fraud.

What company provides it? I was under the impression that Visa(at least through the two banks I have debit cards from) carry 50 dollars in protection and that is it.

What if you need to buy something more than 500 dollars?

[GoPackGo]

Do you guys not use credit cards even now that you have jobs and whatnot?

I don't use one unless I have a plan to pay it off and a really good reason to use it. For instance.... I use a Midwest Airlines CC to buy all of my gasoline. I get a frequent flyer mile for every dollar I spend. I have parlayed gas I would have bought anyway into free round trip airline tickets.