Credit card for college student
I have what I'm sure is a really basic question, but as a 19 year old college
student who's dumb as a rock about credit type stuff, I thought I'd ask you
guys.
Right now I'm getting piles of credit card offers from bloodsucking companies
offering me cards with ridiculous APR's and sneaky fees. I always rip them up
and toss them. Lately, however, I've been thinking of their major argument --
basically they scream, "GET THIS NOW! BUILD YOUR CREDIT WHILE YOU HAVE THE
CHANCE!"
Is this a valid reason to get a credit card now? I know the common pitfalls of
having a credit card -- spending more than you have, treating it like "play
money," and I can't see myself doing either. I'm always careful with my
money, rarely buying anything new for myself and shopping at thrift stores when
I do. I would never make any major purchases with the card. I would probably
make an occasional small purchase and set aside the cash to pay it off in full
at the end of the month. Is this reasonable? Is it really that important to
begin to build my credit already?
And if yes, where should I get my credit card? When I compare the APR's of
mine and my parents' offers, there's usually a difference of 10-15% I know
that their established credit is huge factor in that discrepancy, but it seems
that I could do better than what is being offered to me. I realize that if I
plan to pay my bill off in full at the end of the month, the APR won't matter
as much, but I still want the best deal
-By the time you graduate from college most of your college friends will have
maxed out ther credit cards (in defult) and have over 50K in student loans.
Enjoy the freedom now. Worry later! You will be indept for the rest of
your entire life wi