Don't Be A Student With Credit Card Debt
There's a dirty little secret in the credit card industry: marketing credit cards to students. Credit card companies know that most students are unemployed and have little income, yet they encourage students to incur credit card debt. If you are a student, avoid credit card debt if you possibly can.
Alternatives To Student Credit Card Debt
Fortunately, there are several ways students can avoid credit card debt by finding ways other than credit cards to purchase the things they need while they are in school.
Some students have parents or other family members who have disposable income they can lend to the student. Be honest when you communicate with your family about your expenses and your wish to avoid student credit card debt. Your parents may be able to help you rework your budget and find ways to save money. If they know you are about to incur credit card debt, which you will have to repay after graduation, they are likely to want to help you avoid the burden of student credit card debt by lending you money at a favorable rate of return.
Students who do not want to incur student credit card debt, but whose families cannot afford to contribute to their expenses, may be able to use student loans to finance some of their living expenses. Meet with the financial aid office at your college or university to find out what kind of financial assistance is available for students who want to avoid incurring student credit card debt. You may find that you can borrow funds in addition to your expenses for tuition, fees, and books on your student loans. Student loans are generally financed at a lower interest rate than credit card debt, and some tax deductions may be available when you repay your student loans. Consult a licensed tax preparer to answer any questions you have about reducing student credit card debt by borrowing more money on your student loans.
Another way to avoid incurring student credit card debt is to increase your income while you are a student by getting a part-time job. Again, take advantage of the resources at your college or university. Many colleges post part-time job opportunities that will not interfere with your academic schedule. Who knows - one of these opportunities may lead to a full-time job when you finish school.
Think twice before you incur student credit card debt, and explore your alternatives thoroughly.
