Tips On Getting And Using Your First Credit Card
A person that is just entering adulthood will be stepping into a whole new world in which they will have to face new issues like never before. One issue that is sure to preoccupy every new adult's mind is finding out the best means of establishing credit. At an age when a young adult is trying to find his feet and is trying to make a new home for him or herself, using a credit card can prove to be a big help in finding a flat and also for paying for utilities.
Learn To Live On Credit
Thus, getting a first credit card is like opening the door to a whole new and different world and it also means learning how to live on credit. To begin with, your first major decision with regard to using a first credit card would be deciding on which type of credit card to use. And before making up your mind one way or the other you will certainly need to make an evaluation of certain factors.
So, you must look at yourself and decide whether you are a procrastinator and also be sure that you will have a steady source of income with which to pay off credit used on your first credit card. Also, you need to be sure in your mind as to why you would really want to use a credit card in the first place.
Secondly, even if you feel that you are not the most responsible type of person, but you are nevertheless sure that having a credit card will still be worthwhile for you, then you need to think about making an American Express credit card your first credit card, because it would mean not having a minimum balance. In any case, choosing the right and proper first credit card can often confuse you - what with having to decide on APR, hidden charges as well as annual fees. What's more, there is a lot of fine print that you will also need to read over before you can be sure that a particular credit card company should provide you with your first credit card.
Also, having obtained your first credit card, you then need to be aware of certain rules about how to use the credit card properly. First of all, always shred receipts after they are no longer of any use to you and never give your credit card number over the telephone unless you made the call in the first place. In addition, you need to ensure storing your customer service numbers in a secure place.
The bottom line is that it would be foolish to think about your first credit card as being a passport to using free money because you will have to pay for each charge that you make and spending money indiscriminately will only fill your cup of woes rather than make your life more comfortable.