| Creating good credit and getting student | | | | just to go shopping or on a trip with |
| credit cards is new territory for | | | | your friends. Make sure that you really |
| college students. Your future is | | | | do have a necessity and don't overcharge |
| starting now and you probably haven't | | | | any more than you need. |
| given much thought to building your | | | | When choosing a card, you may have some |
| credit. Getting off on the right foot is | | | | luck going through your bank or credit |
| crucial for your financial future. | | | | union, but there are companies that have |
| Making the wrong moves can haunt you for | | | | special previsions for students. It is |
| years and you should be aware of the | | | | generally best to avoid companies that |
| risks and rewards when it comes to your | | | | be preying on the fact that you seem |
| credit score. | | | | naïve about credit cards. Beware of |
| Your credit score tells lenders if you | | | | representatives that offer free t-shirts |
| are a low-risk person who manages their | | | | or any other types of prizes for filling |
| money and credit well, or if you are | | | | out an application. That freebie could |
| careless and reckless with your | | | | end up costing you hundreds or thousands |
| finances. If your credit is good, you'll | | | | of dollars in fees and interest in the |
| enjoy low interest rates on loans and | | | | long run. Look for good introductory |
| credit cards, lower minimum payments | | | | rates that don't balloon into something |
| than your peers and more lending options | | | | horrible after the promotion runs out. |
| will be available to you. This can be | | | | Compare interest rates, fees and terms |
| very important when it comes to making | | | | of many cards before making a decision. |
| major purchases such as vehicles or | | | | You may need to start out with a secured |
| buying your first home. Making bad | | | | credit card. These are credit cards that |
| choices and careless uninformed | | | | require you to put money up front, use |
| decisions can lead to a life of high | | | | the card and prove that you are |
| interest, high payments and simply not | | | | responsible enough to make payments |
| qualifying for that car or house that | | | | on-time. Making on-time payments is one |
| you need. The worse your credit gets, | | | | of the best pieces of advice you can |
| the more you pay for everything that | | | | get. Interest rates can fluctuate very |
| needs financing. Trending in this | | | | quickly when a payment is missed. Fees |
| direction can lead you on a downward | | | | are usually extremely high and you can |
| spiral of out of control debt. | | | | get yourself into a bind that you can't |
| You may not know exactly where to start | | | | afford to get out of. Always pay more |
| to ensure that you get the best deal and | | | | than the minimum required and pay off |
| establish the best score possible. You | | | | balances as quickly as possible. Show |
| are probably starting out with no credit | | | | your responsibility to your credit card |
| score at all and applying for loans and | | | | company and your credit score will |
| credit cards can be disappointing when | | | | reflect your diligence. Once you |
| you are rejected again and again. Make | | | | establish your good credit score, it |
| wise choices. Don't get a credit card | | | | will pay off for years to come. |