18...credit card?

[The Big Chris]

I want to start establishing credit so when I get out of college and move on with my life I have some credibility. I just want it basically for gas, I don't buy things I can't afford so I won't worry about that. Where do I go to apply, my accounts are at Regions Bank? And how hard is it to get?

[wildbeast15]

i have a american express card.. go to their site...

http://www201.americanexpress.com/gettheca...v-personalcards

right now im gold card... Just pay your bills in full..

[DeepsplJeep]

I am in college also and need to do the same. I am just going to go to my bank and set one up with. Nothing big just buy a cd or something once a month lol. Just to start boosting credit until i get out of school

[Ram]

Apply for a college credit card. When i was 18, i did it, started with $500 credit line. Now Im 20, and my credit cards have $25,000 limits. Make sure you pay them on time, and make sure you NEVER miss a payment. Do it throught your bank. I have accounts at Chase and Capital One. Your bank will treat you better!

[Skullz]

Just get a small loan for a bike or car and make the monthly and that'll be a nice start, its more about making the payments than anything else.

[melonhead]

Getting credit these days is harder than before. Apply for a normal credit and see if you get approved. If you don't, then see if you can get a secured credit card. A secured credit card is where you give them like $250 or $500 of you own money and that is your credit limit. Once they see you can make your payments on time and in full, they'll give you your money back and up your credit limit and you'll have a normal credit card.

[polen21]

WHat I did to establish credit was get a credit account at best buy. If you get one never go over 50% of what you have. So if you get a 2k line only go to 900 at most. Just pay on it for 6 months and should have great credit. I went from a 0 credit score to about a 740 in about 6 months.

[Colin - STAPUFT]

What ^ said for getting a credit card.

My $.02 though: (and what everyone else has said too-) If the ONLY reason you are getting one is to HELP build your credit rating, then make sure you are NEVER late with a payment. Pay it all off every month. Just know that you are playing with fire when you use credit cards. Just so you know that I am not being hypocritical here, I did the same thing when I turned 18 or so. I now hate credit- because I see no sense in paying others interest when I can be making interest on my money. I don't do credit any more once I built my credit score up enough where I could get a home. The CC should be just a small part in your credit score building plan. Other things such as rent, phone, power, water, gas, etc... (with the same rules- pay in full, never late, etc...) will also build your credit rating.

A credit score is nothing more than an "I love Debt" score. (www.daveramsey.com) To learn more about the specifics go here: http://www.myfico.com/CreditEducation/WhatsInYourScore.aspx

Your credit score is based on these 5 things: Types of Credit (10%), New Credit (10%), Length of Credit (15%), Amount Owed (30%), & Payment History (35%).

So- get a Credit Card, get bills in your name, don't do it all at once, keep in good standing as long as you do it, don't get too much credit for the amount of $ you make, and always pay on time or early.

Then once your credit score is good and you get a good mortgage rate, cut that crap up and pay cash for everything and Bank on Yourself! That is how the rich get richer.

....like I said though- just my $.02

[Blackedout]

If you have been admitted to college, applied for dorms, and paid your first tuition payment you can get a credit card in 10 minutes at the bank. I went to wellsfargo and established credit with those three things and they verified me in about 10 minutes.. Got my card a week later and haven't used it since! Ballin.

It was $1,000 limit btw.

Edited December 5, 2009 by JDirty96

[BURRITO]

dont do it! use cash...