What first credit card should i apply for? help?

[Merry]

Contrary to what a lot of people think (and will tell you on here), some student credit cards can be quite easy to get IF you're a college student, at least 18 years old, with at least a part time job. Before applying for a card, you should make sure that you already have a savings (not just checking) account. Not only does it look better on the application, but you should get in the habit of paying yourself first.

Applying for any card (whether you're accepted or not) will put a small ding on your credit rating. If you apply for lots of different cards, those dings will add up. This is why it's good to research first which issuer is likely to approve you.

Also, I want to point out that you should never get a card because you “need” one. But, if you're interested in one to build a good credit score, I will tell you that Discover is known for being one of the easier cards to get for college students – and they have wonderful 24/7 customer service (which I think is especially nice for a first card when you're likely to have more questions).

My daughter has a student Discover card and loves it. Wait until you have a form of income and then if you use her referral link here: https://www.discovercard.com/cardmembers...5_1483120, you'll get $50 cashback bonus when you make your first purchase and you'll get cashback bonuses for everything that you purchase. The cashback is always a minimum of 1%. However; every three months there are different categories that pay 5% cashback.

There's no annual fee and the APR (annual percentage rate) is fairly good for a first card. But, it really doesn't matter how much the APR is if you pay your balance in full each month. As long as you pay in full, you'll never pay interest. That's important to remember!!

If you use a credit card wisely, it can be a great tool. But, you can also ruin your credit, so whichever card you end up getting, just be certain to use it the right way. Use it for convenience (paying at the pump, making reservations online, etc.) and to build credit. Don't use it to buy something that you can't afford.

Use it at least once a month for something that you need to buy anyway (gas, food, etc.). Set that money aside immediately so that you have the full amount when the statement arrives.

Pay in full, but don't pay before the statement prints. If you pay before your cycle closes, then “zero” could be reported to the credit bureau as your usage, which won't help your credit score at all. Keep your utilization at, or below, 30% of your available credit to develop the best credit score. In other words, if you have a $500 limit on your card, it's best if you don't have more than $150 in use when your cycle closes.

Just don't let temptation to get to you!! It's too easy to spend money that you don't have. Be smart, and a credit card can be a wonderful tool, both to help build credit and for convenience.