how do i get a credit card?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
no credit card debt...
 
DeLgAdO;1273191; said:
whats it take to move out anyways besides balls?

Besides balls, financial security/ability to prioritize, also helps to have a couple clean credit cards in case an issue comes up such as home/car repairs/emergencys. Ability to budget if you don't have a super fab high paying job.

IMO you're on the right path I would build some credit, it will definately help you when you move out. You'll need it to even find a place to live but will help obtaining stuff for your place and as backup in case you get in trouble. But IMO the key is obviously not to move out on your own with a high debt to income ratio right away.

Beyond that might also help to look up Suze Orman or pick up one of her books, she deals alot with finanical stuff and might solve some of your questions on credit cards and other financial things. Some of it won't apply to you because alot of it is how to clear existing debt but some is investing/credit cards/school and car loans. She has a show you can catch sometimes on MSNBC.

Also little hint when accepting a credit card always read the terms before accepting the card. Some esp. for people starting out have high annual/activation fees that you don't want to take. You'll have to bite the bullet and accept a card to build credit but shop around when it comes to terms/interest rates to get a decent deal.
 
Im suprised that WaMu denied you...Im 22, with practically no credit. They gave me a 500dollar card last year and didnt charge me a cent of intrest for a year, and even now its extremely low interest. They havent increased my limit but thats alright...anymore and Id dig myself into a pit of debt. Capitol One will probably give you a card....they gave my GF a card when she was 18 and fresh out of HS, without a cent of credit. They are a dirty company if you cant control your charging, because theyll let you get up to around your limit and give you another 500bucks or another grand or whatever.

If you flat out cannot get a card, get a small personal loan in your name....youll probably need a co-signer but its a start at least :)
 
it may be different in the UK but i started with a small loan to buy a motor bike when younger and that got me on the credit ladder.
since then ive built up a pretty decent credit rating but it can be so easy to lose it so be carefull.
take note of the 3 posts above ...good info
 
ive been building my credit since i was 15. had a secured card like mentioned many times to get the ball rolling. then got a few low amount credit cards n that really got the flow going. within a few more years i had limits of over 5k per card but jus cuz the availibility is there, i wouldn't use much of it lol
 
Get a job where you have to travel. That's how I built up my credit...I would use my own card, then turn in the expense report each month to pay off the card in full. I would spend 500-1000 each month and have it paid off by my company. It helped build my credit up fast.
 
I ran the cell phone route to build my credit, as well as paying bills on a regular basis. After a couple years, I had great credit.
 
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