
strangershvegoodcandy
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The first thing I would recommend, b/c this will be your first card, is to try to apply for a gas station card. This will limit your purchase to fuel and whatever they have there. Credit cards can be very dangerous, especially when they have a high limit. Be careful! If you are refused there, then I would suggest trying via your bank. Just remember that each time you apply, your credit is reviewed and it goes against you. Good luck! |
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Steph
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Most major credit card companies have special offers for college students. You shouldn't have any problem getting approved for one of those. I know that Bank of America has some decent student cards. If you do end up going with a store credit card be very careful and don't charge any more to it than you can afford to payoff at the end of the month becuase store credit cards have outrageous interest rates on them. |
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Amanda H
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You might want somewhere like Orchard Bank-- they're made for low/no credit. make a few payments and then try the store cards.
Just keep in mind, you'll get an annual fee from a lot of the low/no credit cards. |
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lu-e
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i got my first credit card thru sears....and another at jc pennys... just make sure to pay them off as soon as the bill arives, so you dont have to pay high interest rates. |
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Sarah K
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Do you have a job? Being unemployed can be a problem. If you plan on going to college, try to get one then. If not, you can ask your bank for a small loan and pay it off. Getting a gas card should be another step that would be pretty easy. Just pay off IN FULL every month. I got my first credit card when I was 20 but was turned down when I was 18 and just starting college because I had no record... I got a $750 credit card from my bank (would have been $500 if I were a freshman) and the limit goes up by $250 each year. From the credit I have now, I can get more cards and I'm sure I could call the bank and ask for a higher credit limit, but I like having 12% APR and the highest credit score of my friends... and I don't want to have a higher limit than I have money in the bank, but it isn't a secured card.)
Oh! You could try a secured credit card... it works much like a debit card, except it actually counts on your credit report as a cc! Debit cards look and act like credit cards, but if someone gets the number, your money's gone until the investigation's done... that zero or $50 liability is only after all is said and done and in the meantime, you're outta luck! With credit cards, you just call up the company, tell them there's been unauthorized activity, wait for a replacement card and don't pay that part of the debt. |
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JD
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If you have a bank account and a debit card, as stated above see if your bank will also make it credit for you. Because at 18 you may be able to get a credit card but the reality is this - $300 credit limit, you will pay almost $200 just to process the card and will be left with only $100 to start. Lets say you rack up the $100, now you will have to pay on $300 which only $100 you spent yourself. Highly recommend you start with your bank. Banks, good, Credit Card Co. - baaad. |
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juli o
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Which Card is Right for You?
The answer to the above question depends on the whether the card is the first, second or third card.
For FIRST Credit Card
Here the card choice depends on your selection of the bank whose credit card you want to use or your most preferred promotional offer, without giving a thought to the brand on the card. Other than that, there is no difference between the two. |
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123..WAIT!
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I got my first card when I was 17, my step mom co-signed for me...I learned pretty quick that you can charge about $300 in about 5 minutes....but it will take years to pay for that little shopping spree at "Everything but Water" soooo....let that be a lesson to you, when you get it, take is slow and easy, because you don't want to be paying for a bunch of out of style clothes 5 years after their gone....Good Luck, if you learn that early, you can have many years of good credit, and when you REALLY want SOMETHING....that is when it matters most....(like a car or house or big screen TV....) |
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jenn79
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try capital one. |
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jay
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I was (am) 21 when I got my first credit card and everyone denied me becuase I had to credit but I went to Borders and they approved me, so maybe you could try there. |
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Joker1234
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Try first premier or a department store...make sure you have a checking account with a debit card that has a visa/mastercard logo on it...(that's what helped me get my first card). BE CAREFUL though...I know your excited but it is to easy to get way in over your head!!!! |
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Shawna C
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either first premier, capitol one or bank of marin they all offer beginner credit cards |
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First Lady
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My first CC was with Capital One Mastercard when I was 18. |
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copterfixer2006
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thats the problem major department store cards are the hardest to get. You have better luck lieing to a major CC company and telling them you are a college student thats how i got my first credit card. Within 3 years i had enough credit to buy a house. Also perhaps try getting a gas station credit card. |
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Brownie-Girl
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Try citibank, discover, chase. These were some of my first credit card. Don't be discourage if you get denied, keep trying at the same ones, they bound to give to you. Each time you apply someone different will review your application, so good luck! |
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CluelessOne
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Do you have a debit card? If so, ask your bank to make it a debit/credit card. It works the same as your debit card (if there's no money in your account you can't use it as credit)......everytime you use it ask the merchant to run it as credit and not debit..........that way you aren't using anyone's money but your own and you won't go into to debt - at the same time building credit.
Good Luck!! Ü |
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CIC
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You shouldn't. Having "good credit" just means you have paid lots of interest to creditors. It is NOT a good thing, no matter what b.s. banks & broke people are telling you. Please go to the website below to find out how to live debt-free & have a life. DH & I have been using Dave's plan for years. We have NO credit cards & have never been happier or in better shape financially. |
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