| You're finally out in the real world and you | | | | multitude of hidden charges. The best place |
| probably want to buy a car or a house of your | | | | to start is with the APR and compare those. |
| own. You might think that it would be easy, | | | | Many people gloss over the fine print because |
| considering you don't have any bad credit; | | | | at first glance it seems like a nuisance to |
| but, you don't have any good credit either. | | | | wade through. Try to read it anyway. You will |
| You don't have any credit history at all - | | | | find that there is information in there that |
| period. You might think that this wouldn't | | | | will save you money in the long run. Credit |
| work against you, but it will. | | | | companies don't want to hear "I didn't know", |
| | | | not when they can point back to the small |
| Future creditors need to see some kind of | | | | print and tell you it was right there when |
| record that reflects your ability to pay back | | | | you signed your name to the agreement. |
| a loan. Without that many places are | | | | |
| reluctant to give you a loan for a car or a | | | | When you use your first credit card there are |
| house. So what is the best way to begin to | | | | some rules that you should follow. You should |
| establish your credit? You will have to start | | | | always shred your receipts, and also shred |
| with getting a credit card and making a few | | | | any credit card offers that you are not |
| purchases on that to show that you are | | | | considering. Do not ever give your credit |
| capable of paying back a loan in a timely | | | | card number over the phone unless you are the |
| manner. | | | | one who initiated the phone call to the |
| | | | company that you are ordering things from, or |
| When deciding which credit card to start | | | | trying to get a bill paid. |
| with, you should sit down and evaluate some | | | | |
| things about yourself. For instance, are you | | | | Keep the customer service numbers of all of |
| someone who procrastinates? Do you have | | | | your credit cards in a safe place. Sometimes |
| steady income that will allow you to pay the | | | | companies will send you a new card and it |
| bills? Why do you want a credit card in the | | | | will get lost in the mail, an automated |
| first place? | | | | system will ask for your information before |
| | | | it will let you proceed, however, if you |
| It is very important to be honest with | | | | don't have a customer service number, you |
| yourself when you answer these questions | | | | will have to wait until your next bill comes |
| because it is easy to get into a hole that | | | | in. You would think that calling the store |
| you can't crawl out from. Even if you feel | | | | would help, but incompetence runs rampant in |
| like you are the most irresponsible person on | | | | all parts of the world. |
| earth, but you still want a credit card, a | | | | |
| good one to get is the American Express green | | | | You may be able to put off getting a credit |
| card. The Amex card has to be paid off every | | | | card for a little while, but in the end there |
| month, and you may be willing to spend less | | | | is no avoiding it. The only thing you can do |
| if you know that there is not going to be a | | | | is know your limits and not spend outside of |
| balance you can carry over. | | | | it. With a credit card it is easy to say |
| | | | you'll buy now and worry about the bill |
| Trying to find the right credit card for you | | | | later, but you have to make sure you have to |
| can be a confusing process. You have to take | | | | money to pay the bill when it does come in. |
| into consideration the APR, annual fees and a | | | | |