Don’t…….. at least not until you read further….

Getting a credit card has responsibilities that go along with it.  So, unless you’re able to take them on, put off getting one until and unless you’re going to adhere to some things which will keep you out of a financial debt nightmare.

This is for your own benefit.

A credit card is a direct link to your Credit Score.  It shows how you handle your expenses and payments of them.  A Credit Score can, in many instances, either get you a car loan, a mortgage, rental apartment, college loan etc….. or not.

There are numerous cards available….. most have ‘rewards’….. perks that keep you spending in order to rack up the miles, or cash back, or whatever else it promotes.

There are also annual fees to some cards….. steer clear of those.

And they all come with rules of their own….. if you don’t adhere to them, what you think you’re getting by using the card can change drastically from what you think.

And they all have very staggering fees …… for not paying the whole balance before the due date there are finance (interest) charges tacked on to your next bill.  If you’re late, even a day late with getting the payment in, there are steep late charges. These charges are a complete waste of money!

So…… Unless you are sure, very sure, you can use the card only if you know you can pay the full bill before the due date, you probably should not open a credit card… yet.

If you do, and pay only a portion, or worse, only the minimum, then be prepared for as much at 27% (and more) interest tacked on the balance you don’t pay.  And each month, it continues to add on, so that eventually, your purchase is only a bit of the bill you’re looking at, and the rest are interest charges, and possibly late fees if you don’t pay on time.

This would be a financial hole you want to definitely avoid.  It’s a nightmare to dig out of.