**POLL** What's an appropriate age to get your first credit card?

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Wapp

Golden Member
Jun 5, 2003
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I got my first and only one when I was 19. USAA did good by me. They gave me a low limit just enough to buy stuff off newegg and make hotel reservations but not enough to hang myself with.
 
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ghostman

Golden Member
Jul 12, 2000
1,819
1
76
I can't imagine why someone wouldn't want a credit card. As long as you pay in full, you'll build excellent credit and allow your cash to earn interest in a bank, without it costing a dime. Not to mention bonuses like cash back, air miles and other point systems. And the convenience and security can't be beat.

If you can't manage your money though, it's probably best not to get one.

EDIT: 18
 
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BMdoobieW

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
3,166
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76
18 - When you go away to college you need to order stuff online and mommy and daddy aren't there to let you use their credit card.
 
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akubi

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
4,392
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even if you don't need one, you should get one early as possible. longer you stay with a cc provider, the better the perks and better your credit history looks (as long as you don't go into debt)...
 
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tami

Lifer
Nov 14, 2004
11,588
3
81
i got my first credit card when i was 16 under my parents name as i was driving the car and needed it for gas and emergency expenses.

since i did not have any money, i continued until age 21 on my credit card in my parents name. eventually, i got my own credit card at age 21 under my own name.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,942
403
136
Try renting a car or hotel room without a credit card.

It is possible but it isn't a walk in the park.
 
EvilYoda

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
I got mine at 16 with my mom as a co-signer...she watched my spending habits and helped to establish my credit before I left for college. I'm surprised I'm the first to vote 16.
 
kitkat22

kitkat22

Golden Member
Feb 10, 2005
1,464
1,332
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Credit cards can be great and they can be evil, it all depends on how you use it. If you think of it as a debit card you would probably do fine using one. However, if you plan on carrying any sort of balance you are going to be screwed through interest and payments that never end. The only way I would say to get a credit card at 18 is if you can do the former and you are the one making the payments. My kids aren't going to be mooching off me to have me pay off their high-end credit. As long as I tell them the downfalls of messing up their credit that mistake belongs to them. (yeah, it sounds mean, but if I tell them enough times I won't pay for it, maybe they won't do it.)
 
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GuileVsGuile

Member
Feb 16, 2005
189
0
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Originally posted by: FoBoT
poll needs more options for older choices, like 25 or 30
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I'd say by 30, you should have already gotten one, or a few for that matter...I'm talking about average conventional living. I realize some people can get by just fine w/o one, but i'm sure their lifestyle must deviate from the norm..but, since you asked...
 
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akubi

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
4,392
1
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Originally posted by: akubi
even if you don't need one, you should get one early as possible. longer you stay with a cc provider, the better the perks and better your credit history looks (as long as you don't go into debt)...
Click to expand...

oh yeah you gotta remember that if your cc is linked with your parents, it does nothing to your own credit history. so you have to get your own, independent account if you want to reap the benefits.
 
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Yossarian

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
18,010
1
81
Originally posted by: biostud
Originally posted by: eigen
I am 24 almost 25 and do not have one.
Click to expand...

25 almost 26 still haven't needed one
Click to expand...

foolish. you aren't building credit history and you're missing out on free money from companies like Citibank.
 
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