When'd you get your first CC?

[GoldenBear]

I'm thinking about getting a CC now, but I really don't think I'll be able to control myself, and the last thing I want to do is to be in debt going out of high school. At the same time if I do get one, and charge minimal stuff on it, and pay my bills on time and everything, will my credit be better?

So how's everyone here's experience with CC's?

 

[Windogg]

First one at age 17. Never held a balance in 6 yeras. Credit history is 100% clean which has helped alot when renting apartments, looking for jobs, and lowering interest rates.

Windogg

 

[krazykilluh]

When I got my first CC I really couldn't control myself. I just kept writing and compiling code all day without regard to food, water or hygene. Eventually I passed out due to thirst and my mom took me to the hospital.

I'm warning you guys, be careful when you get your first C compiler or you may end up dead.

 

[fragarific]

1st cc in my name was one year ago. I think i'm alright, i pay every month. I laugh all the way to the trash can when they send me cash advance checks! I like online payment, it feels weird though. I could imagine it taking a while for an elder to try it.

 

[IBhacknU]

I had a dept. store card when I was 16... never carried a balance on it. Applied for and recieved an AMEX when I turned 18 (but cut it up cause the annual fee).

CC's are good to establish good credit. As was noted, this will come in handy in the future. You SHOULD get one if you can control yourself. Pay your balance in FULL each month. Remember, just because you have a $1000 credit card doesn't mean you have $1000.

Don't spend money you don't have. It's the beginning of a downward spiral

 

[The Stigenator]

My first card was at age 18, when I joined college. When you are in college, lots of compaines give you (as a student) card very easily.
I have 3 credit cards, two from visa, one from amex. My bills are paid on time always. I try not to charge more than I can pay back. That is a good rule to keep. There is no use buying something you cant afford. Keeping that rule I always pay it in full. Only once have I had to break teh payments up into two (but that was because somethign came up and I didnt have enough to pay it in full).

Credit cards are good to put things off, but when shopping for credit cards makes sure that its got "no annual fee, if there is one not more than 40 bucks", "25 day grace period". The APR doesnt bother me because I dont keep balences.

anyway check this link out:

Teen Advice Online . Org - Establishing Credit

Edit:
Be smart in balencing your payments, I keep track of my accounts (bank/credit cards) regularly, so I know where to spend money from (which account) even though it may look like I am not in a good position. Right now I am going thru my bank account I have give my credit cards a rest for 2 months (0 balence), the only one I got to pay is a 1400 dollar bill (on my amex) for my airline tickets that I would pay tommorow. After which I am pretty much clean, so on my vacation I dont have to be hasseled with bill payments knowing its all payed and I can spend like mad rat.. ofcourse when I get back it will be back to the same cycle.. pay pay pay.

 

[Demosthenes]

I'm only 16 and got a check card this summer. It's great.. works exactly like a Visa card, but if the cash isn't in your cheking account.. you can't spend it! hah! So I don't have to worry about charging up a huge bill.. best of both worlds.