How can i use a Credit Card to My Advantage?

I need to know how i can use it to my advantage. I'm 18 years old and it is my first credit card. I don't know exactly how they work but can you give me some tips on how it could be used for my benefit. I know that they help build credit. But how do i do it successfully without ending up in debt. Where can i get them and does it cost anything at all just to get one or have one? Or do i only have to pay when i buy something? How long does it take to get good credit? Your help with this one would be invaluable to me as i now head out into the real world as a new adult. Thank you very much.


-Mr. Brightside|||the closer and sleel gave good advice, but if i may add a couple of fact if u want to build credit.


1. dont ever charge more then 50% of account credit limit.


2. pay on time, and more then minimum if possible.


3. never be late.


4. and to have a good credit score VERY IMPORTANT


ONLY 2 CREDIT CARDS--THATS IT NO MORE THEN THAT.





the above facts are not my opinion but rather the advise of a financial advisor. beleive me it is true.





EVEN IF U HAVE 6 CARDS PAID ON TIME, IT IS A NEGATIVE TO HAVE MANY ACCOUNTS.


when u start your life you will see that not only your credit cards, but unpaid utilities, and medical bills and other debts will appear on credit report. not to mention student loans.





so


please 2 card max. pic wisely and enjoy.


wish someone would have told me this when i attended college.





and lastly dont apply for those high intrest cards that give you a t-shirt or a set of pens, just for applying. and since you are starting out dont get secured cards(they should be last resort and they are good for those that want to repair bad credit and very costly)





one more thing, when they run your credit to see if they want to give you a card, too many of those inquires also show as negative on your report and can lower your credit score. that is why i said to chose a card wisely. if you are not sure if you would be elegeble to recieve a card, a safe bet would to start out with macy's. they always give people without credit at least 100 to 300 to start with (that does not mean you should use the whole 100.) remember you can always pay part credit and part cash for your purchase.





good luck|||It is better for your credit rating if you do not pay off all your balance at once, but always try to pay more than the minimum payment due. Don't buy anything with your credit card that you don't need.|||I'll give you the short answer because you are young. I'm going to assume that you don't have 6 figures in your checking accout. If that was the case, this advice would be altered.





Use the card once a month. Buy something cheap, and send a payment in right away. This will help you establish credit, without building up debt. DO NOT USE YOUR CARD FOR ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN'T PAY FOR RIGHT AWAY. That's how you get yourself into a hole you can't get out of.








The answers to your other questions will be found in the disclosures that were sent you with the card, because the answers vary from card to card.|||start out with small limits, and get "gas" cards... they can be good for starters,,,,, put the fuel for the month on them,,,, and pay them off every month. and when you get a credit card...


buy small items,,,, and pay them off quick,,,, to avoid all the interest that can get stacked on top over time.





its a great way to get yer credit score up.... which will lead to higher limits and less interest rates.|||Do not charge more than 35% on each of your cards. Pay more than they ask, and every 6 months ask for a credit line increase. But as most people your age will find out, you end up spending it all and then get yourself in serious debt. Thats how the credit card companies operate.|||Lear how to manage your credit cards effectively:





Credit Card Debt Management


http://www.debt-explained.com/category/C鈥?/a>|||Do I Need That Credit Card?





I found an article to answer your question...|||Credit cards can be used to your advantage by buying items now and not having to pay for them until your monthly credit card bill comes to you. In order to maintain excellent credit history, you should pay off your credit card bill in full each month. That's the tricky part because its very tempting to pay only part of your bill and wait until the next month's bill(s) to pay the remaining amount. And when you don't pay your credit bill in full, you're charged interest on the balance. So you end up paying more for the item you bought. Every credit card has different interest rates, terms, etc. Try to find a credit card with a low interest rate and no annual fee.