I got my first credit card today.

Bug-Eyed Earl · Post by **Bug-Eyed Earl** » 2003-11-17 08:19pm

So it now sits in my dresser drawer, awaiting use, however faint that possibilty my be.

I'm treating my new Mastercard as an "In case of emergency, break glass," type of thing, though if I am ever too impatient to get something through the mail via check or money order, I might use it then.

But other than that, I'm playing it safe.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2003-11-17 08:25pm

Use your plastic for good, not evil.

Soontir C'boath · Post by **Soontir C'boath** » 2003-11-17 09:00pm

Yea I'd like to take that direction too. It's pissing me off right now that my mom continues to pay the min. fee. The balance is not going down if we keep doing that and I'm just annoyed.~Jason

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-11-17 09:14pm

Learn from Uncle TPJ. Don't use it to buy a game system when you dont have a job.

My first credit card had $300 dollar limit, that was in 1990 I think. So I went out and bought a Genesis.

Trytostaydead · Post by **Trytostaydead** » 2003-11-17 10:15pm

Remember.. when purcashing online porn, always make sure what your statement will say

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2003-11-17 10:25pm

Meh. I pay for everything in cash. Much simpler that way.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2003-11-17 11:05pm

Use a budget. I have one with a specific entertainment budget so I don't spend more than I can afford to.

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2003-11-17 11:22pm

I had 2 credit cards at one point. On one of them the bank kept raising the limit for some reason, after a few years with the card I was at the point where I could buy a brand new Mercedes on the credit card. They also gave me a line of credit that was worth as much as my house, it was just fucking unreal. I got rid of that card after I changed banks.

The only card I have now has a limit equal to my monthly income, makes it easy to pay off even if I max it out, which hasn't come close to happening yet.

Patrick Degan · Post by **Patrick Degan** » 2003-11-18 12:58am

Congratulations, for you have started upon that Golden Road of easy, mindless consumerism that will lead you to debt-slavery, fights with your loved ones over money, and eventually the Bankruptcy Couirt. But fear not, for will be be offered even more credit even after the civil sheriff is tagging all your property for auction, for verily it has become the prime commandment of our age that Thou Shalt Spend. Existence, as we know it, absolutely depends upon thy charge.

brothersinarm · Post by **brothersinarm** » 2003-11-18 01:22am

I had 2 credit cards at one point. On one of them the bank kept raising the limit for some reason, after a few years with the card I was at the point where I could buy a brand new Mercedes on the credit card. They also gave me a line of credit that was worth as much as my house, it was just fucking unreal. I got rid of that card after I changed banks.

The only card I have now has a limit equal to my monthly income, makes it easy to pay off even if I max it out, which hasn't come close to happening yet.

Don't you just hate banks that does that? It's like they're daring you to just spend it all.

:):)

InnerBrat · Post by **InnerBrat** » 2003-11-18 04:18am

I have two credit cards - one from my bank and a low credit limit, high interest rate one I got when my bank first rejected me.

I use them whenever I would normally use switch, for the airmiles more than anything, and I pay them off completely every month.

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2003-11-18 03:17pm

Credit cards are evil, now the man can track your spending and send you tailored junk mail.

If i really feel the need to use a credit card i'd use someone elses.

The Dude · Post by **The Dude** » 2003-11-18 03:29pm

I have a no-fee dividend card (a percentage of total purchases is refunded to my account at the end of the year - I got married this year so I will be getting back hundreds of dollars), so I use it for everything I can. However, come hell or high water, I pay off the balance in full every month.

If you're diligent, credit cards are very useful for covering short-term cash shortages; as long as you pay off the balance, it's interest-free. When you include things like dividends or Air Miles, you can actually profit from their use.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2003-11-18 04:09pm

Citibank is my mortal enemy. They gave me a gold card with a $5000 limit when i was 18. when i didn't spend enough and always paid my bills on time they upped it to a platinum with a $25000 limit 6 months later. Lets just say i learned my lesson and now only use credit cards when i absolutely have to. Smart people learn from their mistakes, the truly wise learn from the mistakes of others. think of that when tempted to charge a 36" television.