Your mom, your dad and even your teachers generally have your best interests in mind. The companies that offer you college student credit cards? Not so much. These people have their pocketbooks in mind, and you're a means to a big fat paycheck.
Remember that when you're considering credit card offers. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A college credit card isn't necessarily a bad idea, but it's not something you want to jump into and it's not something you should do without the advice of mom and dad. You can't just trust the word of the people who are pushing the cards.
Not All Cards are Created Equal
When looking at which college student credit cards you should apply for, compare them carefully. If a rewards card is what you're after, choose one with a low interest rate and a rewards program geared towards your needs. Just because a card has your fraternity's or sorority's crest on it does not mean it's the right card for you.
No Spending Sprees
When you do get your hands on one or two college student credit cards, do not use them as a license to spend. You're going to have enough debt when you get out of school. Adding unnecessary credit card charges to that debt can have a significant impact on your financial future. Now is the time to start spending wisely, even if you've been a bit spendthrift in the past.
No Sharing
Ever since kindergarten we were taught to share with our friends. You're in college now. The rules have changed. Credit cards are not something to be shared. If your friends need to use a card, let them get one of their own. The moment you lend out your card you become responsible for everything your friends put on it. Unless you're willing to pay off that debt for them, you need to keep your credit card in your own wallet.
Credit cards are a new world for many college students. As with many new experiences, mistakes are commonly made. Keep the above tips in mind if you want to avoid the most common mistakes made with college student credit cards.
Average College Student Credit Card Debt
Sending your child to college can be quite exhausting. If you have a child who studies on a college or university in another state, the distance between you and him/her means that you cannot always look out for his/her needs. You are aware that college studies are expensive nowadays yet you need to ensure that all the needs of your child are provided while he/she is attending college. Thus, such responsibility despite financial difficulties will compel you to do the best that you can to help him/her, and one of the effective ways to that would be getting him/her a college student credit card.
The issue regarding the use of credit cards for college students is not surprising. In fact, at the start of each semester of the academic year, there are many college students who receive spam emails saying that they are "pre-approved" for their college credit cards once they have decided to get one from these bogus credit card companies. Sometimes, they cannot resist on these marketing gimmicks.
As a parent, it is your responsibility to explain to your children the ins and outs of owning a college student credit card-the responsibilities and the consequences that they may face if they go over the limit of their college student credit card and failing to pay their financial obligations on time. It is time that you should be sitting down with your child and make them aware of the things that are attached with this type of credit cards.
So what are the best options for a college student credit card for your child? You may start on those credit cards with modest spending limit. Keep in mind that you will be the one to pay for their credit balances anyway, thus it is ideal if you will provide them college student credit cards with minimum credit limit.
Probably you want to take the option of getting lower APR or annual percentage rate instead of APR that are a little bit higher. However, it is recommended that you select a little bit higher APR so that you will be able to save substantial amounts of money later on. For instance, the introductory period for low APR will just last from 6 months to one year. After that, what's next? Much higher APR, which can probably increase by as much as 100 to 150 percent of the introductory APR? If that will just be the case, it is much better to look for college student credit cards that have APR a little bit higher for the first year yet consistent on the succeeding years.
It will just be a disadvantage on your part if you will get college student credit card for your child that offers rewards or financial incentives. It will just entice your child to make more and more purchases using such card, which will result on financial burden of paying for high accumulated credit balances. In addition, it is better if you will get credit cards that can be managed online so that you will be able to see what your child is doing with his/her credit card and know if their credit account is now in trouble (the credit balance almost exceeds the prescribed credit limit).
Providing the needs of your child going to college is not as easy as giving them the college student credit card that they need. The most important thing here is the responsibility that comes in owning it. After all, you will make them realize that you are still the one who will pay for their credit card expenditures, isn't it?
Both Sean Masterson & Aaron Ballantyne are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sean Masterson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Debt Reduction Consolidation, Credit Cards and Student Credit Cards. For more tips on , saving money and avoiding getting taken, check out CreditCardWhizKid.com, a website that specializes in. Sean Masterson's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Aaron Ballantyne has sinced written about articles on various topics from Business Credit Cards, Credit Cards and Student Credit Cards. Aaron Ballantyne writes about a variety of topics online and has a website with offers.. Aaron Ballantyne's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
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