Comments on: What credit card is good to sign up for?

By: David D

David D — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:14:22 +0000

Plenty of good advice here.

By: mom2babycolin

mom2babycolin — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:54:45 +0000

Whatever you do, stay the HELL away from Chase bank, Chase credit cards, JPMorgan Chase, Chase ANYTHING! Also stay away from MBNNA. We’ve had a LOT of problems with these two companies not only providing bad service and violating their own agreements, but also putting mistakes to our credit report that are a headache to fix.

Reputable companies include:
-CapitalOne
-Discover (my husband got a 0% one in college that still has this nonexistant rate for purchases)
-AT&T Universal (mom has this one, she likes it a lot but high late fees)
-CitiBank

Shop around online and through the mail offers for the best ones. Don’t just get the first one that comes along.

By: songman

songman — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:21:08 +0000

sounds like you know already which one. and DO make it just one. look for the lowest interest rate you can get, and watch for the number of days grace period allowed on repayment of new purchases.
if you are even a day late on your payments (which need to be at least double the minimum due each month if you don’t want to end up in debt forever for the love of a few possessions).
do use your card for things you need (groceries, new socks) and NOT for things you want (drumsets, Ipods).
that low introductory interest rate will soar in no time flat if you go late on payments, or if you exceed your limit. best to keep your balance at UNDER 50% the credit limit. that means 499 against 1000. NOT 500 against 1000. believe it or not that one dollar difference will mean a lot to lenders you might need.
pay cash for everything you can, and each payday pay yourself first. put something, anything into savings and leave it there for emergencies or better yet cash downpayment on a new or used car you may need, or more importantly a mortgage.
don’t mess up your life (as i did) by going over your credit limit, or getting overextended with needless extra cards.
destroy with joy ANY offers that come in the mail as pre-approved or pre-qualified. they are all a sham. read that fine print. the few exceptions to that are cards endorsed by reputable companies like AAA and the like. good luck, muchacho! (or muchacha — i didn’t catch your gender.)
oh, as to which card? check your local AAA office.

By: Jay K

Jay K — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:00:34 +0000

I was a college grad with a good credit score and a good job and I got a few credit cards. I was a great customer — charged a lot, paid them on time, but never in full. Good customers get perks, like higher credit lines. Before too long, I had three cards and over $60,000 of available credit. I never charged that much, but somehow managed to get about $32,000 in debt. I made good money… but it’s never enough (especially when credit is handy). Almost 10 years later, I am still paying them off (but getting close). If I never racked up that debt, I guarantee I would be VERY well off right now, with a savings, some stocks, a better car, etc. My advice… get an AmEx card. It gives you the credit, if you need it, but you are forced to pay it off within 30 days. It won’t be as much fun, and you won’t get everything you want when you want it, but trust me, as much as you will feel like you are suffering while your friends are charging the newest gadgets and toys, in 5-10 years, they will be bitching about their credit card bills, while you will be putting that down payment on the house of your dreams!

By: stringfellow

stringfellow — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:11:21 +0000

It’s different for everyone. If you graduated college with good credit, you are already ahead of the game. DON’T take anything with an APR of more than about 12%. And for God’s sake, don’t use it unless you can pay off your balance every month! I had a platinum mastercard from Chase that had a 5.9% APR, from 1998 until 2003. When my debt started to get high, they raised me about 1.5 points a month, until my card was at 16.99%. If your credit score is good, then you already have a credit card. Don’t get another one. Every time you apply for a credit card, they check your credit, which can actually LOWER your score.

By: Heatmizer

Heatmizer — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:48:08 +0000

First, know that although some others have said credit cards are evil, they are mistaken. The wrongful use of credit cards is what causes trouble. The best one I have found is the Citi “rewards” card that gives you 5% cash back on gas stations, grocery stores and drug stores, also 1% cash back on all other purchases.. as long as you pay off you FULL ballance each month, it is a great deal.. especially with gas prices the way they are now… goto to apply…

By: ohms from phil

ohms from phil — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:47:58 +0000

None all of them are the same…. its a money generated income my dear!

By: wendyc222

wendyc222 — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:22:41 +0000

Credit cards are evil! Use cash! It’s all a ploy to take all of our money and keep us poor! Resist, my friend! Resist the temptation to use credit! LOL!

By: ♫believer♪

♫believer♪ — Sun, 10 May 2009 22:39:51 +0000

American Express

By: levans020

levans020 — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:14:23 +0000

If you have to I have Capital One. (Credit cards are evil)

By: livingdeadsam

livingdeadsam — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:20:46 +0000

NONE.

But if you must, get one that gives you something, like airline miles. Pay the balance in full every month.