Signing up for your first credit card is a rite of passage into independence. While it’s tempting to see dollar signs in credit offers that come your way, choosing the right card is not a decision to take lightly. How you use that card can have a big impact on your long-term financial wellness.
But don’t be intimidated: When used correctly, credit cards are a great way to start cultivating a credit score. That number will come in handy when you want to make a larger purchase, such as a home or a car. With all of the credit card options available, use the following steps to determine the best choice for your wallet.
1. Examine your finances
No matter what you’ve been told, a credit card is not “free money.” Before you submit a credit application, you need to be honest with yourself about your financial wellness. Do you have a job and the money to cover the full amount you charge to your card every month? Credit card companies don’t typically verify income through pay stubs or tax returns. However, you will be asked to state how much you make on your application, and providing false information is illegal.
2. Consider your options
As a first-time credit card applicant, card choices will be limited, but options exist to begin building your credit. The simplest method may be to have your parents add you as an authorized user to their credit card account. As you accumulate a credit history, your parents can monitor purchases and teach you how to properly use the card. While this is especially beneficial for those under 18, who aren’t eligible for their own card, there is no maximum age restriction on becoming an authorized user.
If this isn’t realistic, consider getting started with a secured card. It determines your credit limit based on a deposit made from your checking or savings account. This guarantees you will have the money to pay off your balance.
If you’re enrolled in college, research student credit cards, which typically feature no annual fees and low annual percentage rates.
A first-timer’s guide to choosing a credit card
3. Evaluate annual fees
Some credit cards have an annual fee – basically, a membership cost that can range from $0 to $500. In general, the higher the annual fee, the greater the benefits. Think: travel insurance, more cash back or points, and no foreign transaction fees, to name a few. As a first-timer, those perks might not outweigh the yearly cost for the card, especially with so many $0-annual-fee options.
4. Understand APR
The annual percentage rate is perhaps the most important element to understand when it comes to credit cards. Simply put, this interest number is the cost you pay to charge purchases to your card.
Let’s say you carry a balance of $1,000 on your card and your APR is 25 percent. That means you’ll be charged $250 (1,000 x .25) in interest alone over the course of a year. Pay off your balance in full every month, and you won’t have to worry about interest charges. However, allowing those charges to build can spell trouble for your financial wellness.
While you can’t completely avoid APRs, look for cards that are generous to first-time users. Some cards offer a 0 percent introductory APR, followed by a low 11.99 to 23.99 percent APR after the first 20 billing cycles.
5. Consider the rewards
One perk of using a credit card for purchases, as opposed to a debit card, is the rewards you can rack up every time you swipe. Think about the rewards that make the most sense for your life. They may help you pick the right card – and benefit your overall financial wellness.
If you travel a lot, consider a card that exchanges dollars spent for airline miles. But if you want to maximize your rewards potential beyond travel, a cash-back card might be the way to go.
There are more options – find the best fit for you. Or brush up on the importance of maintaining good credit health.
Equal Housing Lender