Credit cards can be ok if you're good with your money.



If you let it get out of hand it will mess you up for years.

what mike said^



i've got one, but i only use it for buying stuff from the internet and that

what mike & james said^



I got a mortgage no problem, & Ive hardly ever used my credit card.

If you want to build up good credit, but you're not really going to be buying anything with a credit card, you might consider getting a gas card for whichever gas station you go to most. You can pay at the pump (convenient!) and as long as you pay your bill on time, build up your credit (beneficial!) without there really being the risk of going out of control and spending money you don't have. Unless you go on a gasoline-buying spree, I guess.

I had a BP card for years before I got a real all-purpose credit card and built up a great credit rating without really knowing it.

See thats the thing I dont actually need a credit card, for one I dont have money or an income and UK debit cards work like credit cards in the sense that I can buy stuff online.



But I'm worried that by not having a credit card I'd be screwing myself over later in life when I actually need one.

I got a mortgage and I have never had a credit card... It may help, I don't know. What I do know is that I can't be trusted with one.

I was really good with mine, then I got out of hand with it when I went overseas. I didn't pay off my debt for two years, mostly because I kept adding to it, but now I'm debt free and I use it and can pay it off immediately so it's fine.

i say only get a credit card if you can pay it all off every month. i only use mine to buy gas, so my bill only ends up being a little over $100/mo. i use my debit for everything else.

Getting a gas card sounds like a great idea, maybe I should look into that. I'm like you, stubs, I've never had a credit card ever and keep thinking about getting one. If you're good with your money and you've never had one, I think it would be a good idea to get one. I've heard that it's good to at least keep a small balance on the card at all times... it helps build your credit faster. My guy got one a while ago, and it's really helping his credit out.

if you get one and don't use it i don't think it'll help your credit rating. i think it's the same if you do use it and pay it all off every month.

Nasmo I'll look into that but I'm not sure the UK has gas cards (though canada might) right now I dont actually buy gas because I use my mums car and she covers it but when I move out to canada I'll be buying one straight away.



As for going out of control with the credit card, I doubt that would happen I hate being in debt under normal circumstance I dont spend more than I have so I think I'd be ok with one.

i've never had a problem with my credit card. i know how much money i have, so i only use my card if i know i'm able to pay it off each month.

I have bad credit because I'm too stupid to pay my mobile bill on time. I don't even use it, I should cancel it. It's probably hurting my chances of getting a more expensive phone contract if i have to in the future.

Right now I'm thinking I should probably hold off on the credit card until I've cleared my debt with my parents, got money saved for living and booked my flight for canada.



Oh and John I can totally relate to spending alot of money abroad it just sort of happens, my situation wasnt helped that my student loan didnt cover the total cost of accomodation and living expenses which is how I ended up with a large debt but right now my spendings down to nothing and as soon as I get a job I should be back on track.

hey phil, i had the same plan. i couldn't get one last year because i had no credit (sup catch22) and the economy sucks...but i think ill try again this year.

one random purchase each month of like $20, or whether it be from a restaurant, internet purchase, whatever, will be charged to the card, and ill just pay it off each month.

years and years down the road, when i need credit, ill have perfect (hopefully) credit!



does anyone know if cell-phone bills help your credit? or car insurance? ive been paying those on time forever.

my aunt and uncle pay for everything they can on their credit card, and of course pay it off every month. they end up gettting free airplane tickets to hawaii every year.

If you're looking for a mortgage later on make sure you're registered on the electoral roll, it's just as important as a credit history.

I VOTED



j.baboon, that's so awesome. the rewards are real! i'd try that, but im scared of majorly fucking up.