Student credit card?

Rebeccasarg

Hi there!

I was hoping somebody could help me! I am about to start university and am keen to get a credit card (just in case). I am aware that it is not a wise idea but I wuill be using it wisely and only spending on big items - however, it may take me longer than a month to pay back. I was hoping someone could give me some advice on the nest cards to get as I am pretty clueless!

Thanks

Rebecca:rotfl:

skyrider007

Open a student account if you haven't already got one and you will normally be given a student credit card as part of the package.

Used sensibly, a credit card can be really handy.

Otherwise Capital One will happily issue you a 30%APR classic card provided your credit file is clean.

TrickyDicky

My Advice would be: dont. Its far too easy as a student to spend money, especially in your first year. And what "big items" are you considering purachasing?.

unhappybuuny79

If by Big Things you mena like a computer i would opt for the shops own credit, i know its higher intrest but you cant touch it then, you have to pay it off then its over, with a CC the temptation to go buy that fab new top that would look lovely with those new shoes you saw is always there.

Thats from experiance, i got lots of lovely tops, bottoms, shoes, and the like and a nice big CC bill to prove it too, and i only had one for emergencies and Big items.

RachaelE

It is defiantely advisable not to use a credit card at uni unless you really have to (it is far too easy to take it clothes shopping, as I also learnt. And don't keep it in your wallet - stick it in a drawer where you can forget about it until you need it) But, it is still good to have one for emergencies, providing an emergency doesn't mean really needing a new top to go out in.

If, like you said, you'd only use it for big things, and if you are buying these things in a short time period, you could get a credit card that offers an interest free period. That way, you would give yourself a few months to pay it back - just make sure you do before the introductory period ends!

I got my student credit card from my bank, becasue they offered it to me, but I probably could have got a better one if I'd been a bit more savvy. I got my 'grown up' credit card by using this site:
http://www.fairinvestment.co.uk/credit_card.aspx
which compares every single card on the market, apparently.

You can search by features too, so if you want a 0% deal, then you can look for cards that only do that.

Hope this helps - good luck at uni! :j