young and not sure what to do

jamiecalver

hi there, first time posting so forgive me for any mistakes etc.

I'm 18 and this year I become a London Firefighter (in the final weeks of training school). I moved from a small town in East Anglia, so it's for sure been a culture shock.

The biggest shock however is all the 'growing up' I'm currently having to do. A mere 6 months ago I was sitting in a high school classroom preparing for my A Levels, and now I'm sitting in an AirBnb in central London, preparing for my final exams for Fire training school. I've moved out and living in airbnbs until I get my station posting. I've been living off of savings.

I figured I might need a credit card at some point soon. This is because I'm starting to save for my flat etc, and want to start building a credit score for later on life when I might want a house or buying a nice car.

My understanding of credit cards is slim, aside from the fact you have a set limit each month and have to pay it off every month. I was going to use it for my weekly food shops and maybe things like when we go out on Friday's to the pub for a few. This is nothing I wouldn't usually be spending on with my debit.

I don't know if my salary matters for these kind of things (it's public sector so my salary isn't a secret so I don't mind sharing), so here's my salary inc. london weighting: £26,882 and then once I reach competency in about 12 months it goes up to £35,870.

i guess my question is what kind of card should i get, what do i do in regards to paying for it and what kind of things do i use it for?

[Deleted User]

Any card will do. Try aqua, Vanquis or your own bank, one you have an income.

Use it for things you buy anyway, and set up a DD to clear in full each month.

Ignore the credit scores - just focus on staying within your limit and clearing in full.

[Deleted User]

Good luck in your job Jamie and welcome to MSE, have a good look round its full of money saving ideas.

NoodleDoodleMan

A credit card with cashback would suit you.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/cashback-credit-cards/

You'll also need a decent current account with debit card so you can access cash at ATMs and have Direct Debit and/or Standing Order facilities - I always reckon that a bank with a local branch is a good idea, so you can talk to a real person if the needs arises.

Metrobank have a good network in London, for example.

chattychappy

jamiecalver wrote: »

My understanding of credit cards is slim, aside from the fact you have a set limit each month and have to pay it off every month. I was going to use it for my weekly food shops and maybe things like when we go out on Friday's to the pub for a few. This is nothing I wouldn't usually be spending on with my debit.

You sound like a sensible bloke. That's the best way to use it - just buy stuff you'd usually put on a debit card and pay it back in full each month. Don't use it to borrow* - the starter type cards are an expensive way to borrow. It can be tempting if you've spent a few hundred quid and you see on the statement you only have to pay back, say, £30. Many get into trouble because they start living beyond their means and CCs allow you to do that for a few months. But in the end, you run out of credit and the interest that you have to pay on the accumulated debt means your net spending power is reduced.

(* there are CCs that give you 0% on purchases, for example. This can be sensible way to spread the cost of one-off purchases. But usually you have to have had a bit of history to get these.)

gt94sss2

jamiecalver wrote: »

I'm 18 and this year I become a London Firefighter (in the final weeks of training school). I moved from a small town in East Anglia, so it's for sure been a culture shock.

i guess my question is what kind of card should i get, what do i do in regards to paying for it and what kind of things do i use it for?

I assume your permanent address is still in East Anglia. You should use that when applying - you will have difficulties applying if you use a temporary airbnb address.

For your first card, I would simply apply to whichever bank your salary is paid into. Then, once your settled in to your new posting, you can apply for a cashback card as you're more likely to get one then.

Just make sure you set up a direct debit to pay any card in full each month.

As to what to use it for - you're already got the right idea when you said:

I was going to use it for my weekly food shops and maybe things like when we go out on Friday's to the pub for a few. This is nothing I wouldn't usually be spending on with my debit.

You salary helps determine the amount a credit card company will set as your credit limit - the maximum amount you can spend up to on that card.

ampersand

Best wishes in your valuable chosen career, jamiecalver - and welcome to Mse:-)

Your post, and the replies so far, are full of good sense. Well done on your mature thinking.

I have never had/wanted a credit card, but that's my OS colonial upbringing:-)

This, another of mse's excellent mutual support threads, is salutary, while likely to boost your savings mojo.

ampersand

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76

MallyGirl

jamiecalver wrote: »

I figured I might need a credit card at some point soon. This is because I'm starting to save for my flat etc, and want to start building a credit score (you mean history not score - numbers themselves don't matter) for later on life when I might want a house or buying a nice car.

My understanding of credit cards is slim, aside from the fact you have a set limit each month and have to pay it off every month. I was going to use it for my weekly food shops and maybe things like when we go out on Friday's to the pub for a few. This is nothing I wouldn't usually be spending on with my debit.

Please don't take this the wrong way - you may be a very sensible chap all round- but I would not use a credit card in the pub on a Friday night. With London prices and a bit of establishing yourself in a new place, it would be easy to get carried away here. I would stick to cash or debit card in a pub - then once it's gone, it's gone. No waking up with a hangover and a full credit card when the alcohol made every your friend. A friend did this and it took a long time to get back on track.
Take whatever card you can get and pay off in full by DD and you will be laying the groundwork for a great future.

sazaccount

I would suggest having a chat with who ever you have your main current account with (debit card)

D_M_E

Try your main bank first and if they accept you then i suggest making arrangement to collect the card from your local branch.

Keep up the sensible attitude, live within your income and you will achieve your goals.