All of us think we must have a credit card, especially when we just hit 18. It’s really cool to pocket a credit card. But to get hold of a card is not so easy as it sounds. When are applying for a new card for the first time, it’s hard to get it approved instantly. Credit card companies will verify a lot of factors before they approve of our applications for a card. Wait when you are 18 years of old. Yeah, it’s true people can’t have a card before they are 18 but in realty, teenage people are getting cards by means of tricks. Anyway, but you better wait for the right time. Moreover, there are seasons when credit card companies dole out cards. The time is just coming now. Christmas is 10 days away. So, you can approach a financial institution and apply for a card. Chances are there you card applications will be granted.

Let’s find out how to get your first credit card

• Approach your bank: Since you are applying a card for the first time, so, you better contact you bank where you have your savings or checking account. Since, they already have your financial records, they will be easy to approach and you can get your card too. However, this is important that your financial institutions deal with credit cards; not all of them have credit card offers.
• Shop around: Since you are still a student and pursuing your studies and no credit score you have obtained to be eligible for a credit card, you need to shop around a bit. There are credit card companies who grant credit cards to students but they might have certain conditions for such offers. So, check out the terms and and the apply. Not all the companies have same eligibility criteria. So, apply to the company whose terms and conditions best suit you.
• Show your income proof: If you over 18 but not 21, you need to show your income proof. So, work in cafes, video parlors and wherever you want. Just make sure you have your payslip at the end of month. Work for a few months and save all your payslips. Then approach a creditors and ask them to grant you card. Show them that you are earning and quite able to carry out a credit card.
• Go for a secured credit card: When you do not have a credit history or any credit score, you can opt for a secured credit card. A secured credit card is obtained against an amount which you need to deposit to your issuers as a collateral. The bank will hold your deposit as a security money just in case you default on payment. On that case, you will forfeit your deposited money.  This is the best option for any person applying for a card. The amount of the deposit money will be the credit limit your issuers set for you. So, you can choose for any amount to your liking. And, yes, this does not in any way hurt your credit score. Instead, this will you get more card in the future and hence, help you build your score.

Whether you are too young to get a card or you not making enough money, remember a credit card is no money dished out to you. It’s a liability and you are bound to repay the amount you use with the credit. So, be wise in using the card. Do not just make fun of it, else, you will be sorry to have credit card in your life. If are not serious in handling a credit card, your credit will be badly affected.