Ask the Readers: When Did You Get Your First Credit Card?

In college. It was supposed to help me "build my credit", which I suppose it has, but it's also a too-tempting "fallback" for sudden expenses and big purchases.

Good for you! I got my first credit card (a Sears card) around the age of 22 or 23, soon after landing in my first post-college job. I used it to buy my first television. Having said that, I think the ideal age to get one's first credit card is: never. I still use credit cards, but I use them strategically. However, they have done me and my family far more harm over the years than good...no question.

Got my first one senior year of college to buy a Macbook - I paid it off before the 0% introductory interest rate wore off. I got my first real one (with a proper APR, not the overinflated one from Mac's Juniper Bank) when I graduated because I realized I needed to build a credit history. I'm a "cash mentality" person (ie. terrified of debt) so I pay it off in full every month and reap rewards in the form of Amazon gift cards...which I use for household items I would have bought anyway or Xmas presents.

I was 19 and a freshman in college. Amex was giving free airline tickets with cc signup (this was 1985) I got one without having a job or any income what so ever. Looking back it was a huge mistake on a slippery slope that lasted for close to 20 years. I no longer have a credit card and manage just fine with cash and debit card.

I got my first credit card when I was a sophomore in college. The only job I had at the time was working 1 day a week at a retirement community making about $100 every 2 weeks. The credit limit was $1,000 and I maxed it out almost immediately. I then opened another card with a limit of $500. Also maxed that out quickly. It took me almost 2 years to pay them off entirely since as a full time college student I couldn't work enough hours to earn a real income.

I'm glad that I got it when I was so young and made that mistake early on. I know how painful it is to live with a debt that seems impossible to pay off so I live life debt-free now. I haven't had a credit card balance in years (that I didn't pay off with my next pay check) and I'm working on getting enough money in savings to put down a 20% deposit when we buy our first house next year.

I was foolish and applied for my first credit card in college. I wish I had not, but it helped me afford living at the time. I still have that card - almost 20 yrs later. I don't have others.

I got my first credit card at 18. It was a Discover Card with a $1,000 limit. I don't even remember applying for it...it came in the mail..pre-approved I think.

I have no idea with that APR was and at 18 I didn't know enough to look.

It could have been wise if I used it to build my credit. Instead I used it to buy my books (innocent enough) --- once I realized how easy this spending money you don't have thing is I started to go shopping! Only making the minimal payments and 2 more cards for a total of 3 maxed cards by the end of my sophomore year!

I got my first credit card when I started college, under my parents' account. No job. It was necessary to buy books without having my parents' there.

I got my second credit card, the first under my own name, when I started an internship in the summer of Junior year. I think it was a good time for it - I had seen how much college books and living expenses could cost for a while with my parents' help, and could see how much I needed to spend on on a regular basis.

I got my first credit right after turning 18. I was told that you had to have a credit card in college. Luckily I've always been good at paying the full balance each month.

I was probably 18. I was just shy of my 18th birthday when I moved out of my parents' house and became a full-fledged adult, responsible for my own bills and expenses. I was working full-time and had my own apartment, and my parents and I agreed that a credit card was the best way for me to build credit. I've always been a financially responsible person, though, so that credit card wasn't going to force me into debt.

I think it really depends on an individual's responsibility and the financial values instilled by the parents as far as when someone is "ready" for a credit card. When paid in full every month, it can have great benefits (convenience, cash back rewards, points, etc).

I got my first credit card right out of high school at 18. I received a preapproved offer from Capital One in the mail.

I got my first credit card about 3 months after I started my first full-time job, but not for the reason you'd think. I'd always thought that I wouldn't need one - I'm frugal and wasn't living above my means. Then I had to pay a plane ticket for a work trip from my own checking account. My employer was a non-profit and pretty strapped for cash most of the time, so they preferred that things like that go on employees' cards to be reimbursed later. Having only been working there for a few pay cycles, and being just out of college, let's just say I didn't really have the spare money in my checking or savings accounts to pay for both the plane ticket and rent. After selling some clothes, changing all of my coins, and borrowing $15 off of a house mate, I did make rent that month... and applied for a credit card immediately after dropping off the envelope with a partial rent check and $75 in cash.

I still never carry a balance, and I now have cash to cover emergency expenses even beyond plane tickets, but I've also learned the value of postponing costs for a full pay cycle or 2 for larger items - and enjoyed my ability to do so.

I didn't get a credit card until my early twenties when I was living in Chicago. I never used it much because my father taught me that if you don't have the cash for something, you don't really need it.

When I was 29 years old, it took me very long time, but I managed to do it with a respectable bank, and I am happy for it.

I got mine in college, but I never ran up the balance as so many young kids do. I just like to save money too much. I've always paid off the balance every month and only let it go over if times were tight.

I got one in college. An Amex Student card. I still have it, 7 years later!

I got one at 20 when I signed up to get a free baseball hat. I had no credit, no job and nothing, but still I wanted the hat and I thought it was a cool way because I was sure I would be rejected.

I put my parent's address down as my home address. To say the least, when my mom saw the card in the mail, I got a tongue-lashing. I did tell her the hat was nice though.

I got my first credit card (and a Costco membership card :D) shortly after my 18th birthday. I didn't have a job at the time I got my credit card, but about a month after the school semester started, I obtained an on-campus job that guaranteed 20 hours per week. Regardless of whether I found a job or not, I would pay off my beginning-of-the-semester credit card bills (which consisted of mostly textbook expenses) with the student loans that I take out every school year, and my parents would pay the bills for the non-textbook/non-school-related bills, which are seldom since I pay for groceries and other necessities with cash (from my own checking accounts btw. I don't rely on my parents. They've got their own expenses to worry about.). I think 18 years of age was the perfect time for me to get a credit card. If I didn't, I would not have been able to get a jump start on building good credit.

I don't think there is a "right" age to get a credit card. It really depends on a person's maturity level and ability to think logically and use reason regarding financial decisions. For me, I was raised to be frugal and conservative with my hard-earned money, so even as a young, fresh-out-of-high-school student, I did not spend a lot of money needlessly. I also knew that credit does not equal money. I do not swipe my credit card unless I already have the money to pay off the balance at the time of purchase. In the end, it's not about what age we should be to get a credit card, it's about our financial decision-making values and our knowledge of how to spend wisely.

I got my first Credit card when I was 18. Then ended up giving me a credit limit of 7500 some how. I didn't have a job, but I did know not to spend money I didn't have.

As soon as I turned 18 my mom took me to the local bank and signed me up for their credit card so I could "have a credit history." That was the only explanation I got and since I didn't really understand anything about interest and fees, etc., I racked up a good $18k before I wised up and educated myself. Now I am debt-free, but sorely missing the $18k I could have saved instead of spent!

I was working part time and going to school full time when I got my first card, and it was only intended for tuition and books. I used it only for necessities and never carried a balance so I've generally always profited from the use of credit cards but I was lucky enough to have been a reader of the Fatwallet Forums nearly as soon as I graduated from high school so I knew how to use them to my advantage.

In an ideal situation, I suppose, age doesn't matter as much as knowledge and self control - if you have the knowledge and the desire to use the cards responsibly then I think you can.

I got my first credit card at 18. I do think that is the right age to get one. It's helpful to have in case of emergencies. I was in college and working part-time and have never paid a bill late so my credit is good. I think it is important to fully understand the risks before getting a credit card.

I got my first card when I was 18 though I never used it until I was 20. Paid off in full every month ever since.

I got my first credit card when I was almost done college. I'm wiser about using it now...

I got my first credit card in college. Sears came on campus and was taking applications from students. I had a part time job at the time. I kept that credit card for years.

When I started my first job after college!

I was 18 when I got my first credit card--way too young to know any better!

I got my first credit card in college... I was 18 or 19, I think. It's never been a problem, and in fact has been beneficial to me - I cannot fathom spending more than I can actually realistically pay off that month (unless it's an emergency, in which case it's very nice to have a high-limit card so I can deal with potentially expensive emergencies that might arise), I get the "cash rewards" benefits from the card, and it gives an extra layer of protection between my purchases and my money (buyer protection, protection against identity thieves - I had my identity stolen once from using my debt card at a gas station, before I got my credit card.) Plus it's helping to build my credit, which hopefully will help when I decide to buy a house someday. So as long as you're responsible about it, I don't think credit cards are a problem.

got my first card (capital one) when i was just going to college. i got it through an ad mailed to me. i think it was the perfect timing for me cuz it helped to teach me independence at a perfect time.

I got my first credit card in college---you know, when they give you a free t-shirt for signing up. Blast them all for that.

I got my first credit card back '92, when I was just a freshman in college. In fact, I still have it and must admit it's still my favorite credit card; because it pays to Discover. ;)

I worked and always tried to spend based on what I could afford to pay off at the end of the month.

I got my first credit card on my 19th birthday. At first, my aunt suggested I never get one. But I was moving away, and she suggested I go with one of the pre-approved offer in the mail as LONG as it had no annual fees.

I've had a wonderful relationship with plastic since. I have four (two of which are rewards/store cards) for the sole reason that I just want to track my spending from that particular store...if I ever have trouble, at least I'll know where to look first.

I got my first credit card at 16 and it was co-signed by a relative. It had a $300 limit and taught me an important lesson about finances. After I graduated high school, I raised the limit and took a Spanish immersion trip to Mexico that I financed mainly through that credit card. It took me almost 3 years to pay it off! I shudder to think about the amount of interest I paid. I still have the card today with a $1000 limit, but with a zero balance. I either use cash or debit, or credit only if I know I will pay it off at the end of the month.

Most people say "Sixteen- that's way to early!" But I responsible and my family taught me about finances at a fairly young age. Having the credit card before college was just another step in introducing me to the real world before I actually entered it.

I plan on on going to the bank today and trying to get a student credit card.

I got my first credit card when I was 17 and just about to start college. Because of a combination of my age and their desire to watch out for their firstborn, it was a joint card with my mother - my parents have excellent credit - and I was given the following instructions:

0. Treat this like a debit card. Pay in full every month.
1. You are responsible for checking your own statement and making your own payments.
2. Buy every purchase you possibly can with this credit card. (I had already been raised to not buy anything unless I absolutely needed it, so this instruction did not result in wanton spending.) It will make financial reviews easier for you.
3. There are some things (textbooks, etc) we will reimburse you for - IF you keep clean records, save receipts, and write us with justifications in a timely manner. These reimbursals will be made to your bank account. You are still responsible for your credit card.

I got a job on the campus library soon after and almost never asked my parents to reimburse me. Sometimes I'd see my friends getting credit cards, student loans, cars, etc. and being less fiscally responsible. It was one of my goals to become financially independent from my parents before graduating from college, so I would occasionally talk with them when I was home for breaks about some of these other spending habit styles, giving my clumsy teenage analysis of short-vs-long-term tradeoffs for them, always getting reassurance and confirmation that my (boring, frugal) money habits would put me on the track I wanted to be on.

Sure, I worked multiple jobs on top of studying full-time, and organized late-night pancake parties (a $20 giant bag of Costco pancake mix lasts all year, just add water and tell your friends to bring things to put in/on the pancakes) instead of hitting the city for dinner, but had excellent credit by the time I graduated at 21 with no debt and enough in savings to intermittently travel, volunteer, and intern for a year before starting my first full-time job. Once I did, I found myself ahead of the curve when preparing project finances for work - I already knew how to track statements, justify spending, and so forth.

I'm 24 now, and starting to look for my first house. If I ever have kids, this is how I want to introduce them to credit.

First time I got a credit card was my sophomore or junior year in college. It was one of those cards that are specifically designed to attract financially uneducated college kids and I fell victim far before I was ready to use/own a credit card. I did have 3 different jobs at the time, but the combined income was barely enough to pay for books, supplies, transportation, the typical student necessities...and thus, not nearly enough to take on ANY kind of credit card debt.

I see some people got the "free t-shirt" with a new credit card deal on college campuses.

I got my first credit card just before heading to college. Didn't use it much back then. I still have the same card, and I don't carry a balance on it. Pay it off each month and build up rewards points.

I got my first credit card in my junior year of college. I didn't use it much because my parents had raised me to save up cash and then spend. It has helped me to control my credit card expenditure a lot.

I am 53 years old and got my first credit card when I was 18, fresh out of high school and working full-time as an accounts receivable clerk and part-time as a dental assistant. My favorite Aunt gave me a wallet for my 18th birthday that had 12 slots for cards and I was determined to fill each slot and successfully did. I have battled with credit card debt all of my adult life and just 2 years ago decided that I needed to rid myself of all credit card debt, I closed 9 credit card accounts and have kept 1 card that only has a limit of 750.00 that I pay off each month. I have reduced my credit card debt from a high of 54,000 to 36,300, my credit score has increased each month since I have started my journey of credit card debt elimination.

Age 18, in college. Luckily (or not), my parents gave me such a great example of what not to do that I never had or have carried a balance.

My parents were really big on having me learn how to manage money at an early age so my dad cosigned for me to have a credit card at 15. It only had a $200 limit (it was like 1985, so that was a decent amount then) and his only requirement was that I had to budget my money to pay it off every month (from babysitting, gifts, odd jobs, etc.). After a year of proving I could handle it, he increased the limit to $500, then $1000. By the time I left for college I had a $2500 limit and a kicking credit score- which enabled me to apply for a credit card without my parents.

I got my first credit card when I was 18.

When I was in high school. My dad helped me get a credit card as soon as I was old enough so I could learn how to use it (pay it off every month) and start building a credit history.

I got my first credit card my freshman year of college. I was one of the few who kept it paid off every month! I was enticed, of course, by the cool homage to my university with a beautiful picture right on the card!

Got my first credit card my first year in college. I used it to only pay for gas and paid it off every month. It replaced using my debit card at the pump so it was a simple transition. It taught me that I need to pay off the balance every month. Haven't paid interest on a credit card purchase ever.

I got my first credit card about a year out of college. I did have a stable job. To be honest I didn't really want it (I still only use it for a few charges a month) but I realized that I needed to actually start building credit. It's a small $500 secured card, because that's the best I could get with no credit history. Around the same time I also got a Nordstrom card with a $200 limit.

It's been a few years now and those are still the only ones I have, and I can't see any reason to get any more.

I actually got my first credit card in high school. I swore it was only to be used for "emergencies" but then suddenly EVERYTHING became an emergency. Thankfully while I didn't have discipline in using it, I do have discipline in paying it off, never once being late to pay it, but I wish I'd have had a better financial education growing up.