Say no to the on campus credit card guy

Why I said no to the no campus credit card marketing guy.

I was on my way to psych 101 and this man in his mid thirties jumped in front of me and flashed several student credit cards and asked for a minute of my time. I agreed. He proceeded to tell me if I applied for a credit card he would give me a voucher for a free six pack of pepsi. He did not offer me any educational material on building good credit, only a choice of applications for credit cards. I told him I would think about it and he became frustrated. He told me I needed to apply for a student credit card right now or I would not get the free soda. This man would not let up ... he persisted and persisted to the point that I almost felt bad for him.

At this point the one minute of time time had turned in to ten minutes and I was late for class. I told him I would stop by after class after I had some time to think about it. During class I kept thinking about how pushy this credit card guy was and it angered me a little bit. Class was let out early and I walked a different route back to the dorm.

It turns out my roommate was cornered by the same credit card marketer last year and she ended up applying for several credit cards to get many free incentive gifts, only to not get approved for a single one. I called my parents and they told me to not apply for a student credit card until I sat down with them and talked about the basics of building good credit in an intelligent way.

We searched the internet and found this very site, StudentCreditCards.com - where you will find several articles on building good credit and a selection on the major student credit cards for college students to review and compare when applying.

Student should take their time when applying for a credit card. The first step is learning how to build strong credit, educate yourself and involve your parents as they have been through the trials and tribulations of using credit. Credit must be repaid, it is not free money for college. Don't apply for a credit because everyone else has one or because it might seem cool to carry one. When you are ready to learn about credit, read the credit card articles at StudentCreditCards.com and if you are employed or have a co-signer then compare student credit card issuers and apply online only if you are ready.

Why You Need A Student Credit Card

Why You Need A Student Credit Card
by: Studentcreditcards.com

Owning a student credit card affords an individual luxurious those who pay with cash don’t necessarily have. To begin, using a credit card to make a purchase is hassle-free in comparison to paying by check or cash. In addition, when you carry a credit card around, it limits the amount of cash you have to keep in your purse or wallet. A credit card also simplifies the transaction process and allows the user to make Internet purchases.

College student credit cards are also great to have on hand in case of emergency. What happens if your car breaks down and you to have it fixed, but don’t have the cash? Having a card in case of emergencies provides a security blanket that can get you through most financial crunches.

When utilized responsibly, a student credit card can be used effectively to budget the consumer’s spending. Credit cards also let you cash in on special offers and sales when you otherwise wouldn’t have the cash. Along the same lines, if you have to go on a trip and accrue business expenses that will later be reimbursed, you can use the card to carry the expense until you receive funds.

Student credit cards also boast a certain amount of security. A lost credit card cannot be used by anyone. The card owner can even report the card stolen and have it turned off before it is used. If the card is used illegally, the card issuer cannot legally hold the owner responsible for the unauthorized charges. If you lose your cash, it is most likely gone for good.

While the advantages of owning a college student credit card cover a gamut of situations, benefiting from these advantages requires responsible spending. For example, it is a good idea to pay off the credit card debt on a monthly basis. Failing to do so will cost more money in the long run and take up precious emergency spending dollars.

In the event of your application for credit is denied because of “insufficient credit file” and you are a full-time student, you can contact the lender and ask if they are aware of your student status. In certain cases, companies will extend you a student credit card offer with a lower than normal credit line to get your student credit history underway. As you pay your bills on time, the company will then slowly increase your credit line accordingly. In other words, you are rewarded for responsibly managing your credit.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, all consumers are protected under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act that states financial instructions must make fair decisions when it comes to determining in an applicant is creditworthy. An individual’s color, race, religion, fender, ethnicity, age, and marital status should not affect their ability to gain credit.

To learn more, or to compare student card offers visit www.studentcreditcards.com

Students Saving Money

Living paycheck to paycheck is no picnic. An overwhelming number of people live their lives this way. When your paycheck barely covers your bills, it can be taxing on your wallet and your sanity. Try to keep things in perspective and do the best that you can. Save money where ever you can and don’t make unnecessary purchases. Avoid impulse items at the store and save a little, even if the amount seems trivial.
Find ways to increase your income if possible. Ask for overtime at work or take on a second job. Keep looking for work that could pay you more even if you’re already employed. Have yard sales and utilize auction sites to sell things that you have that you no longer have a need for. Offer services to your friends, family and neighbors. You might even distribute flyers around campus or make signs to attract potential customers. Figure out what you’re capable of and what you have to offer, and then use it. Do things that others may not want to do and that they’d be willing to pay for. Clean houses, wash cars, tutor, clean gutters, cut grass, type term papers, whatever you can think of that can make you a few bucks here and there.
Second, find a way to save. Saving money on your frivolous purchases is job number one. If you go to fast food every day for lunch, stop it all together and pack a lunch. Calculate how much you save every week to keep you motivated. Some people find out that they have to work an entire day to pay for their fast food habit each week. Don’t let going to work cost you a chunk of what you make. Find a carpool to join, start one up or take the bus, train or subway to work and school. Saving gas money adds up quickly now days. Find ways to lower your bills. Switch from incandescent bulbs to fluorescent ones. Make sure that you don’t have the television, stereo or lights on when they are not in use. Don’t leave appliances or chargers plugged in when you’re not using them. They still use power even if they’re turned off.
Make yourself a budget. Figure out exactly what you’re bringing in and overestimate what your bills will be. You don’t want to be caught off guard when you get that first winter heating bill. Some utility companies will allow you to pay a set amount each month that covers you for the year. This helps you to avoid huge fluctuations during summer and winter months. It’s easier to budget for and can help you get into a rhythm with your spending that can help you train yourself to live within your means.
If you need some security and want to be able to handle financial emergencies yourself, then you might consider something like student credit cards. Special offers are available for students looking for credit cards. Don’t overspend or charge things that aren’t really emergencies. Make your payments on time and you can build your credit. Organize your life and you can live comfortably within your income range.

About the Author: Mary Wallace, a retired teacher, is the editor for studentcreditcards.com, a provider of student credit cards and information plus consolidation of student credit cards. For more information, please visit http://www.studentcreditcards.com.