It’s every hard-working professional’s dream to have a functional credit card. Not only will this open up doors for better financial opportunities, but this is a testament to your ability to manage your finances and how much you’re earning.
However, having your first credit card is a major adjustment. There are a lot of factors that you need to consider in this situation. Here’s what you should know.
The Best Credit Cards Are for Professionals
Most importantly, you need to consider that getting a credit card isn’t something for beginners. If you’re a newcomer to the credit card scene, it’s important to keep in mind that applying for a credit card isn’t a form of “easy money.” Having a credit card will mean that you must place a good amount of time and effort towards managing your credit card and the debt that it usually comes with.
Just to set your expectations, if you’re a newcomer, many credit card issuing companies will usually favour working professionals over newbies. But although you probably won’t qualify for the most valuable credit card that they have, you can still get a credit card that’s fit for your needs and wants. Although, you won’t necessarily get the perks, the rich rewards, or even long time periods where the interest is practically at 0% percent.
But even though you might feel discouraged about getting a credit card in this situation, this should motivate you towards a long-term goal instead. Building up your credit score and having a long and consistent credit history can give you access to these high-end credit cards.
That said, you shouldn’t be too frustrated when you’re just starting your credit journey; you should be excited with all the prospects and incentives you can get when you’ve reached the top.
Whether you’re already a professional with decades of experience in financial management or someone that’s just started their journey into the world of credit cards, there are always hassle-free and convenient credit card deals and promotions that are tailored for your needs and wants. Not only are these credit cards known for their good deals, but this can help give you a good head-start to building up your credit score.
Security Deposits Are Your Best Friend
Another important factor that you need to consider when getting a credit card is security deposits. Let’s say that you’re new to getting credit cards, and you’re having trouble getting one since you don’t have any history with your credit at all. Well, not all hope is lost since there are secured credit cards that can help you started.
These cards are designed for individuals who don’t have any credit history or have a history of less-reputable credit. Just like when you’re getting a loan, a secured credit card will require you to give collateral, usually in the form of a required cash deposit. Your credit limit will be equal to the amount that you’ve deposited. Ultimately, this will depend on the issuing organization that hat will authorize your secured cards.
You should still remind yourself in this situation that falling behind on such payments can mean that you’ll lose the security deposit. Although, you shouldn’t be discouraged to get one since the higher deposit you have and making on-time deposits means that you can have a better credit score. That said, you shouldn’t lose hope when it comes to getting a better credit score.
Your First Credit Card Is Especially Important
One of the most important factors that you should weigh in when getting a new card is that your first credit card will either make or break your credit score. If you’re not too careful on your payments, you can have less-than-desirable credit scores, which could close windows of opportunities for you. But if you’re mindful of your spending and make timely and consistent full payments, there’s a good chance that you will have better chances for better credit cards.
Every month, the issuing organization will create a credit report to different bureaus. This is why individuals should be mindful of their credit scores since this information is widely available for many organizations. That will significantly impact whether you have a better chance of getting a credit card and loans.
Start Paying in Full
Last but not least, you must start paying your credit card in full. Although many individuals think that paying the minimum amount needed for your credit card is “just enough,” this can inadvertently lead to problems in the long run. It goes without saying that having accumulating debt should be the last thing that you’re gunning for. Not only will this have a significant effect on your chance of getting a credit card, but a debt that keeps on piling up will have a snowball effect. That said, the best thing that you can do in this situation is slimming and addressing your balance as soon as possible, even if you have to use your savings to pay off your monthly debt in full.
You should consider many things when it comes to getting your first-ever credit card. Although it might seem like you have to go through many hoops for it, you shouldn’t be flustered with the process. There are plenty of options that you can choose from, and this will ultimately depend on your needs and wants. Still, financial discipline is key in this situation.
