What age did you get your first credit card?

Shady · 03-20-2007

Hi guys,
Just out of curiosity, at what age did you each receive your first credit card at? I personally was 19 when I got my first card (this was the age I felt I was responsible enough to have one) and there wasnt really much chance for me to get one much before that (no chance in hell my parents would have got me one when i was under 18).

I am noticing now that kids are starting to get them younger and younger. My 14 year old female cousin has one and this strikes me as a recipe for disaster!!

What is your opinion?

chandni_aqua · 03-21-2007

I m 22 and i still dint take one for myself! Its something worse than a disaster for kids!
When you dont understand the importance of money u can never understand the severity of a debt!

KHyuga · 03-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shady

Hi guys,
Just out of curiosity, at what age did you each receive your first credit card at? I personally was 19 when I got my first card (this was the age I felt I was responsible enough to have one) and there wasnt really much chance for me to get one much before that (no chance in hell my parents would have got me one when i was under 18).

I am noticing now that kids are starting to get them younger and younger. My 14 year old female cousin has one and this strikes me as a recipe for disaster!!

What is your opinion?

I'm surprised that somebody as young as 14 years of age is allowed to have a credit card! How did your cousin get the credit card? Aren't there pre-requisites to be fulfilled?

chandni_aqua · 03-22-2007

yeah i got the same thought too.. how cn a 14 yr old kid get a card but then it must be an add-on card got from her parents

quinda · 03-23-2007

There are prepay credit cards available - maybe the 14 year old has one of those?

I was 20 when I got my first card. I actually managed my cards pretty well until I lost my job. It took the benefit office several months to sort my claim out, and I lived off the cards during that time - leading to the mess I'm in now.

VanBasten · 03-24-2007

Well, at the end of the day, I still think it is not advisable for young people to have credit cards, simply because they do not have the financial capability or prudence to sustain them.
If you want the convenience of making cash-free transactions, a debit card would be a good alternative.

dasha101 · 03-25-2007

Young people should not be given their own credit card because they might not use it properly. It happened in our family. We were given a supplementary card by our mom. And my brother end up buying a lot of things without control. My brother was only 16 then.

chrissie1101 · 03-31-2007

I was 19, and while I think it was a mistake at the time, I think it only was because I was not taught how to use them properly. I think if a young person has the right guidance, it is a good thing to establish credit history.

peterlee · 04-01-2007

i got one at 18 and i dont overspend as i control myself

peterlee · 04-01-2007

by the way i thought u need to be 18 to get one