<p>What other options are there? Alos, if you are, how much are you planning to take to school. I'm not sure if I'm bringing to little. (I still need some books and supplies at book store, ect.) Thanks!</p>
<p>Debit cards? It's better, you can't overspend and it's safe.</p>
<p>i'm just planning to bring like $40 in cash and rest in my checking card. you can take care of books & supplies with y our checking card, no problem. The cash for me, is for small stuff to buy like a cup of coffee or whatever (because shops usually don't accept cards if not over a certain amount). you can take cash out of your checking card too so i wouldn't worry so much about it.</p>
<p>oh btw, checking card = debit card (ATM withdrawls, use as credit card, etc) </p>
<p>it's better than a credit card</p>
<p>there are like 4-5 different ATMs in price center</p>
<p>Please please consider bringing at least a debit card.</p>
<p>Cash only is a bad idea. If you're buying something online, you're not going to be able to pay cash, for example. Plus you don't always want to be hiding large sums of money in your room all the time, nor do you want to only have $50 to spend for the quarter.</p>
<p>Credit cards are ok too as long as you pay in full every month and track your purchases. You do get rewards/cash back with those so it's nice. But <em>always</em> pay in full...don't make just the minimum payment.</p>
<p>im bring a hundred or so in cash, and my debit card. as already stated by many, debit cards are great. its the same as cash at many places, you can use it at ATMs everywhere FOR actual cash, and you can't rack up debt and get yourself in deep trouble. i suppose you could with an empty balance charge, but thats not as bad as a $300 shopping spree debt cause you forgot your credit balance. which reminds me, always know your debit balance. helps a lot. and debit is pretty safe.</p>
<p>nobody's brought up the point that this is a good time to start building up credit ...?</p>
<p>I love my credit card =) I charge all my textbooks and other larger purchases on my card to build my credit (as astrina mentioned). I don't suggest prodigal spending with it, since it can be easy to be build up debt. It's also nice to have a credit card in case if theres an emergency and you don't have enough money in your debit account... </p>
<p>Besides, you could just get a debit card AND a credit card...</p>
<p>Before any of you freshmen get a credit card I strongly encourage you to watch this PBS Frontline special on credit cards and the credit card industry. Economics and political science majors should especially watch this. It's about an hour (i think) and it is very informative. </p>
<p>frontline:</a> secret history of the credit card: watch online | PBS</p>
<p>Let them build a foundation in college first, then they can take on the added responsibility of fostering a nice FICO score.</p>
<p>In a related note, I finally broke the 750 barrier :)</p>
<p>Isn't the problem with a debit card that it doesn't build your credit?</p>