<p>i have a Visa (not a visabuxx) and have had it since i first moved out when i was 13.</p>
<p>I have a debit card, mainly because it was more convenient than carrying around wads of cash in a summer program I went to.</p>
<p>It's pretty cool, actually, since I find that I spend a lot less when I have that instead of cash monies.</p>
<p>I have a debit card, it's great, I love it. I always have a tendency to lose my money...</p>
<p>I have a Visa debit card through Chase bank and it's great. I would recommend getting a debit BEFORE a credit card because it ensures that you don't spend money you don't have and therefore avoid any debt. Also, debit cards are used exactly like credit cards so any place that accepts credit accepts debit; there's no difference.</p>
<p>Any links to sites where you can get a credit card without a co-signer? I only work enough to make about 6k a year while going to school.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Any debit card can be used like a credit card if it has a visa or mastercard logo on it. Only the money's taken out of your account on the spot.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Right, but my card doesn't have the logo on it.</p>
<p>can u use debit cards to buy stuff online? Just wonderin</p>
<p>yup, you can.</p>
<p>To fjm_001: any bank (Chase, WaMu, BoA) will give you a debit card without a co-sign so long as you are 18. Also you can apply for any major credit card directly through them (Visa, Amex, MC) if you are 18. For credit cards, I would recommend starting with Amex, because you have to pay it off entirely every month, which will help keep you out of debt.</p>
<p>I agree about Amex</p>
<p>Bank of America will give you a debit card (no co-signer neede) if you're under 18. I have a Student Checking account with them and I've had a checkbook and debit card since I turned 16. I'll be getting a credit card from them when I turn 18 in three weeks.</p>
<p>It should be rare that you come across a place that does not accept your debit card if you are carrying a true debit card. You may not be able to process the transaction using your PIN, but you can then just process it as a credit card and signing for it. However...</p>
<p>You should NOT be using debit cards for purchases, ESPECIALLY online purchases.</p>
<p>Two (of many) threads of interest on this topic:</p>
<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=225939&highlight=credit%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=225939&highlight=credit</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=169182&highlight=credit%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=169182&highlight=credit</a></p>
<p>If you are under 18 and don't want to have a credit card quite yet, that's fine--but I would just use your debit card for ATM withdrawls and then make the purchases in cash.</p>
<p>"For credit cards, I would recommend starting with Amex, because you have to pay it off entirely every month, which will help keep you out of debt."</p>
<p>That's not really correct. If you have a charge card, you are required to pay your balance every month--but AmEx is not the only company that has charge cards and AmEx offers much more than charge cards. Additionally, charge cards are more likely to come with annual fees, which you should avoid at all costs (there's little reason to be paying an annual fee).</p>
<p>the point of having a credit card is so that you can build credit. If you start early, then you're more likely to be eligible for more credits cards when you turn 20 or something. Debit cards don't build credit because you have to pay for it with your own money....at least that's what I've been told</p>
<p>"Debit cards don't build credit because you have to pay for it with your own money....at least that's what I've been told"</p>
<p>Essentially...since the money is withdrawn from your account, you are not incurring a debt. As a result, debit cards don't reveal anything about your historical ability or willingness to pay your debts.</p>
<p>I highly recommend getting a credit card during your first year or two in college (if not before). You'll find it very hard to get a credit card (or any form of credit) if you do not have a history after you graduate, which can have wide-reaching adverse affects (from increased car insurance rates and trouble getting a mortgage).</p>
<p>Try the Starbucks Duetto visa card. With no credit history or cosigner, I got an $800 limit, but actually interest was pretty high at 23% with a promotional 0% APR for the first six months as long as the account is in good standing. Plus they gave me $25 starbucks dollars after my first purchase on it.</p>
<p>American Express flat out rejected me though. I applied for Blue Cash for students.....rejected grrr.</p>
<p>"Try the Starbucks Duetto visa card. With no credit history or cosigner, I got an $800 limit, but actually interest was pretty high at 23% with a promotional 0% APR for the first six months as long as the account is in good standing. Plus they gave me $25 starbucks dollars after my first purchase on it."</p>
<p>Twenty-three percent?! That's atrocious! While the interest rate shouldn't matter too much as a student if you pay it off every month, you're going to want a card that will be useful later on (as you do not want to close cards).</p>
<p>There are much better options out there...most basic would be Sovereign's 9.99% student card. Citi (notably the MTVu), AmEx, and 1st Financial Bank (among many others) also carry decent student cards.</p>
<p>I thought for any credit card you have to have a cosigner if you're under 18 because it's a contract and you can't legally enter into a contract until you're 18. Or is that just a state law?</p>
<p>"I thought for any credit card you have to have a cosigner if you're under 18 because it's a contract and you can't legally enter into a contract until you're 18. Or is that just a state law?"</p>
<p>That is a common misconception--you can certainly enter into a contract when you're under 18. The catch is that the contract is VOIDABLE by the party that is under 18, meaning that they can, at any time, void the contract. The party over 18 does not have the option, hence why it is not smart to enter into contracts with minors. Although people act as if minors cannot enter into contracts, they certainly can and do.</p>
<p>Credit card companies can offer a credit card to a minor if they so choose (at least to my knowledge). I think I had my first one at 17--some people get credit cards much younger. Not every company is willing to offer credit to minors. Most student cards are targeted toward college-aged students who are 18+.</p>
<p>Well, that's just what my mom told me (she works at a bank). So I didn't know if it was different in other states. I got mine when I was 15, a credit/debit card. My parents just did it for the points that you get lmao.</p>
<p>I use American Express Blue and Citi AAdvantage, and I personally recommend the Citi card. Since I fly mainly on American and OneWorld alliance carrier, I can rack up miles pretty quickly with the Citi.</p>
<p>These are the only problems I've had with AMEX:
1. Quite a few places won't accept American Express
2. If you want airline miles, you're stuck with Delta</p>
<p>Needless to say, AMEX's Blue for Students has a great insurance/refund policy.</p>