<p>Why would anyone recommend having a credit card in college? Isn't that just setting yourself to go into debt?</p>
<p>well look at it this way. it could teach you how to manage your money better. b/c we all know that we'll be using plastic when we go out into the real world, and we'll need to know how to manage our money. what better time could there be to start?</p>
<p>Besides that you might also find yourself in an emergency one day and a credit card will be your only way out.</p>
<p>I guess I'm just too conservative when it comes to money, but I think that's what credit card companies want you to think. You don't <em>have</em> to use a credit card in the real world. Sure, plastic is convienent, but that's why you can have a debit card and still be dealing in real money. Most people get lots of credit card debt early on in their lives that haunts them for the rest of their lives. If you save your money and build up an emergency fund, you won't have to go into debt when an emergency comes up. I know that if I got a credit card in college, when I'm not going to have a lot of money, it would just be too tempting to keep paying the minimum and ruin my credit score forever.</p>
<p>a lot of kids have credit cards in their name, but linking to their parents' accounts. or their own accounts, but paid for by their 'rents. this way, they can start building a good credit history when young, as long as they're careful and their parents can foot the bill.</p>
<p>but i can see how some people might overspend and end up in debt. yes, that would probably suck quite a lot.</p>
<p>I never quite understand why some people think credit cards are something really horrible. There's a difference between just using a credit card to pay for things, and using a credit card to pay for things that you don't have the money to actually pay for. For me, if I see something that I want and it's $100, and I don't actually have $100 to spare, it's not an option to buy it (even if I theoretically could charge it) because, well, I don't have $100. I've had a credit card for years, I charge things on it because I don't like carrying around wads of cash, and then I pay it off at the end of every month. I don't see what the big issue with that is.</p>
<p>As for the original topic, it might be worthwhile to look up information on doctors in the area, especially if you're far from home. The campus health center might be a bit dodgy like other people said, and you might also be wanting to go somewhere for yearly dentist visits, eye exams, etc. You'll be living there for 4 years so it doesn't quite make sense to keep all that stuff 'at home', especially when you're probably going to change it after you graduate anyway.</p>
<p>It's probably worthwhile to keep some easy-to-cook food in your room, either in the fridge or canned stuff like soup, for when you don't feel like trudging to the dining hall in bad weather or when it's closed or whatever. Also learn how long it'll be before aforementioned food goes bad. ;)</p>
<p>This is indeed a good thread. I'm the mom of D soon to leave the nest, and reading some of these comments reinforces the realization that my generation of parents has often neglected to make sure our kids have some very basic skills in favor of many entitlements that are in fact priveleges. First-aid kits and sewing kits are an excellent idea (don't forget the Zout stain/spot remover!) Setting up either a credit or debit card w/some kind of limit tied to on-line banking is also good advice, provided there are clear guidelines for spending. Oh yeah, cooking. My D is mostly hopeless in the kitchen! She just isn't interested, but she was given some sage advice recently. The first couple of years when students are living in the dorms it isn't so important, but when it comes time to move off campus it will be, and here's where it might come in as an advantage: if good well-priced off-campus housing is at a premium and you are applying for a big corner room w/beautiful windows in an already occupied student house, your ability to cook will get you that room! Everyone wants a roomie who makes a killer lasagne or stir-fry! In six months of living off-campus, my nephew has become malnourished and way too skinny because he lives with a bunch of kids who are apparently too lazy or don't know how to cook. Keep those suggestions coming--I'm going to make use of them.</p>
<p>So many people do not realize that having a credit card DOES NOT MEAN carrying debt. So long as you don't spend more than you have in the bank, you can pay the full amount every month and never carry any debt. I've had a credit card since August and have not had any debt since I'm always careful and never spend more than I can pay off. </p>
<p>I think it is a better idea for students to have their own credit card than one tied to a parents account for two reasons. The first is that it encourages responsible spending as they know they will be the ones that will have to pay the amount at the end of the month and the second is that it builds credit history early, which is important as it means you can get better credit cards coming out of college as well as automobile and home loans.</p>
<p>I don't have a credit card per say but I do have a savings account and through PayPal I can use it to pay other people. It's limited but hey I'm under 17 and it works for me. I'm pretty responsible with money so when I decide to get a credit card I certainly won't be running myself into debt.</p>
<p>I understand the benefit of building good credit with a credit card so you can buy a car or a house, but otherwise, what benefits do credit cards have that you can't get with a debit card? I don't know, I just don't trust myself to pay it off every month. I'd rather deal with real money in real time.</p>
<p>I made it through college without a credit card. However, in an emergency it could be extremely useful. Also, good luck trying to get credit at age 21-22 if you have no credit history.</p>
<p>I'm only going to have a debit card. Eventually I'll get a credit card, but I don't think a credit card is a great idea for people who've never been in charge of their own money, especially the 1st semester.</p>
<p>If used the way I recommend - paying off the balance in full each month - a credit card is no different than a debit card except that you're building a credit history. Just know how much you have in the bank and don't spend more than that. Also, many credit cards have added perks like money back, frequent flyer miles, or collecting points for rewards.</p>
<p>Some people will be able to handle credit cards. Others will not. All college freshman are not created equally.</p>
<p>That is true - I only recommend having a credit card in college if you know you are responsible enough not to spend more than you can pay off. But correct me if I'm wrong but the same can be said about a debit card - don't many debit cards allow you to go over your balance and then issue a fine?</p>
<p>Actually, another reason why I like credit cards is this: when you're using cash or when you're using a debit card or a check card, it's really easy to spend $5 here and $10 there and not pay attention and not realize how much you're actually spending. If you do that with a credit card, you get the statement at the end of the month that tells you exactly how much you've spent...it's a lot more painful to have to pay out a big sum of money at once and it makes you think twice about your spending habits. </p>
<p>I also have a hard time digesting the fact that haven't ever actually had to manage their money until they go to college, among not knowing other things. I guess I lived in some kind of a bubble.</p>
<p>What about having credit card for buying "big things" (car, paying for insuraces, renting house and so on) and having debit for buyinh small things (toothpaste, donates, clothes).</p>
<p>Well, the first thing I did when I turned 18 last summer was get a credit card.. I knew I'd need it at university... And I thought I would be a good idea to learn how to use one and budget myself..</p>
<p>Right now the card is on my parent's account. I plan to get my own card when I enter this fall into university.. So i can build a credit history... 4 years of credit history building would ensure you can get a loan easily when you need one in your later life..</p>
<p>I don't use a debit card.. and will not use a debit card for small things.. Fraud is an issue and if you are making small purchases, a credit card would protect you if you get fraudulent charges.. Debit card, I'd use that for big things as long as I am paying at a reputable retailer... Debit cards have cash-back schemes and you can actually save money on bug purchases...</p>
<p>Irbis, I wouldn't use a credit card for big payments like that because it's really easy to get into debt like that and you DON'T want to get into big debt on an intro credit card because the APR's will kill you.</p>
<p>BlahDeBlah is definitely right about statements keeping you responsible. After I saw that I owe almost $100 this month thanks to Fancy Dress weekend (our version of prom except more expensive/extravagant) - I've almost stopped spending money completely because it was just painful to pay that bill (and it's not due until mid-April).</p>
<p>"I don't use a debit card.. and will not use a debit card for small things.. Fraud is an issue"</p>
<p>Not really anymore, since alot of companies offer protection on there debit cards now. Im about 50/50 on which one is better. Debit cards make sure that you dont spend over the amount in your savings (i know some cards will let you spend over) but they do not build any credit history. Credit cards build history and give you some good cash back benifits, but theres the risk of overspending if you are not good at money management.</p>
<p>I am fairly good at money management, but i have friends who are horrible at it. So ill probabally end up getting a card late in my freshman year.</p>