I second the credit union idea. I have never been SO HAPPY as when I started using a credit union. They have automatic overdraft protection, and they call me if I go out of state to use my card just to make sure nobody has stolen it. I will never go back to a bank!
Credit cards are GOOD things. You need them for your credit history. But, you need to plan to use them. I don't really need mine, but I use mine monthly at least once for groceries or something. Then I have an automatic payment for them through my credit union. This keeps my FICO score up at 720, and I'm not the slightest bit worried about my future mortgage coming at the end of this year.
Before you go out shopping, check your account online and see what you have in there, make your budget, and do a tally in the store BEFORE YOU GET TO THE CHECKOUT LINE if you decide to impulse buy something to make sure you aren't over your budget, and then you can check out and use your card. You won't have problems then.
Credit cards are GOOD things. You need them for your credit history. But, you need to plan to use them. I don't really need mine, but I use mine monthly at least once for groceries or something. Then I have an automatic payment for them through my credit union. This keeps my FICO score up at 720, and I'm not the slightest bit worried about my future mortgage coming at the end of this year.
Before you go out shopping, check your account online and see what you have in there, make your budget, and do a tally in the store BEFORE YOU GET TO THE CHECKOUT LINE if you decide to impulse buy something to make sure you aren't over your budget, and then you can check out and use your card. You won't have problems then.
