Use cash instead of plastic whenever possible. A lunch at the student union here, a night on the town there...it all adds up. Keeping your credit cards in your wallet will prevent a nasty surprise at the end of the month and when you graduate.

Debit cards and "secured" credit cards are good alternatives for college students. Debit cards allow retailers to deduct the amount of a purchase immediately from a bank account; they also work at automated teller machines if a student needs cash. Secured credit cards require that the student set up a savings account of several hundred dollars as a backup against a default.

Make sure you understand how fast the penalties for late payments and interest charges can add up on credit cards. For example, if you were making just the minimum 2.5 percent monthly payment on a $1,000 outstanding balance with 19 % interest, it would take seven years to repay and cost $730 in interest.

Don't forget your huge student loan. You may have a hard time paying off your loan if you're too busy paying off your Visa or MasterCard accounts.

Establish a sound credit history by clever usage and investigate thoroughly the credit cards that are especially intended for students, or maybe even choose a debit card!!!

Be smart - use credit card wisely.

About the Author

Thomas Lindstr?m is author and researcher on buy tips and use advice for different kind of credit cards available on today?s market. Url : http://www.greatestcreditcardsite.com