thinking about getting a cc

[Navywife85]

i have been thinking about getting a cc but i don't work and when we tried to get me one the clerk (at navy fed) said that it would be best if i had a job so we didn't apply but i think i should get one to help my credit even though i already have good credit i have a macy's card never used it and probably will never use it. we don't have any credit cards and never had besides the macy card.

i was just wondering if i should get one just to help my credit and if i can put it in both my hubs and my name?


sorry i have no idea how a credit card works or the billing process works so any info would help...

[Navgirl]

I have gotten credit cards on my own and I don't work, however I have an established credit history and I just put down the salary my husband makes as my income. I do put down that I am homemaker in the job category. I have 2 CC in my name.
It may be really hard now due to the economic crunch to get a CC when you don' work. Can your dh apply for one and you be a co-applicant?

[Amy]

When my computer broke and I needed a new one, I got accepted for a CC with no job and no income. (My husband was gone and I didn't have a POA.)

You could improve your credit with a credit card, if you go about it the right way. You can't just have a credit card and not use it though, you need to establish a good payment history.

[Navywife85]

Originally Posted by Navgirl I have gotten credit cards on my own and I don't work, however I have an established credit history and I just put down the salary my husband makes as my income. I do put down that I am homemaker in the job category. I have 2 CC in my name. It may be really hard now due to the economic crunch to get a CC when you don' work. Can your dh apply for one and add you?

why he could ... but how does a credit card actually work besides them giving you a limit, you spend, and you pay back... how does the whole billing thing work?

[Amy]

Originally Posted by Navywife85 why he could ... but how does a credit card actually work besides them giving you a limit, you spend, and you pay back... how does the whole billing thing work?

You're to pay a set amount back every month, at least. The minimum payment is usually 2-3% of the balance but takes YEARS to pay off. You end up paying a hell of a lot more in interest than the item cost you originally. So, it looks best if you pay more than the minimum, get it paid off sooner and end up paying less total.

[Navywife85]

Originally Posted by Amy When my computer broke and I needed a new one, I got accepted for a CC with no job and no income. (My husband was gone and I didn't have a POA.) You could improve your credit with a credit card, if you go about it the right way. You can't just have a credit card and not use it though, you need to establish a good payment history.

i ahven't used the macys card cause i don't like macys i got the card when i worked at filenes which was bought out by macys so i never got the chance to use it when i worked.

[Navywife85]

Originally Posted by Amy You're to pay a set amount back every month, at least. The minimum payment is usually 2-3% of the balance but takes YEARS to pay off. You end up paying a hell of a lot more in interest than the item cost you originally. So, it looks best if you pay more than the minimum, get it paid off sooner and end up paying less total.

ohhhhhhhh.. so you don't have to pay it all out once the bill arrives but it is good to pay more than the minimum. the only reason we would get a card is to buy gas every now and then just to keep a rotation. so there would be no problem paying the bill out all at once when we get it.


but ugh credit cards scare me...

[~*CaliKristen*~]

It's best to pay the card completely off when the bill comes every month if possible! Then you don't have to pay any interest. I did that and it made my credit sky rocket even though it was good to start with...

[ilovetojump]

if you dont know how to properly use a CC, and you dont have a job, i wouldnt reccommend a CC.

i see you are trying to save $$>. my suggestion is NOT get a CC... you might get "spend happy" and then really wont be able to save $$.....

i had two CC's when iw as 18. both were maxed out within a few months (emergency vet bills for one of my horses). im 24 and im just NOW getting them paid off.

as soon as i maxed them out, i cut them up. i also cut up the replacements for them.. if i dont have the cash or $ in the bank, i dont need that item... yes it's nice to know you have a CC for emergencies, but i know one too many people who had the CC and said that same thing, then ended up maxing them out.

[Jill]

Credit cards are bad!!! If you have the cash, then why charge something to a card? We are in the process of getting rid of all of our cards. REALLY think about this before getting one.

I would look into what Dave Ramsey has to say about CC. It is an eye opener.