Dollars & $ense: College Student Credit

Jun 6, 2008

Dollars & $ense: College Student Credit

College students can be tempted to charge everything, and before they know it, pile up thousands of dollars in debt.

With a credit card, you're really spending and then paying later. That's how kids sometimes get wrapped into too much credit card debt because it's so easy. There are so many offers that come in the mail," says Certified Financial Planner Diane Chong.

For students, it's their first time handling their finances and it doesn't take much to muddy a clean credit slate. Know what you're getting into, some offers aren't as good as they seem.

"It always says 0 percent introductory rate, but that's exactly what it is, an introductory rate. After 6 months, your rate could jump up to 17%. That's where you have to really be careful."

The average American now has $8,000 racking up huge interest rates monthly.

Take a $500 balance, add in a 20% finance charge, $20 annual fee, and $25 late fee. That's an extra $145 in fees alone.

"If you take all those offers and start spending and spending, you're going to build up credit history and poor credit history that's going to last you many years after you graduate."

Source

http://www.khon2.com/news/local/19624319.html