Satisfy Your In-School Financial Needs
Poor and college students go together like rhythm and blues. As soon as one bill gets paid “poof” another one surfaces. It’s really tough when you’re living for today with minimal means while planning for tomorrow, which is what college is all about. Toss in your occasional $25 overdraft charge and it feels like you’ll never be able to climb out of that financial ditch.
It’s embarrassing to admit but when I was in college I used to gather loose change from underneath the seat cushions of the couch in the common area. There was nothing like the taste of a Pepsi I didn’t have to pay for, and sadly couldn’t pay for. But it doesn’t have to be that way for you. There are ways to bridge the gap between now and your winter break when most students grab some seasonal work. A credit card by Citi can serve as your best friend over the short term.
The real key to credit card discipline is identifying needs and wants and only using it for the needs. Unfortunately that line sometimes gets blurred by many young adults which leads to a sizable credit card balance. Charging a $299 PS3 system on your credit card is clearly a want and not a sensible purchase while using your card for such essentials as gas and food is a reasonable need. Still, if you don’t trust yourself completely you may want to request a lower line of credit or set a credit limit alert for yourself, which Citi offers to all its cardholders.
The credit limit alert system is great because it sends you an immediate email notification if you are getting close to your credit limit. It really is a terrific way of monitoring yourself. With a modest line of credit and a credit line alert you will ensure you’re in control of your spending.
College is stressful enough without wondering if you can make it from here to there because your tank is buried on “E” or stressing out over how much money is left on your credit line. Just think of Citi as the perfect last line of defense. Oh yeah, and as an added perk you can earn points as you spend to use toward gift cards, concert tickets, video games, airline tickets, mp3 players, DVD’s and much more. Qualified applicants can even score a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfer balances for the first 6 months.
So if the seat cushions at your school come up bare now you know you have another option.
The best college cards for students: Citi mtvU & Citi Forward card
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Thanks for posting this, it was very helpful and informative.
I will keep this in mind for when I start college next fall.
I hate using credit cards too I need scholarships as well cause my parents don’t help me with school and I’m broke, nooot good haha
I am considering getting a credit card for emergency, and only emergency i dont want to abuse it.
I think credit cards can help some but destroy others.
Oy vey. Credit cards…No valen la pena. I need a scholarship!!
I think it is a good idea, it shows how much people strougly with money and how they can get help for college. But in the long run you do have to pay it off.
I could see myself getting the change from everywhere to just to make it work. thats a great idea.
Helpful.
interesting.
and quite resourceful!
I must agree with many others that it is important to know what is needed not what is wanted.
Credit can be easily misused.
As long as people are careful, credit can be great as an emergency fund.
Article very useful but sometimes you gotta know how to control your money even if its in a credit card.
Very informative article
I have a credit card now and i find that i use it and i forget i used it. Especially if it’s for small things. And when i have money i actually see how much i’m spending and it helps me realize how much i’m spending. I think credit cards might be essential for college, because you can’t always have cash but i can see how someone could get in trouble with it.
now i know scholarships r really important
This was a very interesting article, especially explaining the actual benefits that a credit card can have
is better to stay away from credit cards because once you have it, you’ll rely on it
i need help with my college, so scholarships and learning how to deal with my money wisely helps in everyway.
This is so true. aND THERE ALWAY IN MANY THAT YOU COULD FIND TO GET MORE MONEY TO PAY OFFF YOUR DEBT.
I’m getting ready for next semester and I feel the pressure of not having any money! A credit card it a smart idea.
This is a good system, and if it’s everything it is claimed to be then the people who use it will be that much closer to being debt free.
I’m really struggling in planning my college finances. I have to pay for everything, and I understand how this writer feels. I think I will also end up searching for change everywhere I can.
This is very true, stressing over any fincial need is very easy to do.
– anything is possible now and days. I think its a good idea , it will pay off .