Credit Card Thoughts
My take on credit cards, and how to leverage them properly
Getting your first credit card is a rite of passage. You’re entering the banking system, officially a customer of mega corporations like Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Amex, and many more. It feels grown-up, yet simultaneously unsettling. You are now responsible for your debt and carrying a balance that will bite you. Over and over, looming above you.
I had this unsettling feeling ever since my first credit card, constantly checking my banking app to see the same balance I saw two hours ago, as if some number would change. Maybe I was hoping for my balance to magically drop and no longer be my responsibility, but it never happened. So I decided to understand credit cards better: the importance of credit, the risks of debt, and how to conquer this ever-pressing feeling of financial burden.
Debt can be a good thing when leveraged properly. It can enable you to take calculated risks, like going to college. But debt can also be world-shattering when leveraged improperly. Spending money you don’t have on things you don’t need is a dangerous game, and it’s one of the reasons why credit card debt is so prominent in the US (U.S. Average Credit Card Debt In 2026 – Forbes).
So I’d like to offer my opinion on what credit cards to get, why, and how to play the credit card game properly, because it absolutely can be played in a way that benefits you. In no particular order, here’s what I’ve learned in my financial literacy journey:
Get a credit card ASAP, even if you aren’t using it. Build your account age early, because that impacts your credit score. Even if you’re a student.
Time your credit card openings properly. If you’re applying for an apartment, apply for the credit card afterward. If you know you want multiple cards, space out your applications so you’re more likely to get approved. Also be aware of rules specific to certain issuers, like Chase’s 5/24 rule.
Always pay in full, unless you have a logical and calculated reason to pay interest. There have been periods where it made more sense for me to keep my money readily available in a checking account and absorb $40 in interest. The peace of mind and the math both pointed toward not paying off the card immediately being the sounder decision.
Plan your credit cards around your life. You don’t need an Amex at 18, and you don’t need a travel card unless you’re actually traveling. At some point you’ll build your arsenal of cards to cover any situation, but you need the finances to back those experiences first, and to make having the cards actually make sense. Students using travel cards while studying abroad, for example, makes total sense.
Never pay an annual fee unless you’re getting a SUB or you already pay for services the card covers. If you spend $120 on DoorDash and Uber in a year and there’s a card that offsets that for a $100 AF, the math works. That’s a calculated card.
Take advantage of SUBs (sign-up bonuses). Some bonuses can pay for the card and its annual fee sevenfold, so keep an eye out. Constantly signing up for bonuses gets into the idea of churning, but that’s another rabbit hole.
Find friends for referrals. Split the referral incentive, or don’t, but get as much out of your data, time, and money as you can.
So yeah, those are my credit card thoughts for now. Take it with a grain of salt, take what’s useful to you, and be smart.
My real hope is that you read this and decide to go learn more on your own, but that’s not something I can force you to do.
Disclaimer: This article reflects my personal opinions and is for informational purposes only. It is not professional financial advice. Please do your own research and verify all terms directly with the credit card issuer.