When did you get your first credit card?

My first credit card was when I was a senior in college. As the time for graduation approached, we suddenly started getting bombarded with pre-approved credit card applications, usually with high credit limits. It was a heady feeling to be chased by these companies simply because our earning potential was looming closer and closer and we never even thought to compare credit cards to see which was the best deal.

I remember being very cautious with my first credit card, but then I got a second card, and a third and I forgot all sensible reasoning and starting spending with no regard on if I could really afford my purchases or not. After all, the credit card was there for a reason, to spend, to charge and to enjoy. Well, that's really the way most college students think about credit anyway. Life is to be dealt with once college is over and one has to face real life and a real job. But by then, a lot of consumers are already quite deep in debt. Add student loans that you have to start repaying once you finish college and the debt goes even deeper.

The thing is that no one realizes that it actually easier for the debt to climb higher each month and bury you, than to charge things on the card just because you can and not because you need to. The most popular reason to get a credit card is to reduce interest payments by getting a 0% balance transfer credit card. The only credit card I got recently was a reward credit card that really made a lot of sense to get. Gone are the heady days of college, this is the real world, where we make all our financial decisions only after having done the full research and background check.