Congratulations! You graduated high school! Now let’s see what you’ve gotten in the mail.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55276233@N00/221418404/">

After seeing all the “congratulations, you did it!” Cards

You’ve also gotten numerous “ You’ve been Pre Approved!” Credit card offers, and you think “Well, I will need a way to have money in

college.” https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/4347979008/hF72EF868/

What many young adults fail to realize is that a credit card is great if and only if used properly. However, most are not taught the damaging

effects that an irresponsible credit history can have damaging effects years to come.

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93% of all college

students have a credit card.

23% of those carry a

balance of $3,000 or

more.

58% of college students have four+ credit

cards to support

themselveshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/53500715@N08/5792929304/">

I am one of the 93%.

I got a credit

card when I turned

18. I supported

myself with it. Which

resulted in maxing

it out. Almost four years later, I’m still paying

for my mistake. Personal photo of myself. Courtesy of Alyssa Turner.

Even though that now I’m 22, a successful businesswoman, and have a salaried career,

credit companies still don’t trust me. I need a cosigner on anything I

apply for, and if I can’t clean this up soon,

getting a home and starting a

family is going to be

incredibly difficult in my

future.

Personal photo of myself. Courtesy of Alyssa Turner.

There will come a time in your life when you will have to wake up and

be responsible.

Spoiler alert: That time is now. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27027945@N07/5283662933/">

Minimize

Credit Debt

Educate

yourself for the

future

Give yourself opportunity

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93154619@N00/1396343056/">

http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/18786796/2/stock-photo-18786796-piggy-bank-with-savings-chart.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53500715@N08/5792929304/">

Shrink the risk of credit card debt.

Teach yourself early that bad credit effects the rest of your life.

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You deserve financial freedom

Don’t get swallowed by credit debt at the early age of 22.

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Don’t allow your finances to

trample you.

Picture that first set of house keys. How good does that feel?

http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Creative-Copyright-Beau-Lark-Corbis-AP-Imag-/5cca432081a84802bb6847c20d8d4e47/3/0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47263829@N00/5686485176/">

Build your responsibility resume as early as you can.

Give yourself credit, literally and figuratively. http://www.flickr.com/photos/55276233@N00/221418404/">

Educate yourself early

Take control of your

financial future

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http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Creative-AP-I-TETRAI-ti0229323/2ec374213cf047c3982b7f2c8f3b55df/193/0

There is nothing wrong with having a credit card.

There’s not even anything wrong with having two, but please, be responsible.

Just like driving for the first time, or letting your children venture off into the unknown, proceed

with caution. http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/ImgSrc-AP-IMGSO-IS09A8Y3K/e46c9d3e1e9f4e73bfb1adc1e423ef24/1/0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11121568@N06/4105722502

Please, don’t make my mistake.

Take a credit management course today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/59937401@N07/7214443324/">

Credit management classes should be offered at every community college and major

university.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/84387357@N00/4332130338/">

Minimize your risk of debt

Educate yourself. Know the risksKnow how to

handle it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11121568@N06/4105722502/">

And above all, give yourself one thing: O

pportunity

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11121568@N06/4105722502/

Credit cards can be great. If and only if they’re used properly.

However

Many young adults are not properly educated on credit and credit card management, and are

therefore damaged for years to come.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503210825@N01/4373315417/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/57567419@N00/9188873971/">

Credit card management classes are ideal

Learn the good, the bad, and down right ugly of credit cards. Prepare yourself for a successful

future. Don’t set yourself up at 18 for failure at 25.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40198520@N00/6937063999/">

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39154240@N00/448027267/">