Image Courtesy: The Consumerist

Do you ever think back to how and when you started using credit? The days where if someone pulled your credit file, instead of pages and pages of accounts and inquiries, you'd only see a blank sheet of paper.

I'll never forget how my credit history started. The year was 1995 and I was 18 years old. I'd applied for one or two regular credit cards but I was declined due to lack of a credit history. I didn't let that stop me though; I was bound and determined to get a credit card. After all, an 18 year old with a credit card would make people think I had money, right?

I don't remember if I saw the advertisement for a secured credit card on a TV commercial or in a magazine. All I had to do was send them $300 and they would send me a credit card with a $300 credit limit. The $300 I mailed them would stay in an savings account and earn interest but I could not withdraw the money.

I mailed them the money and received my credit card. In fact, I still have an account with the bank. Only now, my initial $300 credit line secured card is now an unsecured card with a $35,000 limit and I am not required to maintain a savings account to serve as collateral. I don't really use the card that much since I have another credit card that offers a better cash back program. This is my oldest credit card though and I try to make sure I use the card every now and then just to keep the account open and active.

Now it's your turn, how did your credit file start?

5 comments

  1. Credit Card Chaser // October 5, 2009 at 3:51 PM  

    My first credit card was a Chase credit card that I got my freshman year of college.

  2. payday loans // October 5, 2009 at 4:38 PM  

    wow, that was a long time a go, my first credit card camed about 3 years a go, had almost no money then, now i almost have 200$

  3. Amy // October 5, 2009 at 6:22 PM  

    My first credit card was a Discover Card in college. I still have the account open and use it all the time for the cash back rewards program.

  4. SMB Kevin // October 5, 2009 at 10:38 PM  

    I got a "student" credit card with an unsecured $500 limit. Well my immaturity got the better of me and the card I got just for emergency gas ended up taking home a PS2 plus games. Lesson learned early and now I'm much more responsible with my credit.

  5. Cheapskate Sandy // October 6, 2009 at 3:56 PM  

    I got my first two cards the same time in college. They were offering some free stuff that I wanted! What an idiot. Anyway they were both for $1,000. It's 13 years later and I will have one but now the limit is $12,000 with a $0 balance (much smarter now) and the other I have since closed. Oh to be young and stupid again.