Poll: How old were you when you got your first credit card?

[NNN0LHI]

Got my first one when I was in my mid-thirties in the early 90's. They were around long before that but not a lot of people had them. They were mostly store and gas cards before that. It was a Citi card that didn't pay out dividends but rather accumulated points that could be turned into cash and used for the down payment on a new car. The card has since evolved into a full fledged dividend rebate card and I still have it.

[Lyric]

1. I've never had one. Debit yes, credit no.

And I'm 32.

[NNN0LHI]

2. Thanks, I added that option

[proud patriot]

24. I'm 42 and have never had one

My debit card has a visa on it.

[Downwinder]

3. Now ask when I cut it up.

[dkf]

4. Got one at the campus center in college.

They gave me a towel so I figured what the heck. No job, a bit of savings and I got 3 credit cards right there. Never used the sears card.

[orpupilofnature57]

5. 27 When I got it ( 1984 ) 51 when I paid it off ( 2008 )

[sufrommich]

6. When I was 18. When I was young, nobody ever started out

with a major credit card, you had to start with a store credit card and build up your credit. My first card was for the J.L.Hudson department store that I worked at during the Xmas holidays.

[Liberal_in_LA]

22. yeah, had JCpenney, Montgomery Wards, Robinsons, Shell Gas, Mervyns

at various times. Went to major cards. then finally got rid of them all.

[Generic Brad]

7. I couldn't get one in college

Back on the 1980's liberal arts majors were typically rejected. I was not able to get a card until I was 25.

[Populist_Prole]

8. I was 25, very seldom used it the 1st several years

Never carried a balance in my entire life.

[Ikonoklast]

9. Sears card when I was 18, $300.00 limit.

Used it to establish credit, always paid it off every month, as I never really spent a lot of money there, except for tools, back when Craftsman was actually a good name brand.

I now have a couple of business credit cards with five-figure limits, one in reserve, one I use every week.

[MichaelMcGuire]

10. Never had nor wanted

[liberal N proud]

11. I needed tires for my car - Sears

Sears was said to be the best way establish credit at the time.

[tosh]

12. When I left home for college, $100 limit

secured by my dad but in my name. It was to be used for emergency only and to teach me how to handle credit.

[Capitalocracy]

13. 28 and still never had one.

Not even sure I can get one.

[CountAllVotes]

14. Macy's

I loved that credit card. Macy's = the ultimate shop! $150.00 limit 1975. ;)

[saras]

15. I got taught the math in high school finance, and was never tempted afterwards.

My university, though, has outsourced its financial aid processing to a commercial bank, which is DESPERATELY fighting to FORCE every student to create a high-cost account with them. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up with a credit card, and a bunch of fees owed for not using it enough.

[fishwax]

16. 19, probably

I was in college at the time.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

17. My parents gave me a card for emergencies when I started driving

I got my own when I was 22.

[TheDebbieDee]

18. 35........$1,000 limit. I gave it up after about 2 years. Interest was too high.

[TheKentuckian]

19. 18 and net negative due to financial situation.

They are good for emergencies but not for a regular use crutch. A rather costly learning program, effective but severe.

[pipi_k]

20. Almost said pretty old but...

I forgot about the two I had when I was early-mid 30s. I was not good with money back then. I did end up paying off one of them...the other, no...something I'm not proud of.

So for quite some time I had shitty credit until meeting Mr Pipi, who added my name to one of his cards. I used, it, I paid the bill. My name was linked with his credit rating (which was, and still is, excellent) and I built up a good rating too.

I was at least 52 by the time I had my own credit card, and a few years later I got two more.

Now I'm very protective of my credit history.

[Nikia]

21. I got a Younker's charge charge my soph year of college

I got a Citibank Visa my junior year.

[Liquorice]

23. I was 24, and it was the mid 90's. I still have mine too. nt

[treestar]

25. Got one sent to me in the mail, apparently just

for graduating from college (where did they get the addresses?) Never used one though until I got my first job.

[Synicus Maximus]

26. I got one in my late 20s or early 30's. But it wasn't really mine it was

a company AmEx card. I was in my 40's before I had a card of my own.

[Posteritatis]

27. 30 and just got one this year. (nt)

[tammywammy]

28. 18, I'm 31 now and have no credit cards in only my name

I have one with each parent. When my mom broke her shoulder it was very easy for me to pick up groceries for her and I'd put them on her card. If there's something I need/want, like a couple of years ago for my birthday I got a new ceiling fan, my dad told me to just buy it and put it on his card.