Hello, all! I am looking to finally get my first ever credit card. I just turned 26 a few weeks ago and I’m a late bloomer in practically everything, so I am still living with my parents (don’t have to pay rent) and am still in college. I plan to graduate in hopefully Fall 2026, but if not, then Spring 2027.
Note: My score is so low due to having 2 open debt collection accounts. They’re both from my previous college (2 semesters). Long story short, I messed up and thought my scholarship would pay for it, but was wrong and didn’t realize until it was too late. They’re both from 2021 and the total balance is $2,770. I believe I can pay the college directly, so I am working on getting that resolved this year by monthly payments.
Annual income: I made exactly $17,310.83 last year from my job
Note: I work part-time retail at $15.75/hr and usually do 25-30+ hours a week, but from August 2024 til the end of last year, I only did around 16-20 hrs a week. But I’m back to the 25-30+ hours, so I expect to make more this year.
Other income: My dad retired from the Navy and through him, I was able to get the MIA/POW scholarship which pays for most of my tuition at my public state university. I just have to pay some fees that are usually less than $1K a semester. I also have the GI Bill Chapter 35 which directly pays me during each month I am enrolled in classes. Current rate for this year is Full-time enrollment: $1,536.00 for each full month. However, I only have about a year worth of this GI Bill left, so I am not using it all this year and plan on just using it all next year. During that time, I am also planning on doing less hours at work to take on more classes.
Estimate average monthly spend, very guesstimate:
Dining: $50-70
Groceries: $50-100
Gas: $100-150
Note: I usually just eat at home whatever my mom or sister cooks. I don’t really go out to eat that much, other than fast food but I use rewards so I don’t really regularly spend that much on dining. Since I live with my family, my mom does the groceries and I just get whatever she tells me to get or things she forgot, so I don’t regularly spend much on groceries either. As for gas, I was handed down the family Honda Pilot and usually end up having to fill the tank twice a month, with a full tank usually around $50. Sometimes I end up having to fill up 3 times.
iCloud subscription for $9.99/month
Amazon Prime Student $7.49/month
FUTURE: I’m medically covered through Medicaid right now as my application is still pending, but I may have to buy from the Marketplace in November.
Why I finally made the decision to get a credit card:
1) To travel more easily and book hotels and rental cars myself
2) To finally build (or I guess rebuild?) my credit score because I want to get my own apartment after I graduate. I definitely want my own place before I turn 30.
THE CARDS I APPLIED FOR:
* Discover it® Student Cash Back DENIED
Discover it® Student Chrome DENIED
Discover it® Secured Card APPROVED
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card APPROVED
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students APPROVED
Capital One Platinum Mastercard APPROVED
Chase Freedom Unlimited® DENIED
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students DENIED
Should pick from one of these approved ones? If so, which one would be best? Or maybe try to apply for something else?
Last question! I’m planning on making a surprise visit to my eldest sister around the end of this month. She moved to a different state with her husband and I haven’t seen her since. I would need to book a hotel for a night. I am planning on booking it with my debit card then using the new credit card at the property for incidentals hold. Is that something I can do with a new card, my first one at that, or is that too hasty? Thank you all in advance!
