A novel poll parrot is adding to a growing dead body of evidence about millennials and credit carte . In short : They do n’t like them . According to anew surveyfrom Bankrate ( a publishing firm that write about personal finance and loanword charge per unit ) , only 33 pct of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 have acredit card , about the same rate as was account in the company’s2014 survey .
The public opinion poll only wonder about 1000 Americans , but other company , such as the fluid banker at Chime , have foundsimilar numbersin recent years , so there ’s wad of information to propose that the enquiry is n’t an anomaly .
“ It was n’t really a decision that I made , but growing up I was admonish of the risk of make a deferred payment calling card and advised to put off get one as long as potential , ” one 25 - twelvemonth - older told Bankrate . It ’s lawful that credit card debt is a major issue for masses in the U.S.—the average house carriesalmost $ 16,000 in credit card debt according to figures from last class . But having a credit card and being in debt are n’t the same thing , even if it ’s easy to keep yourself from overspending if you do n’t have the option of credit .

While credit cards do have some potential pitfalls , they ’re good to have when used responsibly , and can be a vital tool for a healthy fiscal life . For example , like it or not , you need credit history for thing like lodging ( even if you ’re not planning to buy , landlords often chink renter ’ credit scores ) , policy , get under one’s skin a loanword , and more .
The key is to have a credit circuit card , but never have yourbalancerun over from month - to - month . Pay it off every single month ( or , if you ’re passing disturbed about overspend , you may even pay off each transaction as you go ) so you do n’t get hit with interest . In turn , you ’ll establish good credit , realize credit card points — which , if you do n’t carry a counterbalance , are basically free money — and become eligible for honest interest rates for when you do need to take out a loanword . Plus , many recognition cards come with extra like supplemental insurance for travel cancelations , rental car collisions , and even breach cell phones .
In other words , you might as well reap as many benefits as you could out this tower of innovative spending . Just make certain to do your research to find the wag that fits your lifestyle and budget , and do n’t block to read thefine print .
[ h / tGlamour ]
Know of something you guess we should cross ? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com .