If you knew then what you know now?

[Anonymous]

I wish the Internet existed when I was 18. 

I realize what I was working against this Thanksgiving.  My Mother announces at the table, "I've earned (several) hundred from my cash back card!"  Oh really, how's that so? Delves the Bu Yao.  "I've got that US Bank Card."  What card is that, Ma? "I get ONE PERCENT cash back!"  She beams.

Of course I was a #%^* child and replied "Ma, your scores and history can get better rewards than THAT!" And listed a slew of 1.5-5% cards we all know about here.

I wish the Internet existed when I was 18. It is my source to a cacophony of information outside my surroundings.  I love my Ma, and I wish I would have studied FINANCE.

[mitchblue]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I wish the Internet existed when I was 18. 

I realize what I was working against this Thanksgiving.  My Mother announces at the table, "I've earned (several) hundred from my cash back card!"  Oh really, how's that so? Delves the Bu Yao.  "I've got that US Bank Card."  What card is that, Ma? "I get ONE PERCENT cash back!"  She beams.

Of course I was a #%^* child and replied "Ma, your scores and history can get better rewards than THAT!" And listed a slew of 1.5-5% cards we all know about here.

I wish the Internet existed when I was 18. It is my source to a cacophony of information outside my surroundings.  I love my Ma, and I wish I would have studied FINANCE.

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No doubt. Nothing to tell me applying for credit cards after credit cards and getting declined was bad for ya. I also wish there was someone who knew I had a card so they could tell me "You know you have to pay that back." 

[Anonymous]

Depends on how far back "then" goes.....

[Grafton88]

#1 I wish MyFICO had been around when I was younger.

#2 I wish I had set up a financial plan when I was younger.  When you set up a plan you have to set goals.  Those goals help you focus on your real needs and not just some momentary got-to-have.  Think of all the things you got that are now sitting in the closet.

One thing that I appreciate is that life sometimes gives you second chances.  I am going to take that second chance and run with it.

[Anonymous]

I definitely would have started building my credit earlier! I knew enough to get a credit card in college to start establishing history, but after an unpleasant situation with a relative stealing my identity, I decided the whole system was dangerous and evil, stopped using that card entirely, and didn't touch credit again for years--I wasn't entirely wrong there, but I was wrong to think I could opt out of that system without it being a problem down the road! It wasn't until 6 years later (less than 2 years ago) that I got a new credit card and started using it correctly. All in all it could have gone a lot worse, but if I'd had the foresight to open a few other accounts back then and keep them open, my AAoA would be much higher and more resilient than it is now.

[nawhop]

OMG, UncleB, you sounded just like me. That's exactly how I was before and that now I am also almost obsessed with PIF and collecting cash backs and rebates. Also started gardening before going for a CC app spreed as well. LOL.  I just started to rebuild my credit scores recently when I tried to get a mortgage and had a horrible experience with it. Wished I learned about this site earlier.

[Anonymous]

GOOD for you and keep up the good work!!