Quote Originally Posted by GOD GUNDAM View Post
If opening a credit card does damage my credit history, then how can I start my credit history on the right track? How does a department credit card and/or gas card differ from a credit card?
Taking out a loan, though you need a co-signer for that.

The reason you need to use a credit card regularly is that they need multiple examples of you being good at getting the money back to you. If you borrow and pay back money a lot of times, it shows more dedication to repaying your debts than borrowing money just once.

That said, don't get yourself into trouble by borrowing more than you can pay. Interest is absolutely killer and it's easy to get behind. Basically, don't feel like you need to pay for every purchase with a credit card just to build up your credit rating. Use it when you need it.

Also, don't go for a department store card or something like that. Go through a bank. Department store cards et al have ridiculous terms and interests rates and are just trying to suck you in with a miniscule discount. They're a scam.

edit: I think what Yams meant is holding multiple credit cards (like having a standard card, but also getting secondary ones through stores and such) hurts your credit, because you're borrowing from multiple sources instead of just one place. If you just open one (and definitely do go through a bank, your local one should have everything you need to set one up) you should be fine.