Make at least a rough budget plan and stick to it. Your credit card should
not be a part of the plan unless you have had a real financial emergency and
had to use it. In that case, budget for payments as large as you possibly can.
If you pay only the minimum, you may retire before you pay off the card. Make
sure your payments are on time. If they aren't, interest is jacked up and there
are late fees.
That first credit card is often heady and the money charged often doesn't
feel like real money. You can run up a bill very quickly by using it to eat
out, get that cute outfit, or buy a really nice birthday gift for a new friend.
You should try limiting the card to one or two small purchases a month and save
it for a real financial emergency. No, going to Palm
Springs for spring break is not a real emergency.