Whether you are a college student, a young adult fresh out of college or a person who simply want to build up their credit history, you have probably asked this question quite recently. Well it is not a difficult question to answer nor is it a tough process to go through.

But that may be the wrong question to ask at this point. What you should be asking yourself is how to sign up for a credit card without ending up in debt?

Here are the steps that you need to follow to help you answer that question.

1. Know your financial requirements.

First of all, you want to understand how you will use the credit card. Will it be used for travelling or to help you purchase your basic necessities?

2. Research the different credit card types you can apply for.

There are various cards that will suit your preferences well. The key is to stay out of credit card debt and to maximize the rewards of your card is to choose a card that suits your spending lifestyle perfectly. You have the standard credit cards that are usually given at a low interest rate. There is also the rewards card that is usually specific to a spending lifestyle (e.g. travel cards, store cards, or gas cards.) There is also the business credit card that you can only use for office-related expenses. Choose which one you will use before you ask yourself how to sign up for a credit card.

3. Search for the right credit card company.

There are many credit card issuers out there. Choosing which will provide you with the right services can help you in the long run so this deserves some consideration. Whether you choose to sign up for a credit card online or in person, you should research the customer satisfaction reputation of that company. Are they known to raise interest rates easily? Do they have a lot of fees and penalty charges?

Find out which of them offers the best payment terms. Stay away from those who will not allow you to sign up for a credit card online free of charge. Most issuers should not ask you to pay for anything to apply for the card.

4. Take your time to choose the card you will apply for.

If the need a day or a week to make your choice, take you time – at least, if you do not need the card for an immediate purchase. Pore over the fine prints of the contract and call the customer service for any clause in the credit card agreement that you do not understand. Only when you know and understand all the details should you make a decision as to what card you will apply for.

5. Fill out the application form and submit it.

Finally, when you have made your decision, go to the official website of your chosen card, fill out the application form and send it. Wait a couple of days or weeks for your credit card to arrive. If they decline, you may want to find out why they did not accept your application before you apply with another company.

Hopefully, this answers your question of how to sign up for a credit card. Now that you know how to sign up, make sure you read more about how you can properly use your credit card.