 TITLE: How to Get Your First Credit Card CONTENT: Choosing a Retail Card for Your First Credit Card\n-------------------------------------------------\nAnother option for your first credit card is to apply for a retail or store card issued by a major retailer. These types of credit cards, which may offer some rewards, are meant to be used primarily at the stores that issue them, though sometimes they can also be used elsewhere.\nRetailers offer these cards as a way to encourage consumers to buy their products and spend money at their stores. As a result, retail cards generally have less stringent credit requirements for approval, making them an option for consumers with little or no credit history.\nWhile most retail cards can only be used to make purchases at specific stores, most of the cards are backed by a major card issuer and your payment history and balances are reported to one of the three major credit bureaus.\nRetail credit cards can come with certain pitfalls, however. They generally carry much higher interest rates than other cards, so you will want to be mindful of not carrying a balance. Retail cards also typically come with lower credit limits, so it's important to pay attention to your credit utilization ratio. Utilization is one of the most important factors in calculating your credit score—accounting for 30% of your FICO® Score—and it is recommended to keep your total ratio below 30% of your total combined credit limits (and below 10% for the best scores). END