College and credit: Tips for managing your money

Many college students rely on credit cards for expenses, risking excessive debt and poor credit history. Good credit is crucial for jobs, renting, utilities, loans, and insurance. Students should budget, pay bills on time, use credit responsibly, and communicate with creditors. To improve damaged credit, avoid repair scams, pay bills promptly, keep credit utilization low, limit new accounts, and seek credit counseling if needed. Regularly review credit reports for accuracy.