The Green Disguise
By Mackenzie Hudson

New Release CD- $15.00
A new pair of jeans- $25.00
A pair of shoes- $40.00
Having good credit- Priceless

A day at the mall can be fun, but what if you don't have the cash for it? Use a credit card! I'm sure you'll get plenty of offers for them soon, but what's the catch? How can you avoid falling into the trap that credit cards seem to disguise with the color green?

Most teenagers procrastinate, whether it's finishing tonight's homework or the credit card bill. Doesn't it sound great to wait until the end of the month before you have to cough up the cash for everything you've bought; to know you only have a minimum payment and that you have "the power" right there in your pocket? Interest can be the enemy, though, and before you know it, your bill will be sky high.

Decisions about paying the minimum and believing a credit card can buy you anything can leave you penniless. If you don't plan ahead and pay your bills, you could ruin your credit forever. When you're older and want a loan to buy a car or a house, banks could refuse you because of your previous mistakes. Don't let your material wants of today affect your future basic needs!

Bad credit may have consequences, but good credit has rewards. These rewards can be the trust of your parents and the bank, the ability to get a loan when you need it, and the simple fact of having no worries about how ugly your next credit card bill may be. Think about your future. After all, is that pair of jeans you've been admiring really worth the possibility of sacrificing your good name for your whole life?