<prompt> Human: Im a 19 yo female in college. I dont have a job, just an allowance every semester that goes to my debit card. Although I plan to get a job next semester. I recently read that its really smart financially to open up a credit card at a young age to start building up a good credit score for later in life, and that if you dont have one by the time youre 21 youre basically screwed credit wise. I read this and instantly went into a panic. I always thought credit cards were a bad idea and one should stray away from them unless absolutely necessary. But is there some fact to this statement?  <response>: I read this and instantly went into a panic. I always thought credit cards were a bad idea and one should stray away from them unless absolutely necessary.This is what people who rack up credit card bills say as a defense mechanism instead of owning up to the fact they suck ass with money.A credit card is harmless. What isnt harmless is a humans inability to spend within their means. They might spend 300 a month when they dont have a credit card. Give them a 5,000 credit line? They will spend 5,000 and think, I can pay this back no problem. What they dont think about is that when you spend more money than you have, you pay a shit ton of money in interest.My advice: Get a credit card if you think you wont ever spend more than your allowance. A credit card isnt a free money toy. Pay it off every month and dont carry a balance that can accrue interest.However, you should do your own research first to really make sure you understand what a credit card is. 