At 18, you now have the opportunity to start building your credit history, and trust me, it's a big deal. Your credit score influences everything from renting an apartment to buying a car or even getting a mortgage down the road. And you may not be thinking of that for a few years, but here's why managing your credit now is essential:

Establishing a solid credit history early on sets you up for financial success in the future. Lenders look at your credit report to determine your creditworthiness, so starting now means you'll have a longer credit history by the time you need it.

So, how can you start managing your credit responsibly?

You might want to begin with a secured credit card and maintain a low credit limit. Ease into credit as applying for a number of cards at once can negatively affect your score.

Your payment history makes up a significant portion of your credit score, so always pay bills and credit card balances on time, even your cell phone bill. Set up automatic payments so you don’t forget.

Aim to keep your credit card balances low relative to your credit limits. Ideally keep your balance at 30-50% of your credit limit as high credit utilization can negatively impact your score. Keeping your balance near limit, even if you pay it off in full each month can also have a negative impact.

Check Your Credit Report: Regularly review your credit report to catch any errors or signs of identity theft early on. You can do this for free from sites like myborrowell.

Remember, your credit score is a reflection of your financial habits. By managing credit responsibly from the start, you're setting yourself up for a bright financial future. If you have any questions or need guidance, don't hesitate to reach out. Here's to smart financial decisions and a prosperous journey into adulthood!