i just recieved my 1st one from Capital one.. Whats the best way to maintain it, and enlarge my credit limit.. Do you make 1 big purchase and pay it off in full.. do you pay the balance off completely before buying more stuff.. Do you use it for everyday use and keep it to a minumum?

Whats the smartest way to shop with credit?

The smartest way to use a credit card is to use it sparingly. Do not use it for every expenditures. Only use it for what you know you can pay in full by your due date.

To establish your credit & be able to request a higher limit, use the card for the next few months (say 6?) and pay it off every month by the due date. After the six or so months are up, call Capital One and request a limit increase.

Rule #1 with a credit card should be to NOT live beyond your means. If you don't have the money to pay the balance in full every month, don't carry the card with you all the time. This will prevent you from "impulse shopping". Of course, if you have an emergency come up (i.e. the engine in your car blows up, your house burns & you have no where to live, etc.), you'll have credit available so that you can take care of yourself. Just be sure to pay it off as quickly as possible.

The banks are not offering you the card for your best interest - they're doing it to make money off of you.