First salary brings freedom; first card brings rules. Start clean and stay calm. Build credit before credit builds you.
Government and newspaper guides repeat the core idea: pay the total due on time and the grace period stays alive; miss full payment once and interest wakes up from purchase dates (Reserve Bank of India, 2024; The Indian Express, 2025).
Starter Rules That Stick
- Set autopay for the full statement amount on day one.
- Keep credit use under one‑third of your limit; raise the limit later, not the spend (Business Standard, 2025).
- Use one card for the first year; learn the cycle; track every rupee.
Humor break: Points are like free fries, fine once you have paid for the burger.
No‑Cost EMI, Not No‑Thought EMI
Newspaper explainers often show how some “no‑cost” deals move the discount into the price tag. Buy only what you planned to buy without the EMI sticker (Mint, 2025).
Chiasmus: Learn to pay before you learn to earn; learn to earn before you learn to spend.
Takeaways at a Glance
- Autopay total due; never miss grace (Reserve Bank of India, 2024).
- Keep usage below one‑third of limit; avoid multiple new cards early (Business Standard, 2025).
- Treat no‑cost EMIs with caution; price first, sticker second (Mint, 2025).
Your Turn
Share the first rule you wrote for your money. Seniors, add one tip for the class of this year.
Closing
Short habits beat long interest; start small, stay steady.
Short poetic disclaimer:
I write to guide, not decide; your money, your stride.
Sources
- Reserve Bank of India. (2024). Master Direction: Credit Card and Debit Card: Issuance and Conduct. https://www.rbi.org.in/
- Business Standard. (2025, February 12). Beginner credit limits and score basics. https://www.business-standard.com/
- The Indian Express. (2025, January 8). Minimum due and the loss of grace period. https://indianexpress.com/
- Mint. (2025, April 3). No‑cost EMI myths. https://www.livemint.com/