Think way back when you got your first credit card. For most people this was the first of many credit cards that you obtained in your life time. Unfortunately, you may not know what you are getting yourself into.

If you have yet to get your first credit card you should follow a few simple steps to ensure you do not get taken advantage of.

One of the most important things is determining how much you will have to repay in the end. Credit cards companies make money by charging fees, such as late payment fees and other fees you may not be aware of. Always read the fine print which will usually notify you of possible fees.

The extra cost associated with credit cards are interest fees, monthly fees, annual fees, overdraft fees, and late fees. That is why we recommend examining all fees prior to using the card or you may end up paying more than you ever imagined for a simple purchase.

If you do not pay off your credit cards within the set time period(usually 30 days), you will be charged interest.

When thinking about getting a certain credit card you should analyze your spending habits. If you are interested in using a credit card to make purchases that you cannot afford to payoff in the near future, you will want to examine what the minimum monthly payments and interest rate are on the card that you are interested in.

The interest rate is important, the longer you let interest build up month after month you will get interest charges on the previous month's interest. This can put you into a big hole fast!

If you can avoid late payments. Late payments will get interest charged to you as well as a late payment fee. Not to mention a "ding" on your credit report.

Remember credit cards used responsibly can be a good thing, but they can also become a money trap if you do not practice due diligence when using them. You need to be careful how you use a credit card, this rests solely on your shoulders so be careful!

One other thing to consider is do not open more credit cards than you need. Each time a credit company views you credit report it charges you with an inquiry, too many of these and it can negatively affect your credit score.

Choosing the proper credit card can seem daunting; follow the steps above to a healthy, secure and safe credit future.