Credit Is Everything · Adulting Unfiltered

Credit Is Everything

Credit Is Everything—And No One Told Me That

By Jamie Lambert

Quick question:

Did anyone pull you aside at 18 and say, “Hey… don’t screw up your credit or you’ll be paying for it for the next 7–10 years”?

No? Same.

I was handed a diploma and a “Good luck!”—but no one warned me that credit is the invisible scorecard for adulthood. And trust me, it matters.

💀 The Harsh Reality:

Credit affects everything:

Getting a car
Renting an apartment
Applying for a job (yes, some check it!)
Getting a phone plan
Even your insurance rates

But most 18-year-olds are taught NOTHING about credit until it’s too late—when the damage is done and your score is lower than your GPA senior year.

🚩 My First Credit Mistake:

Let me paint the picture:

18, excited, broke—but approved for a store credit card with a $500 limit. “Wow,” I thought, “I can finally get that new outfit for the party and pay it off later.”

Spoiler:

“Later” turned into “never,” and that $500 outfit ended up costing me over $1,000 with late fees, interest, and shame.

I didn’t know that late payments and high balances kill your credit.

No one told me the rules of the game.

So I lost.

🧠 5 Credit Truths Every 18-Year-Old Should Know:

Credit is not free money.It’s a loan—with strings, interest, and consequences.
Your payment history matters most.Always pay at least the minimum. ON TIME.
Keep your balance under 30% of your limit.Got a $300 limit? Don’t spend more than $90.
Avoid co-signing.If they don’t pay, YOU suffer. Don’t be the hero.
Your score doesn’t define your worth—but it does define your access.Play it smart, and future-you will thank you.

🛠 What You Can Do Now:

Get a starter credit card and use it for ONE bill you can pay off each month (like Netflix or gas).
Check your score regularly. Sites like Credit Karma are free.
Build smart habits early. Set reminders, pay bills on time, and don’t spend what you don’t have.

💬 Let’s Talk:

What’s something you wish someone told you about credit?

Or… what credit mistake did you learn the hard way? Drop it below 👇

🔥 Call to Action:

Read Chapter 2 of I Just Turned 18—WTF!!! to avoid the trap that most adults fall into.

Your credit can be your superpower—if you learn how to use it.

🛒 [Get the book here]

📱Follow @IJustTurned18WTF for real-deal advice your school skipped.

💌 Have a credit horror story? Share it with us—your pain might save someone else.

🧠 AFFIRMATION OF THE WEEK:

“I am building a future where my money works for me, not against me.”

You’re learning. You’re growing. You’re not alone.