Young people often have their first brush with credit when they leave home to start work or enter college. It is important to teach students about credit early, before they turn 18 and become eligible to sign up for credit cards in their own name. Credit poses risks for the unwary, and many young people get burned. They may pay high annual percentage rates and fees, or borrow more than they can comfortably repay. It is far too easy for young people to learn about managing credit the hard way--by being unable to pay bills on time and damaging their credit record. And a bad credit record has real consequences--not only does it affect the ability to get loans, but it can also be a factor in renting an apartment or even getting a job. Teaching high school students about how to use credit responsibly can help young people manage their credit--and their debt--after they leave school and move on to college or the workplace. This article seeks to answer some of the most common questions about credit so that young people can be educated about how to get good credit, and keep it. Includes a budgeting exercise for students. (Contains 6 resources.)