Have you ever heard of the Citi mtvU card? If not, it’s one of the only cards that gives you 5% cashback as ThankYou Network reward points at restaurants, movie theaters and bookstores, including Amazon.com.

That’s right, the coveted 5% cashback.

The card is designed for students but when I got it I wasn’t a student. I don’t know how it is now but it’s always worth a shot.

Building and maintaining a strong credit history is a must these days. In the past, only lenders cared about your credit score and your credit history. Now, everyone from landlords to employers are checking your credit history and using it as a proxy for reliability and trustworthiness. They believe that someone with a low credit score and a weak history is less trustworthy, which may or may not be true, so it’s important for you to build and maintain a strong credit score and history. This is best accomplished when you’re a student because you’re finally on your own.

The first step is to try to apply for a student credit card such as the Citi mtvU credit card. The Citi mtvU card isn’t just the non-student card with higher interest rates and more fees, it’s actually a tailored card with features a student would like like 5% cashback at bookstores, points for good grades and on-time payment. It also means that students are more likely to be accepted. If you try to get a regular consumer credit card, the rules are going to be more stringent.

If you don’t qualify for that card, consider getting a credit card from a store you shop at in the mall. These cards often have low limits and zero benefits (make sure you get a card with no annual fee!) but you’re looking to build credit, not get access to easy debt. If you can get the mtvU card, or some other student card, don’t bother with getting a store card.

Don’t sign up for a credit card at some random table at school. 95% of these tables are legitimate, but you always run the risk of giving out all that sensitive data to a complete stranger that you shouldn’t trust. That person could use that information to steal your identity. Not worth it.

Good luck!

Did you know that many credit cards offer a price protection program? Yep. If you notice that a particular item you’ve purchased has gone on sale or is cheaper somewhere else, you can contact your credit card company for a refund of the difference. Usually stores will not honor online prices and require the price to appear in print.

With Citi cards that have Citi Price Protection, you can get up to $250 per transaction if you notice a price drop within 60 days, with a maximum benefit of $1,000 a year.

With American Express, the program is called the Best Value Guarantee. Coverage is up to $250 per item, excluding taxes, shipping, and handling, for up to 60 days and up to $1,000 a year.

Other card issuers may also have similar programs.

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Also, be sure to check out this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance in which DMH article Don’t Quit Jobs for Less Than an 8% Raise was included.

Quick and easy 100 ThankYou Network points:

• Log into your Citi ThankYou Network account
• Enter promotion code CITICCI508IN for 100 points