VOA常速英语2016--年轻人应合理利用信用卡 构筑自身信贷能力（在线收听）

年轻人应合理利用信用卡 构筑自身信贷能力

Stefanie O'Connell graduated from New York University with a degree in drama and a big debt. With few job opportunities, she became cautious about her finances, that has led her onto a completely different career path, as a financial expert.

斯蒂芬妮刚从纽约大学戏剧专业毕业时负债累累。那时候她手上没有几个工作机会，于是便对自己的财务打理谨慎起来。这也让她走上了一条与自身专业迥然不同的职业道路——理财师。

Through her wealth management blog, she has discovered that a lot of millennials are just like her.

她通过自己的理财博客发现，很多千禧年毕业的学生都有类似的情况。

"They're wary of spending beyond their means, They're wary of tools like credit cards," she explained. "They're wary of taking any kind of risk, even if it is a smart risk, like investing."

“共同点是：大家都不敢超出自己支付能力去支出，不敢使用信用卡这样的工具，也不敢冒任何风险，即便是像投资一样与收益同在的风险”。

What O'Connell sees among her blog readers is supported by Federal Reserve data, which indicates the percentage of Americans under 35 who hold credit card debt has fallen to its lowest level since 1989.

美联储的数据也发现了与斯蒂芬妮一样的结果：35岁以下、持有信用卡的美国人比例已达到自1989年以来的历史新低。

Credit cards are an integral part of the U.S. financial system. Without one, it becomes harder for young people to purchase many goods and services, from a cellphone to an apartment.

信用卡是美国金融体系的有机组成部分。如果没有信用卡，现在的美国年轻人很难购买实物或服务，比如手机、住房等。

"It's critically important for a young person to build credit, to build strong credit,” Levin said. “It doesn't mean that you over credit yourself, but it means that you are wise about your credit, you are a responsible payer, and you don't get yourself in over your head."

莱温表示，构建信贷能力，尤其是较强的信贷能力，对年轻人来说尤为重要。这并不代表年轻人要透支自己，而是代表着他们可以妥善经营自己的信贷，能够负责人地支出不会超出自己能力范围行事。

Apps like Level Money, also known as the financial GPS, can help young people build credit while living within their means.

一些理财app，比如被称作金融GPS的Level Money，可以帮助年轻人在自身能力范围内构建信贷能力。

The apps serve as an online adviser, helping they make better spending decisions and not go deeper into debt.

这些app可以作为在线顾问，帮助学生们更好地理性消费，不会深陷债务之中。