Credit card use: disposable income and employment status

Purpose College students often embrace credit card use and do not always consider the potential risks of incurring debt from irresponsible credit card use. This paper aims to focus on this issue. Design/methodology/approach College students (n=301) were surveyed and reported their disposable income and employment status. Outcome variables were attitudes toward irresponsible credit card use, compulsive buying, money anxiety, and money price sensitivity. Findings It is found that an incremental pattern of greater levels of disposable income and employment was associated with greater credit card use irresponsibility. Greater levels of disposable income were associated with greater levels of compulsive buying and money anxiety. Part‐time employment was associated with the greatest level of money price sensitivity. Originality/value The paper shows that college students should seek information about, or counseling for, the responsibilities associated with credit card use and proper handling of personal finances.