This booklet on managing credit, 1 in a series of 12, covers all the basic aspects of personal- and family-money management. Suitable for use by high school and college students as well as adults, this handbook tells how to establish credit, determine credit limits, and maintain a favorable credit history. Section 1 on understanding consumer credit presents basic information, including what consumer credit is, pros and cons of credit, the cost of credit, credit worthiness, comparing credit charges, types of consumer credit, sources of cash credit, and consumer credit agreements. Section 2 on managing credit dollars discusses uses of credit, including shopping for credit, handling financial difficulties, and managing credit in the future. Following a list of suggested resources (organizations, books, and pamphlets) are these appendixes: United States credit legislation in brief (act, major provisions, page/reference, penalties for noncompliance, governing agencies), a glossary, and methods for computing credit charges. (YLB)