BUILDING YOUR CREDIT CAN BE TRICKY. IF YOU DON’T HAVE A CREDIT HISTORY, IT’S HARD TO GET A LOAN, A CREDIT CARD, OR EVEN AN APARTMENT.

BUT HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO SHOW A HISTORY OF RESPONSIBLE REPAYMENT IF NO ONE WILL GIVE YOU CREDIT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

SEVERAL TOOLS CAN HELP YOU ESTABLISH A CREDIT HISTORY:

• If you aim To Get A Credit Card, You Could Start With A Secured Credit Card Or Co-Signed Card, Or Ask To Be An Authorized User On Another Person’s Card.
• If You Want To Build Credit Without A Credit Card, You Might Try A Credit-Builder Loan, Secured Loan, Or Co-Signed Loan. There Are Also Ways To Use Rent, Phone, And Utility Payments To Build Credit. Some Of These Ways Are Free, Others Carry A Fee.

HERE’S A LOOK AT CREDIT-BUILDING TOOLS, AND HOW TO USE THEM TO EARN A GOOD CREDIT SCORE.

1. Get A Secured Card
2. Get A Credit-Builder Product Or A Secured Loan
3. Use A Co-Signer
4. Become An Authorized User
5. Get Credit For The Bills You Pay
6. Practice Good Credit Habits
7. Check Your Credit Scores And Reports