| Almost everyone needs credit. If you are renting an | | | | card, so if you find one available with low interest |
| apartment, applying for a mortgage, applying for a | | | | rates and a low or no annual fee, you may want to |
| car loan, or even applying for a job, you will need | | | | apply. Student credit cards are mainly designed for |
| some type of credit history, as credit decisions are | | | | people with no prior credit, and they accept a large |
| often based on your prior use of credit. If you are a | | | | percentage of applicants. However, don't get more |
| young adult or are still in college, you have a unique | | | | than one card, as its too easy to start running up |
| opportunity to start building a solid credit history that | | | | balances, and it also looks better for your credit if |
| can serve you for many years to come. By carefully | | | | you don't open a number of accounts in a short |
| building credit and avoiding credit mistakes, you can | | | | period of time. |
| insure a strong credit history. | | | | If you are unable to get an unsecured credit card, |
| Although you may not have credit yet, you should | | | | you still have some options to establish credit with a |
| try to get a copy of your credit report for the credit | | | | credit card. If you have a savings account, your bank |
| bureaus, so you can check if there is any inaccurate | | | | may let you apply for a secured credit card tied to |
| information. Additionally, you will want to make sure | | | | your savings account. Over time, once you make |
| that you haven't been a victim of identity theft, with | | | | regular on time payments, you should be able to |
| someone using your name and trashing your credit. | | | | qualify for a non-secured card. You should also make |
| The three bureaus are: Equifax, Experian and Trans | | | | sure your payments are reported to the credit |
| Union, and they can be contacted online, as well as | | | | bureaus, otherwise you won't be building your credit |
| by phone and mail. | | | | history. |
| One of the first steps to building credit is to open a | | | | Another option is to get a co-signer. If someone has |
| checking and a savings account in your name. You | | | | good credit, that will extend it to you, by putting |
| may already have an account, and it is something | | | | their name as being jointly responsible for your limit |
| many lenders will look at, as it show stability. If you | | | | on your card. This will help your credit history if you |
| only have a checking account, you may also want to | | | | pay off the loan in a responsible way. If you do have |
| open a savings account as well, which can be used as | | | | a co-signer, you have a serious responsibility to make |
| collateral for a secured loan, if necessary. | | | | sure your payments are timely, or you will hurt their |
| You should also have as many bills as you can listed | | | | credit as well as your own. |
| in your name, such as your telephone and cellular bill. | | | | With some foresight, it can be relatively easy to |
| Make sure you pay all of your bills on time, as this is | | | | start building credit. Once you get a credit card, its |
| a major factor in your credit score. If you can, try to | | | | important to keep the balance low, and to make |
| establish the accounts in your name only. | | | | regular, on time payments. The card should be used |
| The next step would be to get a credit card. If you | | | | as a tool for credit building, not as a additional |
| are a student, you may be bombarded by credit | | | | spending money. Over time, you credit will start to |
| offers on campus. Its a good idea to get one credit | | | | look better and better. |