
Establishing a good credit history has never been as important as it is today.
It's not just that you'll need good credit to get decent rates when you're ready to buy your home. Your credit history can determine whether you get a good job, a decent apartment or reasonable rates on insurance. One seemingly minor misstep -- a late payment, maxing out your credit cards, applying for too much credit at once -- can haunt you for years. If you're just starting out, you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a credit history the right way.
Apply for a Credit Card
Look for a credit card with a low or nonexistent annual fee and low interest rates. For now, just get one: Opening a slew of credit accounts in a short period of time can make you look like a risky customer.
If you can't get a regular credit card, apply for the secured version. These require you to deposit money with a lender; your credit limit is usually equal to the deposit.
Please review our list of the types of credit cards that you may be interested in obtaining to help build your credit. |