Building Credit

[amicold]

Looking to get a credit card, I'm fairly young and have never had one before but now seems like a good time to start building a solid credit history. Anyone have any recommendations as to what to go with? Thanks.

 

[Kelemvor]

http://www.bettercreditcard.com

 

[xeemzor]

Originally posted by: amicold
Looking to get a credit card, I'm fairly young and have never had one before but now seems like a good time to start building a solid credit history. Anyone have any recommendations as to what to go with? Thanks.

My personal favorite, along with many others, is the Chase Freedom card. If you can't qualify for the card due to a low credit score, you should try some of the college/high school credit cards just to build credit until you can get a decent card.

 

[Crono]

I was in the same situation as you 1 year ago. I went with Chase Freedom (got in on the $250 bonus). No matter what card you get, just make sure you only buy stuff you have the cash on hand (in the bank) to pay for.

EDIT: On a side note, it seems Chase is taking over the entire East Coast, specifically where I live/work (NYC and surrounding suburbs). They multiplied their number of locations by a ridiculous amount of the last couple of years.

 

[amicold]

I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

Checkout the Citi Dividend Card for Students. I started with a $1000 limit 4 years ago and now have $20,000. It gives 3% rewards on gas, groceries, and utilities, and 1% on everything else.

 

[bctbct]

If you can get your parents to add you as an authorized user(you dont need a card) on their account, that would help your score in a few months. I think this loophole still works.

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

Is there anything inherently wrong with getting a CapOne or HSBC card? My daughter got them when she had no credit, albeit low limits of 3-500.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

Is there anything inherently wrong with getting a CapOne or HSBC card? My daughter got them when she had no credit, abeit low limits of 3-500.

Nope.

 

[xeemzor]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

Shouldn't you only need a secured card if you have really bad credit, rather than no credit?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: xeemzor

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

Shouldn't you only need a secured card if you have really bad credit, rather than no credit?

Both but I think it's more useful if you have no credit.

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: xeemzor

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

Shouldn't you only need a secured card if you have really bad credit, rather than no credit?

That's what I always thought. There are unsecured cards for first timers, as long as they make enough money and have a job.

 

[BZeto]

Since when is it hard to get a credit card? The card companies are usually targetting younger folks first.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

Why would you get a secured card if you didn't need it? That's terrible advice. Most make you go through tons of hoops to try to get your money back. Odds are he would be approved for most cards with a 500-1000 limit anyways assuming he hasn't fucked up his credit on other things. The only reason to get a secured card is if you're being denied for credit outright. Also, you're telling him to eventually close the first credit account that he opens which is also terrible advice.

OP, find a card like the Chase Freedom with decent rewards and just apply for that. If you live with mommy and daddy be sure to include their income when asked for your household income. Include roommates if you live with other people. Oh and next time, check one of the other hundred threads on this topic.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: bctbct
If you can get your parents to add you as an authorized user(you dont need a card) on their account, that would help your score in a few months. I think this loophole still works.

You need to be added as a co-applicant...there is a difference but this method worked very well for my younger sister. She had a 780 FICO before she even actually applied for her first card.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: BZeto
Since when is it hard to get a credit card? The card companies are usually targetting younger folks first.

Exactly, walk through any college campus and they're handing out tshirts and credit cards to anyone with a pulse. If you haven't ran up your cards yet they're dying to get one in your hands so you do.

 

[MyThirdEye]

Gas card?

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

They key is to keep a balance though. Dont pay off the balance every month. CC companies dont like people that pay off their balance.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: homercles337

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

They key is to keep a balance though. Dont pay off the balance every month. CC companies dont like people that pay off their balance.

?

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: homercles337

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

They key is to keep a balance though. Dont pay off the balance every month. CC companies dont like people that pay off their balance.

who gives a fvck what the CC companies like.

If you monitor your credit you should have no problem getting credit cards. FatWallet finance is a good place to start. you can check creditboards but their uh mentality is a bit different than FWF's

 

[palswim]

Originally posted by: homercles337

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

They key is to keep a balance though. Dont pay off the balance every month. CC companies dont like people that pay off their balance.

DO pay your balance every month. Otherwise, you waste your money - you can obtain the same high marks paying your balance in full every month.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

Is there anything inherently wrong with getting a CapOne or HSBC card? My daughter got them when she had no credit, albeit low limits of 3-500.

my parents got a CapitalOne card for me when I was 16. never had an issue with it, paid everything on time, and I had pretty great credit when I got my first "real" CC when I was 20.

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: homercles337

They key is to keep a balance though. Dont pay off the balance every month. CC companies dont like people that pay off their balance.

You're right, they don't. But you build credit exactly the same if you pay it 100% every month versus paying ridiculous finance charges.

 

[LukFilm]

Originally posted by: homercles337

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amicold
I understand, I was looking for something low limit so I could just put gas and maybe odds and ends on it to establish a good history until I can get a "real" card. Ha.

I would recommend saving up $300 - $500 and getting a secured credit card. When my sister turned 18 she had zero credit, applied for a secured cc and was approved. She used it for a year, making all her payments on time. 1 year later she applied for a "regular" rewards credit card, was approved and now routinely gets offers for $5k - $10k cc's.

Most local banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards. You'll get back your deposit + interest earned after you close your account.

They key is to keep a balance though. Dont pay off the balance every month. CC companies dont like people that pay off their balance.

Worst advice EVER. Please don't listen to this fool - pay off your balance in full every month.