Limited or no credit? You’re in good company.
Many times, consumers with no credit history are new to the world of credit. They can find themselves in a Catch-22 scenario.
“You need to have a credit history to get credit,” says Jennifer Tescher, founder and CEO of the Financial Health Network in Chicago. “And you need to have credit to build credit history.”
If you primarily use cash and aren’t looking to borrow money right now, you may think this doesn’t apply to you. But what happens when the time comes to finance a car, take out a mortgage, or rent an apartment? You need to have a credit score to back you up.
Building credit from scratch may feel like an impossible task, but here are five strategies you can follow to beef up your credit file.
Become an Authorized User
If you don’t have a credit history, getting approved for a credit card can be tricky. One way to reap the benefits of a credit card without actually applying for one on your own is by becoming an authorized user.
As an authorized user, any purchases made on the account by you become part of the primary cardholder’s account balance. This strategy can be chancy for the authorized user because the liability falls entirely on the primary cardholder.
The authorized user could suffer if the account holder misses payments, goes into collections, or declares bankruptcy. However, in the perfect scenario, the authorized user gets charging privileges on another person’s credit card, stays within whatever limits the cardholder sets, and establishes a history of on-time payments and responsible card usage. Becoming an authorized user and developing strong financial habits can help boost your credit score because as long as the card remains in good standing, that will be reflected in your own credit history.
Before attempting this arrangement, find out from the issuer if you have the power to remove yourself from the account. Also, ask the issuer what would happen to account information — good or bad — that’s already on your report if you’re no longer an authorized user.
If you become an authorized user, monitor your credit report regularly to ensure the account is being reported to one of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Apply for a Secured Credit Card
Your thin credit history may not be robust enough for you to qualify for an unsecured credit card, but one possible solution is to apply for a secured credit card.
Secured credit cards require a cash deposit as collateral. A cash deposit typically determines your credit limit and is often equal to 50 percent to 100 percent of the initial deposit. While this limits the amount you can spend, it provides individuals with damaged or limited credit histories an opportunity to qualify for a line of credit.
Applying for a secured card and making your monthly payments on time is an excellent way to build credit. Some secured credit cards automatically graduate to traditional credit cards when cardholders have a history of making on-time payments.
Beware of cards that come with a bunch of charges, like application fees, annual fees, and maintenance fees. Good cards for people with limited credit history exist — even ones that pay rewards.
Make a Small Purchase
While most negative information comes off your credit report after seven years, even the good accounts can disappear after 10 years if they’ve been closed or inactive. In addition, some scoring formulas can’t generate a credit score if it’s been a while since any of your creditors reported to the bureaus.
That means some people who had robust credit files at one time could potentially find themselves with a thin file or no credit score if they close accounts (or stop using credit).
If you have a history of credit but no longer have a score, make a small purchase on one of your existing accounts and pay it off right away. That will give you the recent activity the scoring formula needs to assign you a score.
Report Your Monthly Rent Payments
If you don’t want to use a credit card to build credit, there are a few other options to consider. When you pay your rent each month, it typically isn’t reported — however, those payments could help boost your credit score.
A service offered by Experian allows individuals who rent from a landlord or property management company (that does not already report data) to sign up through a rent payment service working with Experian RentBureau. This service allows rent payments to be collected electronically while having the ability to report your rental payment history to Experian RentBureau.
If this is not an option, there are other rent-reporting services that can help boost your credit, but it comes at a cost. Using a third-party rent payment service may not be the most cost-effective method to build your credit, but it is an option worth considering.
Apply for a Store Card
Tread carefully with this one because you don’t want to get yourself in financial trouble with a store credit card. However, credit cards offered by stores are usually easier to qualify for than standard credit cards. If you frequent a certain grocery store, for example, consider signing up for the store credit card to build credit while you are shopping for groceries each month.
Trips to the grocery store are expenses you are going to have no matter what, so it could benefit you in the long run to exchange your debit card for the store credit card. Keep in mind that store cards tend to have higher interest rates and lower credit limits than traditional credit cards.
If you do decide to go this route to begin your credit journey, establish a strategy to pay off your entire balance each month. If you don’t, you may be hit with high interest charges — and that will hurt your credit score, not help it.
The Bottom Line
After opening your first line of credit — in whatever form that may be — it’s important to adopt smart financial habits to build a strong credit history. Keep your balance low and make on-time payments each month. It may take a few months before your payment history can generate a credit score, but it is always better to start working on building your credit before you actually need it.
For more news and information, visit News Explorer Today.
FAQs
Q: How can I build credit with no credit history?
A: Building credit with no credit history can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can follow. Some options include becoming an authorized user, applying for a secured credit card, making a small purchase on an existing account, reporting your monthly rent payments, and applying for a store card.
Q: Which strategy is the best for building credit with no credit history?
A: The best strategy for building credit with no credit history depends on your individual circumstances and goals. Becoming an authorized user or applying for a secured credit card are often recommended as good starting points. However, it’s important to carefully consider the risks and benefits of each strategy before making a decision.
Conclusion
Building credit with no credit history may seem like a daunting task, but it is definitely possible. By following these strategies and developing good financial habits, you can lay the foundation for a strong credit history. Remember to start early and be consistent in your efforts. Good luck on your journey to building credit!
For more news and information, visit News Explorer Today.