Your credit score can affect everything from the apartment you rent to the car you buy, or even whether you get hired for a new job. Building credit might feel intimidating when you’re just getting started, especially since it may be difficult to get credit if you don’t already have it, but small steps can make a big impact.
In this article, you’ll learn how to use tools like credit builder loans, credit card balance transfers, and consistent repayment strategies to build and improve your credit history.
There are a variety of credit options specifically designed for first-time users.
Secured credit cards require a security deposit before using the card. Your security deposit is often equivalent to your credit limit. For example, a $500 deposit will result in a $500 credit limit. If you’re unable to make your payment, the issuer may use your security deposit to pay your bill.
With a credit builder loan, you don’t receive any money up front. Instead, your lender puts the loan amount into a secured account. You make regular monthly payments towards the loan for a set period of time. The lender reports your payments to the credit bureaus to help build your score. At the end of the loan term, you get back the money you’ve paid, minus interest and fees, and you’ll have the beginnings of a credit history.
Consider asking a trusted friend or family member with a good credit score if they’ll add you as an authorized user on their credit card. The primary cardholder is ultimately responsible for ensuring the card is paid back, but getting into the habit of paying your share each month is another good way to build good credit habits.
Your payment history accounts for the largest portion of your credit score. Ideally, you’ll want to pay your entire balance each month, but make sure you always pay at least the monthly minimum amount. If you find it challenging to pay your balance in full, try making smaller payments throughout the month.
To build your credit score, you also want to avoid maxing out your credit card. Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of available credit that’s in use. A high credit utilization ratio can act as a red flag to lenders, making it seem like you’re overextending yourself. Ideally, you want to use less than 30% of your credit limit.
If you previously opened a credit card — or multiple credit cards — but you didn’t have the skills to manage your credit wisely, you may have racked up more of a bill than you can manage. In that case, a credit card balance transfer offer may help you consolidate and pay down your balances with less interest, as well as give you the chance to practice the good credit habits you’ll need to manage your card more carefully in the future.
With a balance transfer, you can move your existing balance from one or more credit cards to the new card at a lower interest rate. Cards with balance transfer promotions often offer low or 0% interest rates during an introductory period, which typically ranges from six to 36 months. Paying down all or most of your balance during this period may help you save on interest.
If you choose take advantage of a credit card balance transfer offer, it’s often a good idea to keep your old accounts open, since closing them may reduce your credit utilization and the length of your credit history.
Each time you apply for new credit, the lender will do a hard credit inquiry, which can negatively impact your credit score. You should only apply for new credit when you really need it.
Building a credit history doesn’t happen overnight, but with some hard work and patience, you can strengthen your credit score one step at a time. There are a number of financial products and strategies that can help you establish a credit history and develop good credit habits that may serve you for years to come.
Name: Sonakshi Murze
Job Title: Manager
Email: sonakshi.murze@iquanti.com
