7 Ways to Get Credit When You Don't Have Any

Credit is one of those things you don’t want to be without. But, as we all know, the credit game is definitely a Catch-22. You need a good credit history to snag the best deals on loans, yet it’s very difficult to get credit without a borrowing history.

1. Become an Authorized User

If a friend or family member has exceptional credit and faithfully pays their bills on time each month, request to be added as an authorized user to that person’s credit card.

Afraid that your prospect will say no out of fear that you will rack up an excessive amount of debt and bail out? Inform them that you are only requesting to be added to the account; the magic plastic does not need to be in your possession.

While this is a simple way to start building your credit as long as the original cardholder maintains stellar credit habits, the weight given to accounts in which you are an authorized user varies by lender and it might not be as effective as you hope.

2. Get a Co-Signer

You can also request that a close friend or family member with good credit co-sign a loan with you.

Keep in mind that’s asking a lot, because the co-signer becomes responsible for making the payments if you don’t pay. It’s generally advised that people avoid co-signing loans for other people because of the risk involved.

3. Apply for a Secured Credit Card or One that Doesn’t Require Credit History

Lots of lenders offer secured credit cards to those who are new to credit. They mandate a deposit be used as collateral and typically have a credit limit of that amount.

Some lenders refund your deposit and convert the card to an unsecured card after you show your ability to handle debt responsibly for a time.

Before you apply though, ask about the creditor’s reporting practices. If they don’t report to all three major credit bureaus, account activity won’t have any effect on your credit profile. Also, avoid secured cards that have a lot of fees, keep your outstanding balance under 20% of your credit limit, and always pay the bill on time.

4. Diversify Your Debt

Although the types of debt you have accounts for only 10% of your FICO score, it can have a significant impact if there isn’t a lot of other information present in your profile.

In lieu of revolving debt products, such as credit cards, you may want to apply for some sort of installment loan — a car loan, perhaps, or a personal loan — because it can demonstrate your ability to handle credit responsibly over time. Potential creditors will also be interested in your experience with different types of debt.

5. Check With Your Financial Institution

You may have read the last point and thought, “How in the heck am I supposed to go about obtaining an installment loan when I don’t have any credit?”

The first step is to contact your bank or credit union, explain your situation, and see what options you have. Many offer both secured and unsecured personal loans to existing customers in good standing.

6. Apply for a Store Credit Card

This option definitely requires self-discipline.

Store cards aren’t as difficult to qualify for as standard credit cards, but they may be accompanied by higher interest rates and excessive fees. Also, store cards may be exclusive to the retailer and can’t be used elsewhere.

If you take this route and quickly max out the card, you will do more harm than good to your credit profile. So before you sign on the dotted line to apply for a department store credit card, take all those factors into consideration and don’t get sucked in by the enticing introductory offer.

7. Ask Companies to Report on Your Behalf

I’m almost certain you’ve constantly been reminded about the importance of making timely payments because this factor accounts for 35% of your FICO credit score. Assuming you have recurring expenses each month, such as rent, utilities and a cellphone bill, request that the service provider report your account activity to the three major credit bureaus. But do so only if the accounts are current and you have a stellar payment history.

Before you actually move forward and seek credit, you have to ask yourself if it’s something you really need. It doesn’t make sense to purchase an item on credit that will end up costing you an astronomical amount of cash in the long term because of interest and fees. The smart credit card user pays off the entire balance each month.

And by no means am I an advocate of obtaining new credit accounts and making purchases just for the sake of establishing credit — unless you were going to buy those items anyway.

This post originally appeared on Money Talks News.

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This article was previously published, and has since been updated by another author.

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