Building Your Credit Brick by Brick
Secured credit cards can be your secret weapon! Think of them as training wheels for your credit journey. They work just like regular credit cards, but you provide a security deposit that sets your credit limit. Use it responsibly, make your payments on time, and watch your credit score climb! It’s a fantastic option to build credit history or get back on track. Secured cards might have lower limits and higher interest rates, but the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term costs.
CHECKOUT OUR LIST OF THE DIFFERENT SECURED CREDIT CARDS FOR BEGINEERS:
1. DISCOVER IT SECURED CREDIT CARD
This card has NO ANNUAL FEE. And you will get you 2% cash back on restaurants and gas stations up to the first $1000, AND you’ll get unlimited 1% cash back on everything else. They’re also running a promotion where they will MATCH your cash back in the first year. Not only that, but Discover also allows you to monitor your FICO score for free on their platform, so you can keep track of how your score is improving over time.
This one also has NO ANNUAL FEE, and they base your credit limit on your banking history – meaning, you have the potential of getting approved without any prior credit history, at all. Since they utilize your banking information, they also double as a personal finance app that calculates your payments, interest if you don’t pay off your balance, your monthly spending, and other personal finance tips to help you save money.
3. CAPITAL ONE SECURED CREDIT CARD
This one has NO ANNUAL FEES, Automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months. A refundable deposit and upgrade to a standard, unsecured Platinum card
Credit score above 640. If you get the Amazon Prime Rewards Card – which requires you to have a valid Amazon Prime membership to get the full benefit, you’ll get a $100-$150 amazon gift card for signing up, and then you’ll get unlimited 5% cash back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, and 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores…and then 1% cash back on everything else.
5. THE CHASE FREEDOM FLEX CARD
First, they’ll be giving you a $200 bonus when you spend only $500 on purchases within the first 3 months. They’ll also offer you 5% cash back on up to $1500 worth of bonus categories, 5% back on travel through the ultimate rewards portal, 3% back at restaurants and dining….3% on drugstores…and 1% back on everything else.
The Citi® Secured Mastercard helps you build a credit history for your financial future with no annual fee.* If you are looking to establish your credit, the Citi® Secured Mastercard® can help you get there. Simply make everyday purchases and pay your bill on time. Take the first step toward achieving your financial goals and apply for Citi’s secured credit card today.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
First, just put a few minor expenses on the card every week…and then, pay it off, in full, by the time it’s due…that’s it. Third, after 6 months of doing that – add ANOTHER credit card to the list, like the Amazon Prime Card, Chase Freedom Flex, or Citi Doublecash.
Then…do the same thing as the first step: put a few minor charges on the card, and pay it off in full by the time it’s due. Fourth, after another 6 months of doing that – open the American Express Blue Cash Charge Card, and then – repeat the same process. You see how easy this is?
ALWAYS PAY THEM OFF IN FULL.
Fifth, after another 6 months of paying on time – request a credit limit increase on all of your credit cards….even if you don’t need a higher limit. Sixth, keep doing this consistently – and within 18-24 months, assuming you carry a zero balance and always pay on time…you should have a score above 740-780, which gets you the lowest interest rates any time you want to leverage your money, get a mortgage, rent an apartment, buy a car…or, do anything, really. ENJOY!
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