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3 Ways To Build Your Credit History
Youth & MoneyFebruary 14, 2018
If you keep up with financial news at all, you know your credit score is one of the most important and widely circulated bits of information about you. It determines the outcome of many of your adult life decisions. The kind of car and house you can afford, the rates you’ll pay for insurance and credit cards, and even the kinds of jobs you can get all hinge on your credit score.
1) Get (and keep) a clean payment record
Pay your bills on time. It’s good advice anyway, but if you’re trying to build a credit history, making on-time monthly payments is a critical first step. This includes both credit cards and other monthly bills (electricity, Netflix, gym memberships). Don’t have a credit card? Apply today or consider “piggybacking.” Your parents can make you an authorized user of their credit card, which will show as an account in your name and one that is being paid on time.
2) Manage your debt use
On one hand, you want to build up a payment history. On the other, you don’t want to max out the amount that’s available to you (your available lines). Don’t charge more than 30% of your available credit. Use your credit card for small, regular purchases – a daily coffee or monthly tank of gas – and pay it off in full each month.
3) Guard your credit history
A lot of inquiries (or hits) on your credit history is a sign to lenders that you’re using credit to finance your lifestyle. This makes them hesitant about lending to you and they lower your credit score as a result. This may mean fighting conventional wisdom and turning down free pizza if it requires a credit card application. Similarly, don’t co-sign loans for friends, and don’t apply for store credit cards.