If you are low on credit or do not have credit at all, you might then feel discouraged when applying for a particular credit card. But there are still workable ways to build your credit even when your credit file is considerable, using a secure credit card is one of them. If you are still researching How to Build a Credit Score with a Credit Card then read through this article gradually to be enlightened.
How to Build a Credit Score with a Credit Card
The process of building credit with a secure credit card is not that difficult if you to the right steps to take and also the guidelines to follow. However, there are some ways that you can be able to build your credit and they are not hard to understand so, it is left for you to go through them below.
- Always make payments on time.
- If it is possible make full payments.
- Make sure that your limit is not maxed out.
- Make sure that you always check your credit score and report regularly.
- Make purchases on time.
- Become a user that is authorized.
- Apply for a secured credit card or a starter card.
- Then make sure that set up monthly bill payments from a bank account.
These are the ways how you can be able to build your credit score with a credit card.
Best Secured Credit Cards to Build Credit
Below are some of the best credit cards to build credit that you should consider.
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards card.
- Discover it Secured credit card.
- Self-Credit Builder Account with secured visa credit.
- OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card.
- Citi Secured Credit Mastercard.
- First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard.
- First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured Credit Card.
Listed above are some best secure credit cards to build credit.
Checkout: Citi Card Bill Payment Online
How to Build Credit with a Secured Credit Card
There are possible ways on how you can be able to build credit with a secured credit card and they will be listed and explained further in the later part of the content so just continue reading further.
Fund Deposit:
Countless secured cards require the deposit to be paid just after approval, so you do not apply till you have the money saved up. To stumble on the safer side, you have to choose a card with a security deposit and credit line within the range of what you can easily afford.
Be sure your account activity is being reported:
Having a secured credit card can be a very useful way to build credit, it can only impact your credit history and credit scores if the information is included in your credit report.
If you need to be sure the lender or card issuer will either report your account activity to your credit offices, most issuer does so, so it is a nice idea to check.
Have the Right Secured Card:
If shopping for a secured card, you will want to look at the credit card limits and security deposit requirements. On top of your deposit, some secured cards will then ask for a fee when opening an account, “Shopping around for the best rates and terms can help save money in the long run”.
You can also want to see if a certain card offers the option to upgrade to a traditional credit card or whether it will increase your credit card limits at some points. To qualify you regularly need to demonstrate responsible financial habits and then have your card open and available for a set amount of time.
Pay Off your Balance in full each Month:
The easiest and best way to use a secured card is to be so responsible. If you want to avoid paying interest, you have to pay off your balance in full every month. Doing so will also keep your credit utilization rate, otherwise, the amount of available credit you are using will be low.
It is important to show activities on your card, consider using your card for small purchases, and then pay them off in that month. You can even use your credit card to pay for recurring bills, such as the streaming subscription service.
Do not max out your card:
Always remember that the point of getting a secured card is to build you’re your credit card and practices that are responsible in financial habits. Maxing your card will cause two things such as bump up your credit utilization rate and then make it harder for you to keep up with your card payments.
Make sure you keep an eye on your credit score:
Immediately after you have opened and you are already in use of a secured card, you are expected to always keep an eye on your credit score by keeping tabs on it. Moreso, you can also do that by signing up for a free credit monitoring service. Well, there are some things that you should consider or expect to see rather and they include;
- If all your payments are being correctly reported.
- The amount of credit you are making use of which can also be referred to as credit utilization.
- Check if your payment history is accurate.
With these steps, you can be able to build credit with a secured credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section of the article will provide some of the frequently asked questions about How to Build a Credit Score with a credit card.
Can you Build a Credit Score with a Credit Card?
Credit cards are the best offer to build your credit and also improve your credit scores by showing how to manage credit regularly.
What Happens if I Pay off my Credit Card Early?
If you pay off your credit card early, you can be able to raise your credit score and then improve it into a better one that will certainly be of great benefit to the cardholder.