Whether you're starting from scratch or repairing past mistakes, these strategies work:

✅ Start with a Secured Credit Card

• Great for beginners or those with bad credit
• You put down a deposit (e.g., $200), and that becomes your credit limit
• Use it like a regular card and pay it off each month

✅ Become an Authorized User

• Ask a parent, sibling, or trusted friend to add you to their card
• Their payment history and credit age can help build your score
• You don’t even have to use the card to benefit

✅ Use a Credit-Builder Loan

• Offered by credit unions or apps like Self
• You make small monthly payments, and they report to the credit bureaus
• Builds a positive payment history

✅ Always Pay On Time

• Even one late payment can drop your score by 50–100 points
• Set up autopay or calendar reminders for minimum payments

✅ Keep Utilization Low

• Try to use less than 30% of your credit limit
• Example: If your limit is $1,000, try to stay under $300

✅ Check Your Credit Report