Easiest Personal Loans to Get

Building credit can be tricky. If you don’t have a credit history, it’s hard to get a loan, a credit card or even an apartment.

But how are you supposed to show a history of responsible repayment if no one will give you credit in the first place?

To have a FICO score, for example, you need at least one account that’s been open six months or longer, and you need at least one creditor reporting your activity to the credit bureaus in the last six months.

Several tools can help you establish a credit history: secured credit cards, a credit-builder loan, a co-signed credit card or loan, or authorized user status on another person’s credit card.

1. Apply for a secured credit card

If you’re building your credit score from scratch, you’ll likely need to start with a secured credit card. A secured card is backed by a cash deposit you make upfront; the deposit amount is usually the same as your credit limit.

You’ll use the card like any other credit card: Buy things, make a payment on or before the due date, incur interest if you don’t pay your balance in full. Your cash deposit is used as collateral if you fail to make payments.

You’ll receive your deposit back when you close the account.

Secured credit cards aren’t meant to be used forever. The purpose of a secured card is to build your credit enough to qualify for an unsecured card — a card without a deposit and with better benefits. Choose a secured card with a low annual fee and make sure it reports to all three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

2. Apply for a credit-builder loan

A credit-builder loan is exactly what it sounds like — its sole purpose is to help people build credit.

Typically, the money you borrow is held by the lender in an account and not released to you until the loan is repaid. It’s a forced savings program of sorts, and your payments are reported to credit bureaus. These loans are most often offered by credit unions or community banks.

3. Get a co-signer

It’s also possible to get a loan or an unsecured credit card using a co-signer. But be sure that you and the co-signer understand that the co-signer is on the hook for the full amount owed if you don’t pay. (See “What You Need to Know About Co-signing.”)

4. Become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card

A family member or significant other may be willing to add you as an authorized user on his or her card. As an authorized user, you’ll enjoy access to a credit card and you’ll build credit history, but you aren’t legally obligated to pay for your charges.

Ask the primary cardholder to find out whether the card issuer reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. That activity generally is reported, but you’ll want to make sure — otherwise your credit-building efforts may be wasted.

You should come to an agreement on how you’ll use the card before you’re added as an authorized user. If the primary cardholder expects you to pay your share, make sure you do so even though you aren’t legally obligated.

Build your score with good habits

Interesting facts

• In an attempt to go to Las Vegas for a weekend with the guys, Doug begins to build up credit by taking Carrie to a spa. Meanwhile, after hearing about Las Vegas, Arthur trains Spence on how to count cards, before visiting a small casino, being held for orphans.
• Build Now is a non-profit organization located in New Orleans, Louisiana, that works with clients whose homes were destroyed as a result of Hurricane Katrina to build new homes on their property. Build Now was founded by New Orleans native William Monaghan and is now directed by his daughter Tess Monaghan. Build Now is a licensed and insured...