Building Credit Checklist

Having trouble getting credit because you have no credit history? Use this checklist for building credit — and improve your credit score — by proving that you’re credit worthy.

If you have little or no credit history, this checklist can help for building credit and improving your credit score.

• Ask a family member to co-sign on a credit card in your name to help establish credit.
• Apply for a loan to show you can handle making monthly payments.
• If you can’t get a major credit card, apply for a low-limit department store card or a card marketed toward individuals with little credit history to show you can manage a revolving credit line.
• Always make on-time payments and keep balances under 30 percent of your available credit amount.
• Make credit card purchases that you can afford to repay in full each month so that you can avoid paying interest while building a good payment history.
• Try to obtain different types of credit, including credit cards, fixed-installment credit, and bank loans.

Learn about building credit and creditworthiness in our article, What You Need to Know about Building Credit.