5 min read
Lenders, landlords, and even some employers check your credit history. You build it by borrowing small amounts and repaying on time.
Companies report your payments to credit bureaus, which calculate a score (roughly 300–850). A higher score means easier approvals and lower interest.
A secured credit card (backed by a deposit) or a credit-builder loan is the usual first step. Use it for a small monthly charge and pay it off in full each month.
Quick tips
You can get free credit reports from the major bureaus. Review them for errors, which can drag your score down.
Credit builds over months, not days. Consistent on-time payments are what move the score.
General guidance, not official advice
These guides explain how things generally work. Rules and amounts vary by state and change over time — always confirm the details with the official sources linked in each guide.