5 Sources of Credit Card Stress — and How to Get Past Them

We live in a hectic world, and the last thing most of us need is one more thing stressing us out. But the truth is that a lot of everyday items and situations could be sources of anxiety — including your trusty credit card.

Luckily, there are easy ways to deal with tension caused by your plastic. Take a look at five common sources of credit card stress below, and our tips for getting past them.

1. You charged more than you can afford to pay off in one month

Overspending with credit cards happens to everyone from time to time. If you got slammed with a bill you don’t have the funds to pay off in full, you have a few options for avoiding interest charges:

• Use savings to pay it off.


• Rework your budget to accommodate the bill.


• Transfer the balance to a 0% card.

But only do the transfer if it’s a really big balance that would take longer than six months to pay off — otherwise, the balance transfer fee you’d pay probably isn’t worth it.

In the future, be sure to track your spending carefully to avoid a larger-than-expected bill.

2. You missed your payment due date

Forgetting to pay a bill on time can be embarrassing, but the first thing you should do if this happens is call up your issuer. Apologize for missing the due date and make arrangements for the payment — if this is your first offense and you’re only a few days late, they might even be willing to waive the late fee.

If you’re more than 30 days past due, there’s the possibility your late payment has already been reported to the three major credit bureaus. If so, don’t panic — pay what you owe (including interest and fees), and make it a priority to pay on time in the future. The mark will stay on your credit report for up to seven years, but as long as you keep making responsible moves, its effect on your credit score will lessen over time.

In the future, set calendar reminders for your due dates, or sign up to get text or e-mail alerts from your issuer when a payment is due.

3. You got hit with an unexpected fee

The CARD Act of 2009 went far in helping reduce unfair or unexpected credit card fees. But they do still happen. If a fee you weren’t expecting shows up on your credit card statement, it’s best to get in touch with your issuer for an explanation. There’s always the possibility you were charged the fee in error, which is why looking over your credit card statement carefully every month is key.

Assuming the fee is no mistake, you should explain to your issuer that you didn’t anticipate the charge; they might be willing to reverse it this one time. Either way, be sure to ask for a clear explanation of how it can be avoided in the future, and call this one a lesson learned.

4. Your card was involved in a data breach

If you recently shopped at a store that was involved in a breach, take a deep breath and relax — it’s possible that your data didn’t make it into the hands of criminals at all.

The best thing you can do is monitor your credit card account and await further instructions from your issuer. They may decide not to take any action, but if they feel your account is at risk, they’ll notify you about canceling your card. In this case, simply follow their directions and wait for your new card to arrive.

On the other hand, if you spot a sketchy transaction on your account, be sure to get in touch with your issuer immediately. They’ll likely cancel your card, and, according to the terms of the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), you won’t be responsible for the fraudulent charge since it happened while the card was in your possession. Phew!

5. You got hit with an unauthorized charge

Speaking of unauthorized charges, this is another stressor your credit card could cause. If a charge you didn’t make shows up on your online account or statement, again, it’s important to notify your issuer right away. They may take some time to investigate, but keep in mind that the FCBA limits your liability for unauthorized charges to $50.

What’s more, that liability drops to $0 if the fraud happens while the card is in your possession, or you report the theft of your card before any charges are made. Plus, most credit card issuers have $0 fraud liability policies, so the chances that you’ll have to pay anything are slim.

It might be a little bit of a hassle to untangle, but just keep reminding yourself that an unauthorized charge isn’t your fault and you likely won’t be out any money in the end. That should bring some needed peace of mind!

Stressed woman image via Shutterstock

The post 5 Sources of Credit Card Stress — and How to Get Past Them appeared first on NerdWallet Credit Card Blog.

Source Article http://ift.tt/1y39EC7

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5 Sources of Credit Card Stress — and How to Get Past Them

We live in a hectic world, and the last thing most of us need is one more thing stressing us out. But the truth is that a lot of everyday items and situations could be sources of anxiety — including your trusty credit card.

Luckily, there are easy ways to deal with tension caused by your plastic. Take a look at five common sources of credit card stress below, and our tips for getting past them.

1. You charged more than you can afford to pay off in one month

Overspending with credit cards happens to everyone from time to time. If you got slammed with a bill you don’t have the funds to pay off in full, you have a few options for avoiding interest charges:

• Use savings to pay it off.


• Rework your budget to accommodate the bill.


• Transfer the balance to a 0% card.

But only do the transfer if it’s a really big balance that would take longer than six months to pay off — otherwise, the balance transfer fee you’d pay probably isn’t worth it.

In the future, be sure to track your spending carefully to avoid a larger-than-expected bill.

2. You missed your payment due date

Forgetting to pay a bill on time can be embarrassing, but the first thing you should do if this happens is call up your issuer. Apologize for missing the due date and make arrangements for the payment — if this is your first offense and you’re only a few days late, they might even be willing to waive the late fee.

If you’re more than 30 days past due, there’s the possibility your late payment has already been reported to the three major credit bureaus. If so, don’t panic — pay what you owe (including interest and fees), and make it a priority to pay on time in the future. The mark will stay on your credit report for up to seven years, but as long as you keep making responsible moves, its effect on your credit score will lessen over time.

In the future, set calendar reminders for your due dates, or sign up to get text or e-mail alerts from your issuer when a payment is due.

3. You got hit with an unexpected fee

The CARD Act of 2009 went far in helping reduce unfair or unexpected credit card fees. But they do still happen. If a fee you weren’t expecting shows up on your credit card statement, it’s best to get in touch with your issuer for an explanation. There’s always the possibility you were charged the fee in error, which is why looking over your credit card statement carefully every month is key.

Assuming the fee is no mistake, you should explain to your issuer that you didn’t anticipate the charge; they might be willing to reverse it this one time. Either way, be sure to ask for a clear explanation of how it can be avoided in the future, and call this one a lesson learned.

4. Your card was involved in a data breach

If you recently shopped at a store that was involved in a breach, take a deep breath and relax — it’s possible that your data didn’t make it into the hands of criminals at all.

The best thing you can do is monitor your credit card account and await further instructions from your issuer. They may decide not to take any action, but if they feel your account is at risk, they’ll notify you about canceling your card. In this case, simply follow their directions and wait for your new card to arrive.

On the other hand, if you spot a sketchy transaction on your account, be sure to get in touch with your issuer immediately. They’ll likely cancel your card, and, according to the terms of the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), you won’t be responsible for the fraudulent charge since it happened while the card was in your possession. Phew!

5. You got hit with an unauthorized charge

Speaking of unauthorized charges, this is another stressor your credit card could cause. If a charge you didn’t make shows up on your online account or statement, again, it’s important to notify your issuer right away. They may take some time to investigate, but keep in mind that the FCBA limits your liability for unauthorized charges to $50.

What’s more, that liability drops to $0 if the fraud happens while the card is in your possession, or you report the theft of your card before any charges are made. Plus, most credit card issuers have $0 fraud liability policies, so the chances that you’ll have to pay anything are slim.

It might be a little bit of a hassle to untangle, but just keep reminding yourself that an unauthorized charge isn’t your fault and you likely won’t be out any money in the end. That should bring some needed peace of mind!

Stressed woman image via Shutterstock

The post 5 Sources of Credit Card Stress — and How to Get Past Them appeared first on NerdWallet Credit Card Blog.

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NerdWallet’s Sexiest Credit Cards Alive 2014

Contrary to what you might think, Nerds know sexy when we see it. In fact, we’ve done some analysis and put together a list of the sexiest credit cards of 2014.

Like any good beauty contest, our choices are based on a combination of looks and personality – be sure to read about each card’s features below:

Sexiest card for dealing with debt: Chase Slate®

Apply Now

on Chase's

secure website

Making an effort to get rid of credit card debt is a smart and sexy move. If this is one of your goals, the Chase Slate® is here to help. With it, you’ll get 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 12.99%, 17.99%, or 22.99% (V).This means that, if you move your balance onto the card, you’ll have over a year at 0% to pay it down. Talk about an attractive offer!

But what’s more, the Chase Slate® also waives its balance transfer fee for balances transferred within 60 days of opening your account. In addition to its sleek, vertical design, this feature really sets it apart from the crowd. And since it has an annual fee of $0, you can be sure you’re getting a hot deal.

Sexiest card for travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Apply Now

on Chase's

secure website

When it comes to design, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is definitely a conversation piece. It’s made of metal, not plastic. This gives it an edgy, sexy feel that many consumers crave.

But again, it’s not all about looks – the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card brings a lot of other great features to the table. You’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on dining out and travel and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Generally, points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are worth $.01 apiece. But if you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, the value of each goes up by 25%.

Also remember that you have the option to transfer your points to participating frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 ratio. This perk could really spice up your options when it comes time to book your trip.

If you’re planning an overseas getaway, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great choice to take along. It comes chip-enabled and charges no foreign transaction fees.

To get started, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides a signup bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. It charges an Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95. They say that sexy can’t be bought, we think the annual fee is a reasonable price to pay for a card this exciting.

Sexiest card for earning cash back: Citi® Double Cash Card

Apply Now

on Citibank's

secure website

OK, we admit: This card leaves a little to be desired in the looks department. But when you hear about the rewards structure provided by the Citi® Double Cash Card , we think your heart will skip a beat.

With it, you’ll earn 1% cash back on your purchases, then an additional 1% cash back when you pay them off. That’s a sky-high rewards rate, and there’s no limit to the cash back you can earn. Plus, it charges an annual fee of $0*, so it’s an inexpensive card to keep on hand. (We were tempted to call it cheap, but it’s just too classy for that kind of language.)

Sexiest co-branded card: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®

Apply Now

on Citibank's

secure website

Deciding on a sexiest co-branded card was tough, but ultimately we’re pretty enamored with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®. Appearance-wise, the card is cheerful – the little airplane on the front is just too cute. We also think the gray background on the card art was a good choice because it’s cool and low-key.

In terms of card features, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®’s are enticing. They include:

• A signup bonus: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and 2 Admirals Club® Passes after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening*.


• A free checked bag for you and up to 4 travel companions on every American Airlines flight.


• 2 AAdvantage miles for every eligible dollar spent with American Airlines and 1 AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent on other purchases.


• Group 1 boarding on American Airlines flights.


• Get a $100 American Airlines flight discount every year that you spend at least $30,000 on the card.


• Get 10% of your redeemed miles back, up to 10,000 miles per year.


• $95, waived for first 12 months*.

This card is an exciting choice for folks who fly American Airlines frequently – and what’s sexier than racking up enough miles for a little weekend getaway?

Sexiest card for big spenders: Citi Prestige® Card

Apply Now

on Citibank's

secure website

Without question, the Citi Prestige® Card is one of the hottest cards on the market today. Physically, it’s very impressive – a little black dress has nothing on this baby. Plus, we love the bold, teal emblem on the front. It’s just enough to make the card stand out, without being too flashy. Coco Chanel herself couldn’t have done better.

But the card’s features are equally stunning. With it, you’ll earn 3 ThankYou points for every dollar spent on airfare and hotels, 2 ThankYou points for every dollar spent on dining and travel, and 1 ThankYou point for every dollar spent elsewhere. You can use your ThankYou points for everything from merchandise to travel, and remember that this is one of the few Citi cards that allows you to transfer your points to participating frequent traveler programs.

The rewards earning and redemption structure provides a lot of opportunities for cashing in big on spending you’re already doing, but this card’s cachet mostly comes from its fringe benefits. These include:

• Access to a private jet, airport lounges, chauffeured car service, and more.


• 24/7 concierge service to help take care of your shopping, travel, entertainment, and dining needs.


• Access to exclusive events through Citi Private Pass Beyond.

The Citi Prestige® Card also carries a signup bonus: 30,000 ThankYou points when you spend $2,000 within the first 3 months of opening your account. In this case, sexy doesn’t come free – the card’s annual fee is $450. But if it’s a luxe lifestyle you’re craving, you might want to consider coughing up the cash. Remember, it’s partially offset by the card’s annual $250 air travel credit.

So there you have it, folks – the sexiest credit cards of 2014. Now go take a cold shower and consider applying for one of them today!

Blowing a kiss image via Shutterstock

The post NerdWallet’s Sexiest Credit Cards Alive 2014 appeared first on NerdWallet Credit Card Blog.

Source Article http://ift.tt/1y39EC7

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NerdWallet’s Sexiest Credit Cards Alive 2014

Contrary to what you might think, Nerds know sexy when we see it. In fact, we’ve done some analysis and put together a list of the sexiest credit cards of 2014.

Like any good beauty contest, our choices are based on a combination of looks and personality – be sure to read about each card’s features below:

Sexiest card for dealing with debt: Chase Slate®

Apply Now

on Chase's

secure website

Making an effort to get rid of credit card debt is a smart and sexy move. If this is one of your goals, the Chase Slate® is here to help. With it, you’ll get 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 12.99%, 17.99%, or 22.99% (V).This means that, if you move your balance onto the card, you’ll have over a year at 0% to pay it down. Talk about an attractive offer!

But what’s more, the Chase Slate® also waives its balance transfer fee for balances transferred within 60 days of opening your account. In addition to its sleek, vertical design, this feature really sets it apart from the crowd. And since it has an annual fee of $0, you can be sure you’re getting a hot deal.

Sexiest card for travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Apply Now

on Chase's

secure website

When it comes to design, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is definitely a conversation piece. It’s made of metal, not plastic. This gives it an edgy, sexy feel that many consumers crave.

But again, it’s not all about looks – the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card brings a lot of other great features to the table. You’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on dining out and travel and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Generally, points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are worth $.01 apiece. But if you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, the value of each goes up by 25%.

Also remember that you have the option to transfer your points to participating frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 ratio. This perk could really spice up your options when it comes time to book your trip.

If you’re planning an overseas getaway, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great choice to take along. It comes chip-enabled and charges no foreign transaction fees.

To get started, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides a signup bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. It charges an Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95. They say that sexy can’t be bought, we think the annual fee is a reasonable price to pay for a card this exciting.

Sexiest card for earning cash back: Citi® Double Cash Card

Apply Now

on Citibank's

secure website

OK, we admit: This card leaves a little to be desired in the looks department. But when you hear about the rewards structure provided by the Citi® Double Cash Card , we think your heart will skip a beat.

With it, you’ll earn 1% cash back on your purchases, then an additional 1% cash back when you pay them off. That’s a sky-high rewards rate, and there’s no limit to the cash back you can earn. Plus, it charges an annual fee of $0*, so it’s an inexpensive card to keep on hand. (We were tempted to call it cheap, but it’s just too classy for that kind of language.)

Sexiest co-branded card: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®

Apply Now

on Citibank's

secure website

Deciding on a sexiest co-branded card was tough, but ultimately we’re pretty enamored with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®. Appearance-wise, the card is cheerful – the little airplane on the front is just too cute. We also think the gray background on the card art was a good choice because it’s cool and low-key.

In terms of card features, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®’s are enticing. They include:

• A signup bonus: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and 2 Admirals Club® Passes after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening*.


• A free checked bag for you and up to 4 travel companions on every American Airlines flight.


• 2 AAdvantage miles for every eligible dollar spent with American Airlines and 1 AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent on other purchases.


• Group 1 boarding on American Airlines flights.


• Get a $100 American Airlines flight discount every year that you spend at least $30,000 on the card.


• Get 10% of your redeemed miles back, up to 10,000 miles per year.


• $95, waived for first 12 months*.

This card is an exciting choice for folks who fly American Airlines frequently – and what’s sexier than racking up enough miles for a little weekend getaway?

Sexiest card for big spenders: Citi Prestige® Card

Apply Now

on Citibank's

secure website

Without question, the Citi Prestige® Card is one of the hottest cards on the market today. Physically, it’s very impressive – a little black dress has nothing on this baby. Plus, we love the bold, teal emblem on the front. It’s just enough to make the card stand out, without being too flashy. Coco Chanel herself couldn’t have done better.

But the card’s features are equally stunning. With it, you’ll earn 3 ThankYou points for every dollar spent on airfare and hotels, 2 ThankYou points for every dollar spent on dining and travel, and 1 ThankYou point for every dollar spent elsewhere. You can use your ThankYou points for everything from merchandise to travel, and remember that this is one of the few Citi cards that allows you to transfer your points to participating frequent traveler programs.

The rewards earning and redemption structure provides a lot of opportunities for cashing in big on spending you’re already doing, but this card’s cachet mostly comes from its fringe benefits. These include:

• Access to a private jet, airport lounges, chauffeured car service, and more.


• 24/7 concierge service to help take care of your shopping, travel, entertainment, and dining needs.


• Access to exclusive events through Citi Private Pass Beyond.

The Citi Prestige® Card also carries a signup bonus: 30,000 ThankYou points when you spend $2,000 within the first 3 months of opening your account. In this case, sexy doesn’t come free – the card’s annual fee is $450. But if it’s a luxe lifestyle you’re craving, you might want to consider coughing up the cash. Remember, it’s partially offset by the card’s annual $250 air travel credit.

So there you have it, folks – the sexiest credit cards of 2014. Now go take a cold shower and consider applying for one of them today!

Blowing a kiss image via Shutterstock

The post NerdWallet’s Sexiest Credit Cards Alive 2014 appeared first on NerdWallet Credit Card Blog.

Source Article :http://bit.ly/1wAftXE

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Do All Balance Transfer Credit Cards Have a 0% APR?

No interest credit cards are a godsend if you’re trying to get out from under credit card debt. They allow you to pay down your balances more aggressively because you have a temporary reprieve from paying interest.

But not all balance transfer credit cards have zero interest. If you think you won’t be able to pay off the balance during the limited-time 0% APR period, it might be better to choose a card with a low ongoing interest rate. Even though you won’t have that no interest interval, you might save more money in the long run.

Keep in mind that there are many good reasons not to open a new card at all. Applying for a credit card results in a hit to your credit score of about five points, and if you’ve already nearly maxed out your existing cards or have a very low score, you may not be able to get approved for a card with good terms. In such cases, moving balances to your existing card with the lowest interest rate might be your best move.

But let’s assume you’re opening a new zero interest credit card and transferring balances from your existing cards. Here’s what to look for:

Transfer fees

It’s usually not free to transfer balances. Although there are a few cards out there without transfer fees, most no interest credit cards charge a percentage of the balance every time you move money onto the card. Look for a card with a low fee of 1 or 2%.

Short-term relief from interest

Zero interest sounds great, but how long will it last? Many 0 APR credit card offers sound great, but the interest holiday expires after only a few months. Look for an offer with an interest free period on the longer side, usually 15 to 18 months.

Super high rates once the low rate expires

The last thing you want is to end up with sky-high rates and be unable to apply for a new balance transfer card when the time comes. Look for a card that has rates below 20% after the no interest period expires. Be aware that most cards have variable rates and the actual rate may be higher when the time comes.

Low annual fees

Credit card companies are businesses too, and if they aren’t charging you interest, they’re looking for other ways to make money. Balance transfer cards with no annual fees do exist, but you may end up paying something. Anything above $100 a year is probably too exorbitant, and you should look elsewhere.

The bottom line is that balance transfer credit cards are a tool to help you get out of debt. They shouldn’t be used to prolong overspending habits. Eventually interest rates are going to kick in, and you’re going to want your balances to be as low as possible when that happens.

---

Juggling credit card bills photo via Shutterstock.

The post Do All Balance Transfer Credit Cards Have a 0% APR? appeared first on NerdWallet Credit Card Blog.

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Do All Balance Transfer Credit Cards Have a 0% APR?

No interest credit cards are a godsend if you’re trying to get out from under credit card debt. They allow you to pay down your balances more aggressively because you have a temporary reprieve from paying interest.

But not all balance transfer credit cards have zero interest. If you think you won’t be able to pay off the balance during the limited-time 0% APR period, it might be better to choose a card with a low ongoing interest rate. Even though you won’t have that no interest interval, you might save more money in the long run.

Keep in mind that there are many good reasons not to open a new card at all. Applying for a credit card results in a hit to your credit score of about five points, and if you’ve already nearly maxed out your existing cards or have a very low score, you may not be able to get approved for a card with good terms. In such cases, moving balances to your existing card with the lowest interest rate might be your best move.

But let’s assume you’re opening a new zero interest credit card and transferring balances from your existing cards. Here’s what to look for:

Transfer fees

It’s usually not free to transfer balances. Although there are a few cards out there without transfer fees, most no interest credit cards charge a percentage of the balance every time you move money onto the card. Look for a card with a low fee of 1 or 2%.

Short-term relief from interest

Zero interest sounds great, but how long will it last? Many 0 APR credit card offers sound great, but the interest holiday expires after only a few months. Look for an offer with an interest free period on the longer side, usually 15 to 18 months.

Super high rates once the low rate expires

The last thing you want is to end up with sky-high rates and be unable to apply for a new balance transfer card when the time comes. Look for a card that has rates below 20% after the no interest period expires. Be aware that most cards have variable rates and the actual rate may be higher when the time comes.

Low annual fees

Credit card companies are businesses too, and if they aren’t charging you interest, they’re looking for other ways to make money. Balance transfer cards with no annual fees do exist, but you may end up paying something. Anything above $100 a year is probably too exorbitant, and you should look elsewhere.

The bottom line is that balance transfer credit cards are a tool to help you get out of debt. They shouldn’t be used to prolong overspending habits. Eventually interest rates are going to kick in, and you’re going to want your balances to be as low as possible when that happens.

---

Juggling credit card bills photo via Shutterstock.

The post Do All Balance Transfer Credit Cards Have a 0% APR? appeared first on NerdWallet Credit Card Blog.

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4 Ways for People with No Credit to Start Building a Credit History

An estimated 80 million Americans have little or no credit history, according to Experian, one of three major credit reporting bureaus in the country. For those consumers, receiving a car loan or a mortgage – and even applying for an apartment – can be extremely difficult. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to start building your credit history from scratch. Here’s a look at some of your options.

1. Become an authorized user

Your parents raised you, fed you, and put clothes on your back. Now that you’re older, they can also help you establish your credit history by adding you as an authorized user on one of their credit cards. As an authorized user, you’ll have access to your parent’s full line of credit and perhaps more importantly, your credit score will improve every time a payment is made in full and on time.

2. Get a secured credit card

Secured credit cards serve as an excellent introduction to the world of borrowing. Here’s how it works: You make a deposit to a bank or credit union, which uses this money as collateral in case you miss a payment. The amount of your deposit also serves as your credit limit. Because the financial institution isn’t risking very much in these types of transactions, they are more willing to work with customers without credit histories. Upon closing your account, your deposit will be returned to you.

3. Apply for an unsecured card, but not too often

Obtaining an unsecured credit card doesn’t require you to make a deposit. These types of credit cards also tend to have higher spending limits, which is helpful when you need to make larger purchases. That said, it’s important to be strategic about applying for an unsecured card, as doing so will automatically trigger an inquiry on your credit report, which usually subtracts several points from your credit score.

4. Use your new credit card carefully

Once you’ve obtained a new card, be sure to use it responsibly. After years of using cash or a debit card – which isn’t a loan and thus doesn’t help your credit score – getting into the rhythm of doing so may take some time. Also, be aware that exceeding 30% of your total credit limit could lower your credit score, so try to keep your expenses under that threshold.

From helping you land your dream apartment to locking in the best possible rate on a car loan, a healthy credit score can go a long way. But before you get there, you’ll need to establish a credit history to prove that you’re a reliable borrower. Using these tips can set you in the right direction.

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Credit card photo via Shutterstock.

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