When you have bad credit, you can get stuck in a vicious cycle. You need a credit card to help rebuild a good credit history, but your history prevents you from getting one. Fortunately, there are some good credit card options for people with bad credit. Some will help you build up your credit rating, while others are mainly for convenience or budgeting. Even if your credit rating is low, you should be able to find one that fits your situation.
Bank Cards
Many banks will be reluctant to give you a credit card when you have bad credit. If you have had a savings or checking account with one bank or credit union for a long time, and if you've maintained a reasonably good financial history with that financial institution, it may be willing to give you a credit card. Many issuers who give credit cards to people with bad credit charge high interest rates, annual fees and even monthly service charges. Your own bank or credit union is more likely to give you a card with favorable terms, even if your credit is bad.
Secured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards are good for people with bad credit because virtually anyone can get one. The main requirement is having a deposit with which to secure the card. Many banks will accept a deposit of as little as $100 to $300. Once you make it, you will receive a credit card with a limit that is equal to the deposit. This will help you stay on a budget by limited your spending power. It will also help rebuild your credit if you make the payments on time every month. Jessica Seubert of Bankrate.com says many secured card issuers will let you open an unsecured account if you maintain a good payment record for a year.
Pre-Paid Credit Cards
Pre-paid credit cards are good for people with bad credit because they force you to stick to a budget. Even though the pre-paid card will have a Visa or MasterCard logo, it doesn't actually give you a credit line. You load it up with money, and this allows you to use it at any website or merchant where credit cards are accepted. Once you spend all the money, you cannot use the card until you load it up again. This prevents overspending because you can only spend money you already have rather than digging yourself into debt with a traditional credit card company. The Credit Card Guide warns that some pre-paid cards have high fees, so you should shop around for the best deal.
See also www.creditcardguide.com/best-credit-cards-bad-credit
Bank Cards
Many banks will be reluctant to give you a credit card when you have bad credit. If you have had a savings or checking account with one bank or credit union for a long time, and if you've maintained a reasonably good financial history with that financial institution, it may be willing to give you a credit card. Many issuers who give credit cards to people with bad credit charge high interest rates, annual fees and even monthly service charges. Your own bank or credit union is more likely to give you a card with favorable terms, even if your credit is bad.
Secured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards are good for people with bad credit because virtually anyone can get one. The main requirement is having a deposit with which to secure the card. Many banks will accept a deposit of as little as $100 to $300. Once you make it, you will receive a credit card with a limit that is equal to the deposit. This will help you stay on a budget by limited your spending power. It will also help rebuild your credit if you make the payments on time every month. Jessica Seubert of Bankrate.com says many secured card issuers will let you open an unsecured account if you maintain a good payment record for a year.
Pre-Paid Credit Cards
Pre-paid credit cards are good for people with bad credit because they force you to stick to a budget. Even though the pre-paid card will have a Visa or MasterCard logo, it doesn't actually give you a credit line. You load it up with money, and this allows you to use it at any website or merchant where credit cards are accepted. Once you spend all the money, you cannot use the card until you load it up again. This prevents overspending because you can only spend money you already have rather than digging yourself into debt with a traditional credit card company. The Credit Card Guide warns that some pre-paid cards have high fees, so you should shop around for the best deal.
See also www.creditcardguide.com/best-credit-cards-bad-credit
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