Building credit from scratch

• Secured card — you put down a deposit that becomes your limit. Use it for one small recurring bill and autopay it in full.
• Credit-builder loan — small loan held in a savings account you unlock at the end; payments get reported.
• Authorized user — being added to a responsible family member's old card can import some of that history.

The routine that builds a score

1. Charge a small, predictable amount each month.
2. Set autopay for the full statement balance.
3. Keep the account open once it's established — age helps you.

Expect a usable score in about six months and a strong one in two to three years of clean history.