Establishing Credit

[GermanCanadian89 7]

So, how has everyone established credit in the US?

I can't seem to apply for any credit card. Is it because they know I'm on a visa? and I can't work? Should that even matter if my husband pays the bills?

I just don't understand why I can't establish myself over here.

[sexymackeral 14]

I would suggest looking into a secured credit card if you aren't able to get approved for a regular card. This is how I started out and many younger folks who don't have any credit history. In time you will build enough credit history to qualify for regular credit cards.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/10-questions-before-getting-a-secured-credit-card-1.aspx

What is a secured credit card?

A secured card requires a cash collateral deposit that becomes the credit line for that account. For example, if you put $500 in the account, you can charge up to $500. You may be able to add to the deposit to add more credit, or sometimes a bank will reward you for good payment and add to your credit line without requesting additional deposits.

[mrs thb 331]

i didn't apply for any.....he just added me to all his accounts and gave me the cards.

i figure i'll establish a credit rating that way and when I need it (once i relocate) I should have a good score.

since I live on a border town, and frequently shop stateside, I have opened a few account (macys, kohls, target) in my name with my canadian address. figured if i establish a credit relationship now, it might help me later. once I move, i'll change my address.

i realize this might not help you but it might help those reading this in the future.

wish i had more and better answers.

good luck.

[thatangela 134]

Oh nuts ... I knew I should have kept that Nordstrom credit card, but it really was too dangerous to keep it. Especially when they started online ordering for Canada.

[GermanCanadian89 7]

Maybe i'll just try setting one up at the bank. I lived close to the border and shopped a lot in the states, I never thought of doing any of that stuff.

I guess green dot would be a option but, that's prepaid. If I wanted a prepaid card, I might as well just pay for the purchase cash.

I still have my canadian credit card, (which I should pay off; but I really don't want to) that can I could use but, that doesn't really establish my credit here. I even tried using my son's social; and had no luck LOL

[mrs thb 331]

Maybe i'll just try setting one up at the bank. I lived close to the border and shopped a lot in the states, I never thought of doing any of that stuff. I guess green dot would be a option but, that's prepaid. If I wanted a prepaid card, I might as well just pay for the purchase cash. I still have my canadian credit card, (which I should pay off; but I really don't want to) that can I could use but, that doesn't really establish my credit here. I even tried using my son's social; and had no luck LOL

too funny.....where there's a will, there's a way!!!

[GermanCanadian89 7]

Lmao, right? I mean how can a four week old baby rack up a bad bill?

[Karebear 13]

Lmao, right? I mean how can a four week old baby rack up a bad bill?

LOL, that is funny. I mean if dogs can get credit cards why can't you??!!

I opened an account at Bank of America about a year ago and they have already said I have been approved for a credit card. So maybe that can help.

[Steve & Hazel 5]

I'm going through the same issue. After researching some credit cards, I found that the Discover Secured Credit Card to be fair. You have to put a deposit of $200 minimum, and you get it back after a year. However much you put down as a deposit will be your credit card limit. It's the first card that I got approved of. Discover reports the the three major credit bureaus every month. Alternate ideas would be a prepaid visa. I also applied for a Walmart card, apparently they're a more willing to approve applicants.

[Steve & Hazel 5]

Excuse my typos and grammatical errors - I'd blame it on auto correct, but unfortunately fat fingers on an itty-bitty iphone keyboard is also to blame :-)

[mrs thb 331]

Lmao, right? I mean how can a four week old baby rack up a bad bill?

congrats on the baby.....i remember you when you were poe'ing.

evidently, things went okay and you're all settled, or pretending to be.... that's great!

enjoy the infancy stage.....they grow way to fast!!!!!

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

OK, here is what hubby did. He applied for a secured card through Capital One. We use it every month, ONLY for gas for the car and we pay it off every month. We also signed him up for Credit Karma...to keep an eye on his score. It doesn't cost anything, and you can log on and see what is what on there. Remember EVERY time you apply for credit, it adversely affects your rating, so keep inquiries down to a minimum. His score has gone up quite a bit from being non existent to being average in just 7 months.

[sharda 8]

I have a joint chase bank account which give me Debit / Visa card. we have 2 cards one in my husband and one in my name. I use the the card as visa to shop and then pay the bill. That should be able to help u.

But it also depends. We did ours together at the bank however my husband has been with chase for 10 years and has a good banking relationship with them and when we took out the account they took my Canadian info ( SIN/ TB bank Debit card / My place of employment / My job title / my annual income / address )

[Flames9_RN 358]

Not to be lazy or anything...but if you do a search on establishing credit, you will get many hits.....I only state that as this topic is a popular one throughout VJ...and since it is popular..many people with experience...just don't bother to post..as they have posted and posted about it,lol Best of luck

[Sylea 30]

i didn't apply for any.....he just added me to all his accounts and gave me the cards.

i figure i'll establish a credit rating that way and when I need it (once i relocate) I should have a good score.

since I live on a border town, and frequently shop stateside, I have opened a few account (macys, kohls, target) in my name with my canadian address. figured if i establish a credit relationship now, it might help me later. once I move, i'll change my address.

i realize this might not help you but it might help those reading this in the future.

wish i had more and better answers.

good luck.

Hey mrs thb - as a long time Canadian banker, I know for certain that a secondary card holder does not build their own credit rating based on using a spouse's card. The credit facility is based solely on the primary cardholder's credit.

I think it may be the same in the US. When my father passed away a couple of years ago (parents are USC) I had got my mom to apply for a card in her own name when he got sick, which was a good thing since all the joint cards were cancelled at his death.

I plan to put $500 down at BoA to secure a Visa card, and work from there.

Hope that helps.