A “Secured” Credit Card just means you’ll put down a refundable security deposit - and in return, they’ll give you back a line of credit equal to that exact amount. Your secured credit card will get you 2% cash back on restaurants and gas stations, AND you’ll get unlimited 1% cash back on everything else. They’re also running a promotion where they will MATCH your cash back in the first year.
First, there’s no annual fee…this is INSANELY important for anyone just starting out, because a LARGE part of your credit score is made up by the LENGTH OF YOUR CREDIT HISTORY. In addition to no annual fees, they’ll also give you DAILY cash back…like, 3% cash back on apple products and with select merchants. You’ll also get 2% cash back on any purchases made with Apple Pay, and then 1% cash back on everything else.
First, there’s no annual fee. If you get the Amazon Prime Rewards Card - which requires you to have a valid Amazon Prime membership to get the full benefit, you’ll get a $100 amazon gift card for signing up, and then you’ll get unlimited 5% cash back on all amazon and Whole Foods purchases, and 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores…and then 1% cash back on everything else.
The OTHER card I’m referring to is just the normal Amazon Rewards Card…this is what you could get if you DON’T pay for Amazon Prime, and you’ll still get rewards….just not as much. For example, they’ll give you a $50 Amazon Credit when you sign up, 3% cash back on amazon purchases, 2% at restaurants and gas stations, and then 1% back on everything else.
Just like the others, there’s no annual fee. At the moment, hey’ll also give you a $200 cash bonus when you spend $1000 on the credit card within the first 90 days. THEN…if you’re already a Bank of America Preferred Rewards Member, you can get a cash back booster on the credit card, potentially turning a 3% cash back into a 5.25% reward
This is one of the few American Express cards that carries NO ANNUAL FEE…so it’s entirely free to use. Plus, you can earn $150 back when you spend $1000 on the card within the first 3 months. AND you’ll get 3% cash back at Supermarkets, 2% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% back on everything else.
First, sign up for the Discover It Secured Card with a $200 deposit. Once you get the card, all you need to do is put a few of your normal expenses on the card each month…and then pay it off in full. You will do this for 6 months.
Second, if you want to expedite the credit building process just a little further…around the same time you apply for the Discover It card, also apply for the Capital One Secured Card.
Third, after 6 months of doing this…you’ll want to apply for either the Apple Credit Card or Amazon Credit Card. These will be your first “unsecured credit cards.” With these cards, you’ll just do the same thing as the first two…just put small expenses on it, and pay it off in full by the time it’s due.
Fourth, from there…after 8-12 months or less from getting your first card…go and open up the American Express Blue Cash Card.
Then, after 12 months…you should have built up enough of a credit foundation to have a score above 750!