If you are a young adult thinking about your finances or a parent or guardian, you may wonder what age a person can start building credit? Most young people going at it alone will have to wait until they are 18. However, a pre-teen or teen can be added as an authorized user on an adult’s financial account to start building credit as young as 13! Keep reading for more information on the different options available for Building credit and its various benefits!
Credit Building Options for Children and Young Adults Under 18
When an individual is under 18, adding them as an authorized user on a credit card is the most popular option. As long as your credit card company reports authorized user payment history to all three major credit bureaus, the individual who is a minor will be a part of the credit card account. What does this mean for credit building purposes? An authorized user’s credit will now be tied to the primary borrower’s revolving credit account. Any uses or payments will be recorded onto a credit report for that authorized user.
Before adding a child to a credit card account, it is essential to think about your own financial habits. Because if you miss any payments on your credit card, that will also impact the minor that is an authorized user. On the other hand, positive payment history can be an excellent start for a young person to build credit.
You should also consider the amount of power that comes with being an authorized user. With this title, your child can use your credit card online or in person just like you would. And so, definitely, something to discuss and consider before adding another person to your credit card.
Building Credit at 18 and Older
If you have just turned 18 or are in your early twenties and are trying to build credit, it may seem like a daunting task, but it is definitely possible and worth it! Here are the different options that can help you build credit and establish credit scores even if you are starting from scratch.
Secured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards are exactly what they sound like. Lenders will provide you with usage after you put in the funds to use the card. The amount you deposit will be the card’s credit limit. Once you start using your credit card and paying it back, those transactions will be reported to credit bureaus. If you make your payments on time, you may be able to get credit from the lender without using a down payment (an unsecured credit card). Secured credit cards can be a great way to learn to use credit cards wisely, all while building credit.
Reporting Your Rent Payments and Utility Bills
Another way to establish a credit history is by getting your rent and utility payments reported. There are a few ways to do this. You can talk to your landlord and utility companies and ask them to report that information for you. If that is not possible, several third-party services can help report that information for you to the major credit bureaus. With this reporting in place, it can be easy to build credit. Remember that any missed or late rent or utility payments will also show up on your credit report, so ensure you have good financial habits before signing up for these services. Additionally, not all score models will include these payments.
Credit Builder Loan
A credit builder loan works by collecting monthly payments from a borrower before making a loan amount available. You will have to make monthly installments until you reach the required amount. The great thing about these payments is that they will be reported to all credit bureaus. And once you get the loan money and start paying that back, it will also be reported onto your credit reports!
Get a Cosigner for a Loan Option
Another thing you can consider if you are trying to build credit or improve your credit is adding a cosigner to a loan option. When you ask someone to cosign on a loan, you ask them to enter into a loan contract with you. If the primary borrower cannot repay the loan, they have to legally take on the responsibility of paying back the loan.
It can be challenging to qualify when it comes to traditional personal loans and credit cards if you don’t have good credit. And so, adding a cosigner who does have a good credit rating can increase your chances of approval. And it could potentially increase your loan or credit card amount. Getting a loan and repaying it on time can be an easy way to build good credit. Keep in mind that in addition to paying back the amount you borrowed from the financial institution, you will also have to pay back interest—both of these costs will be a part of your monthly payments.
Student Loan Options
Most people pursue college or other forms of higher education after they graduate high school. And to pay for things like tuition, books, room and board, student loans can help. Federally-funded student loans are always the better option over private lenders. The flexible thing about federal student loan funding is that you don’t need good credit or established credit to qualify. And you won’t have to worry about paying them until you graduate or decide to leave school.
Another benefit is that repayment is usually highly flexible, and interest rates will be low. Once you start repaying your student loans, that payment activity will be reported to the major credit bureaus and can help you build your credit.
What Are Some Benefits of Having a Positive Credit History?
Having a positive credit history and a good credit score – which go hand in hand, is crucial to your financial health and stability. Not only will your credit score and credit history directly impact the kinds of loans or credit cards you can get, but it will also impact things like your ability to buy a car or a home and sometimes even help or hurt your employment search. The bottom line is that you could get the best and most affordable financial products with a positive credit history. And have access to a better quality of life!
Building Good Credit Habits at an Early Age
No matter how old a person is, they can start learning about good financial and credit habits. Here are some accessible places to start when trying to build positive habits with money:
Making Payments on Time
Did you know that your payment history is the single largest factor that impacts your credit score? Late payment can stay on a credit report for seven years, and even having a few can negatively impact your credit score.
And so, learning to be punctual with your money is crucial. For adults, a secured credit card is an excellent place to start when trying to learn about timely payment. While for children, something as simple as lending and asking for a portion of that money back on the same day each month can help them understand the importance of timely payments.
Understand and Limit Your Credit Utilization Ratio
Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of usable credit you have to the amount of money that you owe. When your credit utilization is over 30%-35%, it can negatively impact your credit score. And so, getting into the habit of tracking how much debt you have, how close to max your credit cards are, and minimizing revolving credit use while maximizing your monthly debt payments can all help with this ratio.
Limiting Hard Credit Inquiries
Once you have credit, It may be tempting to apply for several different loan options on a whim. However, each hard credit check will lower your credit score by a few points. And so, it will be helpful to learn to have self-control with potential loan or credit card options.
Getting a Savings Account
A savings account will be an essential tool for your financial future. It can protect you from borrowing money from high-interest loan options like payday loans if you need emergency money. Instead, with an emergency fund, you can use your own money and replenish it when you are caught up again.
Learning to Budget
Budgeting is one of the most important tools when tracking your money and setting financial goals. Both adults and children can use all kinds of budgeting methods to organize their finances. With a budget in place, you can rest assured you’ll have the money you need to make your loan or credit card payments on time.
References:
How to establish a credit history for children | Chase
At what age can you start building credit? – Lexington Law
