How To Build Credit At 18 – A Beginner’s Guide

Financial literacy and building credit at 18 go hand in hand and are an important aspect of turning 18. It’s all about learning how to manage finances, move towards financial independence, and build a strong credit footing. Why? Because understanding how to build credit at 18 yields lifelong benefits. 

In this blog, let’s explore how to build credit at 18 and discover the factors influencing credit health. Also, learn more about CoolCredit, an AI-powered, DIY credit repair app designed to help you navigate the credit repair process with precision.

How to Build Good Credit At 18?

1. Understand the Basics of Credit Score

Your credit score is a powerful indicator of your credit history and impacts your ability to qualify for loans and several other financial products. It is important to understand the basics, and majorly the factors affecting your credit score. For instance, payment history, credit utilization, and length of credit history to name a few.  Let’s explore them further!

How Is a Credit Score Calculated?

A credit score is determined by three major credit reporting agencies in the US:

◾ Equifax 

◾ Experian

◾ TransUnion 

These agencies store consumers’ credit histories. Although the information gathered by the three credit bureaus may vary, they consider five primary factors: 

✅ Payment History: It indicates whether you've paid your bills on time. You can't miss a single payment as it can harm your score.

✅ Credit Utilization: The amount owed is all about how much of your available credit you've used. It's important because it shows how well you handle the credit you have.

✅ Length of Credit History: This includes how long you've used credit.

✅ Credit Mix: Lenders value a mix of credit types - like loans for cars or homes and credit cards. 

✅ New Credit: It takes into consideration, the number of new credit accounts opened by you and the hard inquiries made by lenders.

2. Become an Authorized User on a Parent's Credit Card

Becoming an authorized user on a friend or family friend's account is a great way to build your credit score at 18. The process is simple:

✅ The main cardholder includes your name on the credit card account.

✅ Now, you can make purchases with that card. 

✅ Even if you don't use the card, it can still show up on your credit report and boost your credit score.

Note: Ensure that the main account holder maintains responsible financial behavior. If they accumulate excessive debt or miss payments, it could harm the credit scores of both individuals involved.

3. Launch Credit History With a Tiny Loan

Start with a small loan amount as a smart step to build your credit score history. This ensures you can handle debt and be a suitor for bigger loans (if required).

If you take a loan, start with a smaller one and gradually move towards bigger ones, if the need arises. Once, you take a loan, ensure that you make timely payments every month.

4. Begin With a Starter Credit Card

It is difficult to qualify for a credit card, especially if you don't have a credit history. But, wait, there's a solution! Here are some options to explore:

✅Unsecured credit cards: You don't have to pay upfront to get approved for these cards.

✅ Secured credit cards: Before you start using these cards, you need to pay a deposit, and the amount you deposit is the same as your spending limit at first.

✅ Student credit cards: This could be a good choice If you're a student. These cards usually give you a small amount of money you can spend, but if you don't pay on time, you might have to pay extra interest.

5. Make Timely Payments

Ensuring you are making payments on time or even ahead of the deadline, as it accounts for 35% of your credit score. Whether it's for your microwave or car, every payment matters. You can set up reminders on your phone or automate the payment process to help you stay organized. The objective of building credit is to always pay on time.

6. Regularly Check Your Credit Report

When you regularly monitor your credit report, it helps you to understand things better. For example, your credit score drops significantly, when you miss making a payment. What to do in this situation? The best way is to monitor your credit score and analyze what went right or wrong. You can do this with CoolCredit - a DIY credit repair app powered by an AI-driven setup that intuitively guides you through credit report analysis, and helps set up your disputes with the aim of improving your credit. 

7. Don't Get Over-Enthusiastic

As a young consumer, you must carefully consider your affordability limits. If you take bigger loans and can't pay them, you risk falling into debt and impacting your score. 

Therefore, it's always a good idea to take small steps towards your financial independence and fix your mistakes early. With time, you can diversify your credit profile. 

Why Start Building Credit Early?

Starting to build credit early is a smart move for several reasons:

1. You’ll build a credit history: Lenders like to see that you've handled credit responsibly over time. Without a credit history, it can be tough to get approved for loans or credit cards later on. But if you start early and manage credit well, you are likely to extend credit in the future.
2. Assists with investment decisions: As you grow older, you'll likely face big financial choices like buying a car or a house. Having a good credit score from building credit early can make these decisions easier. You could get better interest rates and terms on loans, which means you'll save money in the long run.
3. Promotes financial stability: A good credit score isn't just about getting loans—it opens doors to opportunities for financial growth. With good credit, you can invest in things like real estate or start a business. By using credit wisely and paying bills on time, you can improve your credit score and set yourself up for a stable financial future.

How Can an AI-Powered Credit Repair App Help?

CoolCredit, the best AI-powered credit repair app, can help youngsters build credit at 18 by:

1. Intuitively leading you towards credit score improvement areas. 

2. Providing ready-to-use AI-generated dispute letters.

3. Offering ‘expert assistance’ when DIY falls short. 

CoolCredit empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of credit building with ease. From personalized expert reviews to convenient dispute letter templates, and advanced tools to navigate the dispute process, ai credit repair tool equips users with the right knowledge and tools needed to build a stronger financial standing. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, for individuals aiming to build credit at 18, these strategies can prepare them for financial independence. Individuals can create a solid credit foundation early on by responsibly managing credit, making timely payments, and starting with small loans. Remember, maintaining a good credit score opens doors to various opportunities and financial stability in the future. 

FAQs

Q: How can an 18-year-old build credit?

A: Understand the basics of credit and the components of credit score. Pay your bills on time and don't be a defaulter. 

Q: What are my options to start building credit at 18?

A: There are many options to build credit at 18, including:

1. Opening a student credit card
2. Taking a student loan 
3. Be an authorized user

Q: What credit score do I start with at 18?

A: The ideal score, to start with would be 350 (lowest) and gradually move towards 850 (highest).

Q: Why is it essential to start building credit early?

A: Starting early helps build a solid credit history, which is important if you want to take a loan in the future.

Q: How long does it take to build credit after 18?

A: Generally, your initial credit score requires at least six months to build. Achieving good or excellent credit status requires a longer timeframe.

Q: How can I get my credit score if I just turned 18?

A: It’s important to pay your bills on time to build excellent credit because your payment history significantly impacts your credit score.