How to: Get Your First Credit Card

How to Get Your First Credit Card When can you get your first credit card? The day you turn 18. So what’s the problem? As much as you may want a credit card, most credit card companies aren’t going to be so quick to approve you for one. Solution? Instead of applying for possibly 10s of [...]

How to: Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit

How to get a credit card if you have bad credit A low FICO score does not mean you don’t have access to credit No one purposely desires to have a low credit score or bad credit. However, with the economy we find ourselves in, more people are falling into the ‘less-than-good credit score categories [...]

Low Interest Credit Cards, and Why You Want Them

Reasons for wanting low interest credit cards seem obvious, right? Often, while searching for a credit card, many get distracted by offers such as 0% balance transfer credit cards or rewards credit cards such as cash back. However, a low interest credit card can be your first step in a career of good personal finance management. [...]

First Time Home Buyer Loans – An Overview

May 8th, 2012

Kelly

Who does not daydream about owning a house? Such a piece of abode where we can get a peace of mind is definitely a long-cherished ambition of everyone that he wants to paint with the color code of reality. The defining boundary that separates dream and reality is all about money matters. However, lending support is always available and the first-time buyers need not worry about getting loans to make a home purchase.
One glitch is that these loans are tied with a lot of restrictions. That is why; some consider this option a good choice while the rest never want go for it.
First time home buyer loans – The prime features

First time home buyer loans – Eligibility Criteria
First time home buyers loans are generally reserved for those who are not owner of any house. However in some specific case, the loans are granted to those who have not purchased any home in the last 3 years. So, before you strike a deal, make sure that it offers the type of loan that you need.
One thing more, there are some restrictions regarding your earning to qualify for the first time home buyer loans. Generally, these loans are sanctioned for the spenders coming from the middle class and low income background. So, it is no surprise that the applications of the high-heeled buyers will not be accepted.
First Time Home Buyer Loan – know about other restrictions
Most of the first time home buyer loans are granted if the property price is within the specified limit as specified in the rules and regulations. So, if you are considering about buying an expensive house, then the first time home buyers loan can not make an ideal choice. Some may consider such restrictions as worthless but these are imposed to ensure no misuse of the loans granted.
And this is not the end of the restrictions, there are still some left. You are not allowed to rent the bought property to make it a source of your income. Instead, you must make it a residential property. The house you are making investment into must be in the mint condition so that you can shift here bag and baggage immediately after buying it.

What are the unique ways to consolidate your payday loan debt?

April 5th, 2012

Kelly

Payday loans are short term loans that the consumer use at the middle of the month to manage their unexpected expenses. However, the interest rate on this loan is exorbitant, so people continuously take out loan in order to avoid the exigent repayment term. Therefore, they fail to come out from the vicious cycle of debt and it further complicates the situation of the consumer. If you are struggling to pay off your payday loan, then payday loan debt consolidation can solve your financial problem.

When you are planning to pay off your payday loan debt, then your prime task should be to reduce your monthly expenses. Make sure you prepare a monthly budget, in order to curb your expenses. Once you control your expenses, then it will be easier to consolidate your debts. Then you are required to know about the legal right regarding the payday loan in your state. Once you are aware of the legal rights, then it’ll help you negotiate you debt with ease. Here are the three effective ways to consolidate your payday loan debt:

1. Consolidate your debts:
You can take out home equity loan as the interest rate on this loan will be comparatively lower than payday loan. You can use this money to consolidate your high interest payday loan debt. You can also take out loan against your 401k account and use the money to consolidate your payday loan debt. You are required to contact the human resource department of your office in order to know whether you can take out loan against your retirement account. Once you have money in your account to pay off the debts, then you can negotiate with the lenders to lower the interest rate to make it affordable to pay off.

2. Hire debt consolidation firm:
You can hire the services of a debt consolidation firm to eliminate your financial woes. When you have incurred insurmountable amount of debt, then you might get loan on affordable terms. In this situation, the firm might help you get a secured consolidation loan with low interest rate. The proficient debt arbitrators might negotiate with the creditors to lower the interest rate on the principal balance to make it affordable to pay off. You can use the secured debt consolidation loan to consolidate your multiple payday loan debts.

3. Transfer your payday loan debt to a credit card:
You can transfer your high interest payday loan debt into a new credit card that offers introductory rate or zero interest rate on the card for a specific period. It will be easier to pay off your high interest debt by transferring to an introductory rate offer card. Make sure that you pay off your debts before the introductory offer expires, otherwise the interest rate will bounce to the average rate charged on other cards making it difficult to pay off.

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Christian Debt Relief

March 15th, 2012

Kelly

Many Christians are suffering from credit card debt that has accrued from months or even years of spending beyond their financial capabilities. However, with careful thought to Biblical principles they can begin to overcome the mediocrity of overspending for the sake of having stuff over a quality lifestyle to become good stewards of what God has entrusted to them.
Jesus tells us the story in Matthew 25:20-21 of the five talents; “and he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

If all Christians would respect and care for even a little of what God has provided for them, they would receive greater increase! However, many Christians look to the world for their financial standard of living and completely miss this financial opportunity that God gives all of His children in Matthew 25:20-32.

But it’s not just money. Whatever it is that God has given us whether it be our talents, our time or our love, if we invest, cultivate and generously share what we have, we will realize great increase over the years. God will see to it that we are continuously blessed, but where does one begin this process with excess debt and a lack of time due to working extra hard in order to play “catch up” with their lack of money?

While a good budget is a beginning, the debt issue must be addressed. Credit card interest rates in many cases increase as the card balance grows. Where a person might get a credit card with an introductory interest rate at 12% for example, once the credit line has been reached and the card holder can only make minimum payments at best, the interest rates can soar as high as 29% or more. All the credit card company has to do is notify their customers of the changes and they go into affect.

To overcome this debt many Christians turn to God in faith, looking to Him to help them. However, they must be very strong in cutting back on their spending and not using credit cards for any future purchases. If this appears to be too difficult a task, it may be wise and prudent for one to look to a debt counseling organization which will help them manage their debt and work with their creditors for a payment plan and time frame for a scheduled pay off date.

There are other organizations which might be helpful such as a Christian debt settlement company. However, it’s important to insure that the organization chosen is reputable and will deliver what they promise. Some debt settlement companies have been known to collect money for their fee and for payment to the credit card companies without ever making a payment, leaving their client’s worse off in the process.

So while it might look hopeless for the Christian to ever gain control over their money, faith as well as a reputable organization for debt management or settlement can be used to get into a position of becoming a good steward for God with their money.
© Margaret Lukasik
http://Christian-money-growth.com

Assistance of a lawyer can be favorable to settle your credit card debts

January 11th, 2012

Kelly

Debt settlement is a process where you pay less than you actually owe to the creditors. When you settle a debt the creditor agrees on a new repayment term that will be affordable for you to pay off. If you hire the services of a debt settlement company then you might not be able to avoid the harassing calls of the creditors. In this situation, a lawyer can put an end to the harassing calls of the creditors as well as settle your credit card debts effortlessly. The lawyer will review your financial situation before recommending credit card debt settlement or consolidation.

Here are a few ways why lawyer can be beneficial for negotiating settlement with the creditors:

1. Guidance of an attorney:
The attorney can guide you through the legal procedure therefore the complex situation surrounding the settlement process will be managed tactfully. The attorney will promptly provide a solution to your problem to solve the legal matters. A proficient lawyer will have knowledge on debt law and he can help you guide you through the process.

2. Avoid threatening calls:
When you are represented by a lawyer the creditors will be careful before giving a collection call. The attorney will make you aware of the FTC rule to deal with the collections calls. If the lawyers send a certified letter to the creditors to cease communication then they are forced to do so. The attorneys are mediator between the creditor and the debtor.

3. Negotiate with the creditor:
The creditors often repudiate to negotiate settlement with the debtors. But the lawyers are tactful to convince the creditors to settle the debt. If you are represented by a lawyer then the creditors will be keen to work with you. The lawyer will work out a repayment plan in accordance with your financial situation. The lawyers can use legal procedure to settle the debt.

4. Avoid legal action:
When you hire the services of an attorney then you can avoid the legal action that the creditors threaten to take against you. If the creditor file law suit against you then the lawyers have authority to approach the creditor to convince him for out of court settlement.

5. Detail information on settlement process:
The lawyers will provide you detail information on the settlement process before you take up the program. It will be easier to decide whether the settlement process will be beneficial for your financial situation.

Therefore, if you settle your credit card debts with the help of a lawyer then it might be beneficial for you as it will help you attain a debt free life effortlessly.

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Forget About Waxing with Introduction of Laser Hair Removal

January 1st, 2012

GThurston1

Among most common methods to remove hair, we account waxing, epilation, electrolysis and laser hair removal. For now, laser is the only method which provides long lasting or permanent hair removal with fast and easy approach.

It is important that when choosing beauty parlor which undertakes laser hair removal, you take practitioners knowledge into account. Laser can leave serious consequences because of improper handling of the practitioner or patients disregard for directives. Specialist that performs work with a laser must know composition of the skin, hair, different hair growth states, skin functions, skin diseases, allergies, autoimmune diseases, skin cancer symptoms, etc

The fact that lasers are revolutionary hair removal treatment, suggest not only publications in newspapers, but also satisfactions of the customers. FDA Medical Device Division does not allow for a laser for to be publicized as a permanent solution; as well it does not allow for us clients to demand 100% results.

History of laser goes back to the year of 1920. They have been removing hairs with roentgen device, a method that only showed to be a short-term solution. Its flaws were not only that it lasted for a short time, but it also proved to be causing bone thinning, rearranging and hyper pigmentation and hypo pigmentation. In year 1940, they concluded with such procedures.

Timeworn scientific research reported that collagen fibers within the skin are hurt even with forty joules of energy per cubic centimeter. Today we know that intensity over forty joules per cubic centimeter is required for hair to be removed permanently. Anyhow, billions of dollars have been invested in laser industry, which has born real and reliable results.

Based on photo thermal effect, we achieve destruction of hair follicle. Light is being absorbed in melanin, which is present mostly in dark hairs. Because hair follicle can only be removed in certain state of hair development, practice must be recurrent.

4 Common myths and realities about consolidating your credit card debt

November 8th, 2011

CreditGuru

With money as tight as it’s ever been in the United States, a staggering number of people are struggling hard to resolve their credit card debt problems. As per the reports issued by Federal Reserve in 2011, 609.8 million credit cards are held by U.S. consumers and average credit card debt per household with credit card debt is $15,799. However, only a handful of these debt stricken consumers are trying to sort things out and pay off their debts. One of the most useful ways to write off credit card debt is to consolidate your multiple debts. Yes, your credit card debt, which is spiraling out of control can be controlled by consolidation, provided you have a clear concept of what credit card debt consolidation is and how it works and what are its pros and cons. However, it’s not easy to know what is true and what is not and it requires a lot of research to separate myth from truths, when it comes to the topic of consolidation. If you are struggling to decide whether you should rely on various comments you may have been told about a debt consolidation program, this article can help you out. To clear all your preconceived misconceptions about debt consolidation, continue reading below.

Myth: Debt consolidation is a debt reduction strategy like debt snow ball method or avalanche method.

Truth: No way, debt consolidation can not be regarded as a debt reduction strategy, because it can’t reduce your overall debt burden at all. Rather, it just moves your debt around, so that your monthly payments become easier to handle. In fact, as debt consolidation plan makes you pay for almost 20-30 years, sometimes you end up paying more over the years.

Myth: Debt consolidation ruins your credit score.

Truth: It’s true that other debt relief programs like debt settlement or bankruptcy can damage your credit score, but things are different with debt consolidation. It can hurt your credit, only under specific situations like if you close down your account abruptly right after a balance transfer. However, if you can avoid this minor pitfall, your credit score remains safe as debts get paid in full after consolidation. Rather if you continue making payments in a timely manner, consolidation can help you to build up your credit.

Myth: You must be a homeowner to qualify for debt consolidation

Truth: All debt stricken consumers are eligible to opt for debt consolidation program, but as maximum consumers carry a bad credit rating due to several missed payments, they face difficulty to qualify for unsecured consolidation loans. Invariably, they have no other option but to go for secured consolidation loan, which in most cases requires some collateral, like a house in order to secure the loan.

Myth: Debt Consolidation and debt settlement are nearly the same.

Truth: Well, this one is the wildest one, I have ever heard of. Debt consolidation helps you to pay your multiple debts through a single payment gateway, at a lower interest rate. In fact, under a debt consolidation plan, you get a second chance to pay back your debt over a longer period of time and consequently, the monthly payments get lowered. Whereas, debt settlement is entirely a different approach, where you negotiate with your creditors to eliminate a considerable portion of your principal amount and ask them to accept this reduced amount as full payment of the debt.

Sony Credit Card Review

October 25th, 2011

Jean

Sony Rewards Credit Card

The Sony rewards card, although not new, has recently started offering customers more points for purchases and more upfront points when they sign up for the card. So, is it worth it? The Sony credit card as a rewards card? Read on…

The biggest complaint I hear about involving the Sony Rewards Card is how long is takes to get their rewards purchases shipped to them. Some people said it would take weeks to receive their item. Honestly however, this is not always the case. If you use the rewards points to get rewards cards, they actually ship out quite fast. These gift cards can be used at a Sony store, or on Sony.com – This method drastically decreases the time it takes to get your rewards! Just be wary, if you’re using the card to purchase new and exciting Sony products, there is a chance they could be back ordered. Sony is a very popular electronics company, and many of their items are out of stock or hard to find anywhere when they are released, not just for rewards points customers!

So, why do I want a Sony Credit Card?

The Basics
The NEW Sony credit card is a Platinum Visa which is issued by Capital One. This card is only for consumers with Good to Excellent credit.

No Annual Fee
There is no annual fee on the NEW Sony card. If you’ve read my other articles, you know I believe that this is an absolute must with a rewards card, because the whole concept of paying a fee to earn rewards just doesn’t make sense for your average consumer.

Interest Rate
The interest rate is both adjustable with the prime rate and also credit depending. There are 3 tiers of rates, varying from “reasonable” to “mildly outrageous”. This isn’t one of those cards I’d generally consider carrying a balance over on.

Promotions
Right now, if you sign up from this link, you can get a $50 Credit on your SonyCard statement after your first purchase. This is a fantastic offer, so I would suggest signing up through this website or another affiliate that offers this program. They basically give you enough points for a free $50 gift card for anything at a Sony store or Sony.com

Rewards
It’s a rewards card… so.. how are the rewards?

This really depends. The question is, do you, or would you be willing to, shop at a Sony store or at Sony.com? Why you ask? Here’s the point breakdown:

5 points per dollar for purchases at Sony Style stores or from Sony.com
3 points per dollar for Sony purchases from Sony authorized retailer
1 point per dollar for everyday purchases

Enjoy Sony Rewards for everyday purchases with the SonyCard. Apply now

Conclusion
The Sony Card is a good credit card offering $200-$20,000 limit, with great rewards geared towards those who buy electronics or video games. In my opinion, get the card, get your bonus $50 gift card, buy yourself or someone else something nice at Sony.com, and if you don’t feel you’re going to use the card any longer, just keep it for emergency electronics purchases

Banner is below Apply now:

Credit Cards For Bad Credit

October 24th, 2011

Jean

Credit Cards For Bad Credit – Is There Such A Thing?

With the current economic situation, it’s pretty normal to see people defaulting on their credit card payments. Some are even thousands of dollars in credit card debt while others might be the range of ten or hundreds of thousands worth of debt. People who have defaulted on paying their credit card payments most definitely have issues when it comes to their credit scores. How do we turn this whole mess around? This is where credit cards for bad credit come in. You need credit to get credit, but how do you fix your credit when you have bad credit, if you can’t get a credit card with bad credit? Want to know more? Read on.

What Will Happen To People With Bad Credit?

People with bad credit will have a difficulty to get another credit card or be extended credit and loan to by banks. Why? For the simple reason that there is already a record on the three bureaus that they defaulted their payment and do have bad credit as shown on their credit scores.

Basically, there are four things that might happen to a person with bad credit:

Not be able to open another credit card
Application for personal loans will not be approved
Can not apply for house mortgage or car loan
Difficult to establish oneself back at a good financial status (good credit score)

Yes, it can be the most horrible thing to happen in a person’s financial aspect – having bad credit. This does not mean that a person does not have a chance to redeem himself. It is just not everybody does not have access to valuable information as to how to get back and have a good credit score. For those who want to know the reason, take a look at what credit cards for bad credit have to offer.

Is There A Way To Redeem Oneself After Having A Bad Credit?

There is one proven way to get back to one’s feet again after getting a bad credit. This is to have a new credit card, be on time with regard to payment, and never ever make late payments.

Yes, there are banks that have seen the potential of catering to people with bad credit. Thus, they have created a special kind of credit card – credit cards for bad credit, or “bad credit credit cards”. This in return gives people who have been in a deep financial turmoil the opportunity to be back on track and prove to themselves as well as their creditors that they are creditworthy and deserves a second chance.

Credit Cards For Bad Credit Is There A Catch?

Even though banks are taking the risk of extending credit to people with bad credit, this does not mean that there is a catch to it. Well, of course, it is expected that a person needs to pay his bill on time and never default. Payments made by people who do have credit cards for bad credit are reported to the three bureaus. Therefore, this is one way of building one’s credit score once again. This time make sure that everything is done properly – no more unpaid bills, no more defaults. Keep reading to find out what to watch out for

Bad Credit Credit Cards – Things To Consider When Comparing Credit Cards

Having bad credit does not mean that it is the end of the world – financially that is. There is still a way to redeem oneself and be back on track. Introducing – bad credit credit cards! Yes, these credit cards will help people who are in big debt to walk all the way up and establish a good credit score.

The following are the things that a person must consider when comparing bad credit credit cards.

Application/Processing and Annual Fee

This should be on top of the list. Be on the know as to how much would it cost with regard to application or processing one’s bad credit credit cards application. Also, the annual fee is important. Remember, the money paid for the fees does not form part as a deposit or part of the credit line that can be used. Taking into consideration that amount of money need to thrown out in the bin to pay up for the privilege of using the card should be meticulously look at.

Reporting To Three Bureaus

The very reason why a person would be getting bad credit credit cards is to enable to establish a good credit standing. Thus, it would be another factor to consider when eyeing a credit card. Be sure that the bank reports to the three bureaus that payment has been made and all of them are on time. Never default even for a single time or else it would ruin the chance of getting back on a good track.

Access To Account Information

Does the account holder have access to account information 24/7? This should be on the list as well. This will be convenient to those who want to check out their details and as to how much debt are owed to the bank, and other relevant matters.

Acceptance Of The Card

It would be such a pain if the bad credit credit cards use is acceptable by limited merchants in the country and other parts of the world. Be sure the card is widely accepted by millions of merchants worldwide.

Customer Service

It would be a total mess to be dealing with a bank’s customer service department if they do not even know how to cater to each of the client’s needs. Therefore, it is highly recommended to go for a bank that offers superb customer service.

How to: Get Your First Credit Card

October 22nd, 2011

CreditGuru

How to Get Your First Credit Card

When can you get your first credit card? The day you turn 18. So what’s the problem? As much as you may want a credit card, most credit card companies aren’t going to be so quick to approve you for one. Solution? Instead of applying for possibly 10s of cards and getting denials which can hurt your already non-existent credit, apply for the cards from companies that have a track record of approving first-timers.

Credit cards for students. Credit card companies are more than willing to give out credit cards to college students. This is a bit of a sad truth, these corporate giants wanting to add debt to individuals who already find themselves in debt. However, if you’re in college, you have a very good chance of getting approved for what they all a ‘student credit card’. The warning here? Get only 1 card. Credit card companies are notorious for trying to load up college students with multiple cards and even more debt. So how to choose which one? Simple, look closely at student credit card offers. Some of them are flat out terrible deals. High interest rates, annual fees, and other surcharges. Just because it says “student credit card” doesn’t mean it’s actually good for students. So what to look for? A great first credit card has a lower APR, no annual fee, and may or may not have ‘student’ in the title.

First check with the bank your checking or savings is with. If you’ve been good with a checking or savings account, many banks will approve you for their credit card, especially local or regional banks. Talk to a bank rep about opening up your first credit card, and get their advice. Many times they will know which cards you have a chance of being approved for. Because you have an existing business relationship with them, they know more about you (even though not much is on your credit file), so it is easier for them to approve you. You could apply online, but in this case, going into a bank branch may allow you to speak to someone who has more authority to approve you for a card, especially in the case of local banks or credit unions.

Next, you could try a department store or gas credit card. My first credit card was with a small box retail store. Retail stores and gas stations typically have easy credit card approval. The downside? 1.) Lower limits, 2.) Higher interest rates, and 3.) You can only use it at that location or store. BUT, many times retail store cards will have good no-interest financing offers, and on top of that, it builds your credit, which ultimately is what we’re looking to do here.

Sometimes limiting you to that store can be a good thing however, to keep you in check with responsible spending. What else could you try?Look for credit cards for those with limited credit. Most websites, including CreditCardsology, will sort cards by the type of credit you need to get them. If you have limited credit history, look for credit cards that are for those with ‘moderate’ credit scores. Remember, don’t bother applying for cards which require ‘excellent’ credit, it’ll just be a blow to your self-esteem when you get denied.

What to do if you’re denied? Legally, when you apply for a credit card and you get denied, the credit card company has to send you something in the mail called an adverse action notice, this notice includes a somewhat specific reason or reasons you were denied for that card. Use this information. Maybe you need to fix something on your credit report, try for an easier type of card, or start with a secured credit card.

How to: Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit

October 22nd, 2011

CreditGuru

How to get a credit card if you have bad credit

A low FICO score does not mean you don’t have access to credit

No one purposely desires to have a low credit score or bad credit. However, with the economy we find ourselves in, more people are falling into the ‘less-than-good credit score categories these days. But, there’s some hope for those who have bad credit scores. You can still get a credit card with bad credit.
Geoff Williams is the co-author of the book “Living Well with Bad Credit.” He says, “We tend to think of money problems as a character flaw, But we’ve all found out in the past two years that money problems can happen to anyone.” So you see, the industry understands that just because you have bad credit doesn’t necessarily mean you’re untrustworthy.

Peter Garuccio is spokesman with the American Bankers Association. He says that while you may not even bother applying for a credit card, thinking it will be insta-declined, the truth is you have options. “There are still a lot of offers out there” he says. His suggestions? 1.) Your personal bank, or 2.) Your local credit union.

Here’s some things to remember

Sob stories work
If you know your credit report has some nasties on it, like 60 day+ late payments or a loan default, you might still be able to get a card by simply by explaining the situation and reasons behind your financial difficulties. It’s a little known fact, as a consumer, you can add a 100 word statement to your credit report, letting potential credit partners know the story behind your report. Anyone who pulls a credit report is supposed to read that statement and consider it in making a credit decision. That’s why you never see “Sorry you’re declined” notices instantly, you just get the dreaded ”we are unable to approve you instantly.” This is because, by statute, someone is actually supposed to look at the thing. This isn’t all automated.

So what should you say in this golden blurb? Quite simply, something like, “Look, the economy of such-and-such year killed my credit. I lost my job and or the amount of work I had tanked and am still trying to catch up, but if you look you’ll see before this happened, I was always on time with my bills.’” Creditors may also be more willing to overlook bad credit if the circumstances were unrelated to your spending habits. Divorce and Illness are two reasons that most creditors will understand is not just you being irresponsible.

Couldn’t make this method work for you? Don’t worry, there are other options.

Secured credit cards allow you deposit a sum of your own money into a account similar to a savings account. A credit lender then issues you a card with a credit line that’s equal to (or sometimes a bit higher) than the amount you deposited. Bad credit isn’t really an issue, because you’re putting the money up to secure the line.

This method can get your credit from zero to hero in just under a year. Even 100 point boosts are possible with good judgement in 9 months.

Because of the economy, many issuers of secured credit cards have used this to their economic advantage, and added upfront fees for secured deposits, making them slightly less accessible. Also, expect to pay an annual fee of some sort, but the goal is to try to avoid insane upfront costs.

The other thing you need to make sure of, is that the card issuer reports to at least 1 credit bureau. The whole point of getting the card is to regain credit, this would be a wasted effort if they didn’t report. After a year or so of using the secured card, you can even go back to the same credit issuer and try to get an unsecured card, as many of them offer both.

Not into secured cards? There’s another way.

Subprime credit cards are another option for people with bad credit. Sometimes these are called fee-harvesting cred cards, because they are chock full of various fees and charges. Up front fees, annual fees, one-time fees. You name it, you’ll find the surcharge in the fine text. The Credit Card Act of 2009 made a few positive changes, capping their upfront fees to 25 percent of the card’s limit, but subprime card issuers can still raise interest rates to limit their risk. If you end up with a subprime card, the goal is 1.) Get the card, 2.) Put something on it, 3.) Pay it off, and wait till your credit improves to get a better card.

Another option? So simple it’s crazy. Wait a few months, using that time to pay down debt, make on-time payments, and get your score up. This method will rebuild credit history, and pay down some of the debt that got you into the mess in the first place.