Copyright (c) 2006 Liz Roberts

Are you someone who has not established credit yet? Are you being denied the same access to credit cards, loans and other credit ways simply because your credit score is too low from not having enough credit or no credit at all. Don't fret, because help is on the way!

If you are planning on getting a personal loan, owning a car, having a home of your own, working in a bank or finally acquiring the furniture you've been longing for a long time then establishing a credit is the answer.

Here are a few ways you can start building up your credit report and get on the road to good credit!

- Start to apply for a guaranteed approval credit card that reports to the credit bureaus. Take your time and always read the fine print in order for you to find the best deal for yourself. These cards are similar to debit cards but they have the Visa or Mastercard logo on them and they report to the credit bureaus.

- Another option might be to check if the lending institution of your choice has a secured credit card being offered. The interest may be higher but you may be able to upgrade to an unsecured card within 12 months if you maintain your payments on time.

- Another type of credit card with easy approval requirements is the merchandise credit cards and department store credit cards. These are an excellent source to start to establish a line of credit. Make sure it's a store where you can purchase a lot of your shopping needs. This way, you don't need to apply for a multiple cards at once which can be seen as a negative on your credit report. One word of caution. Department store credit cards tend to have high interest rates, many of their interest rates start at 15%. So keep an eye on your balance and try to pay as much as you can each month. NEVER make just the minimum payment, especially on a department store credit card.

- Don't forget to fill up any application for a loan or credit card completely. If something doesn't apply put N/A on that line. Include your checking and savings accounts and any accounts you pay for on a monthly basis even if they do not appear on your credit report. If they do not appear on your credit report, please make sure you include a way for your prospective lender to contact them for a trade reference.

If you are thinking about applying for a car loan, it's good to do research on the dealership or car lot where you want to make the purchase. Most dealers will provide a source of financing. Some may carry their own loan and payment plans. Be on the lookout though and read contract carefully if you don't want to get stuck with an interest rate that is through the roof. This venture is where a good cosigner may come into play.

Use these tips to help jumpstart your credit history and get approved for the credit that you deserve!