Making mistakes with your credit can make it difficult to get a credit card later on in life. Many people end up in this kind of situation through no fault of their own, as it is very easy to get into credit trouble. Luckily, there are ways around this, as certain credit card companies have made it possible for you to get a card even if you have you poor credit. To help get yourself out of a credit hole, all you need to do is conduct a little research and apply for the credit cards for which you qualify.
Cards for Those With Poor Credit
An increasingly popular industry centers around providing credit cards to people with bad credit. Since so many people are now suffering from credit problems, it makes sense that credit card companies would come out with offers like these. In most cases, you will have a higher-than-normal interest rate and an annual fee attached to one of these cards, but the card will allow you to begin improving your credit rating. If you are able to make your monthly payments, it will look good to future lenders and you can eventually begin applying for cards with lower interest rates.
Many retail stores that offer their own credit card will approve applicants with poor credit. While the bad news is that you can only use these cards at the particular stores to which they are attached, the good news is that they can be used to improve your credit rating. If you shop with one of these cards at a store frequently and pay your card balance immediately, it will positively impact your credit score. Once you begin making monthly payments, it shows up on your credit report and allows you to receive more credit in the future.
Secured Cards
When you apply for a secured credit card, you must put up a security deposit before the lender will grant you the card. While this security deposit might be a deal breaker for some people, it is meant to provide the lender with some confidence that you can make your payments. Some of the money that you have to pay upfront can be put towards your application fee, while the rest can be put towards your account balance later. Secured credit cards start off with a low credit limit, but you can quickly work your way up once you prove to the lender that you are no longer a credit risk.
Money for an Emergency
As you can see, it is possible to find credit cards when you have a poor credit rating, as long as you know where to look. The main issue, however, is that you will have to pay a deposit or deal with an abnormally high interest rate while you attempt to improve your credit score. Because this can be a big hassle, some people choose to forgo these credit cards and instead opt for another form of financial assistance, such as a personal loan or other type of loan.