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It's unfortunate his parents are "anti credit". I lost out on many years because I wasn't responsible with mine. I am back on the path to rebuilding though. Atleast your friend is still eager to try regardless. He's got a fresh start and a secured card is a good place to start.
Read Gemini's post and take it as gospel. Also convince your friend to become a transactor and *not* a revolver and to keep those 2 cards open the rest of his life. Credit cards are only for managing spend, getting rewards and building credit for your future. They are never for buying things you cannot pay cash for today.
@Anonymous wrote:
Hello,
I'm new to credit myself however when I started my journey I had the pleasure of being co-signed to a car loan months before I applied for any cards. I also helped a few friends apply for cards that had really thin files.
This friend is different they have no credit what so ever. I tried all the various prequalification sites Capital One, AMEX, Chase, Discover, and BOA. They all say they can't find any offers.
They bank with TCF so I was thinking of telling them to join a CU and applying with them. Not sure if that helps or not with brand new credit.
Any suggestions or experiences with this. Just want to help get them started.
It is not hard at all as long as you manage it well. First, parents can add the junior as an AU to establish credit. Then you can also apply for secured credit. The best place to start is where you bank.
I have a minor who was my AU for two year. When the minor turned to 18 years of age, we went to our local Bank of America and got the BA cash rewards card at the branch. The minor already has own bank account there. Within a year, the minor already has 6 credit cards all unsecured. All major ones, AmEx, Citi DC, BA 3/2/1, Discover and Barclay. We even received offer to apply for PRG, but we ignored it.
Good luck.
This makes me want to stop thinking about my credit decisions and just ask Gemini101 for a financial plan.