I just want to add that people today are very fortunate to have the internet and helpful sites like MyFico. IMO they shouold refer to places like this before the actuall need arises. Yet so often I see people coming here as a last resort for advise, only after the dmage is done.
If people came here for advise before the fact, there might be better news to share. Just imagine what it was like for some of use around before the internet, when the only way to find out the reason for denial was a letter. And back then we didn't have the resources of today to find out how to remedy the situation. Tips, tactics etc.
Only a handful offerd Secured cards in the event you didn't qualify for the reguar version. So starting out with no credit was extremely difficult. However, one might say that it's easier to get into debt nowdays. With the ease of credit apps online etc.
