How to Use a Secured Credit Card and Build Credit
- UpdatedOct 5, 2024
- A secured credit card is a useful tool for establishing or rebuilding credit in as little as six months.
- A secured credit card requires an initial cash deposit, but you can get your money back.
- After a few months of responsible use, you can apply for a traditional credit card.
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A secured credit card serves as a stepping stone as you work toward improving your credit score. You can use one to build credit or to recover from damaged credit.
What is a secured credit card?
A secured credit card looks and works like any other credit card. You can use it to make purchases that you pay for later. If you don’t pay off your entire balance by your payment due date, you'll pay interest on the unpaid balance. The key difference is that you need to make a cash deposit to get a secured card.
With traditional credit cards, the lender is trusting you to pay the money you owe. It doesn’t take long to build this trust. In the meantime, if the lender isn’t sure whether you’ll pay your debt, because your credit score is low or you haven’t established a credit history yet, a cash deposit lowers their risk.
How to choose a secured credit card
Secured credit cards come with varying fees and terms, so take the time to compare different options to find one that best fits your needs.
Fees you might notice include an annual or monthly fee, application fees, inactivity fees, statement fees, membership fees, and so on. Many secured card options don't have these fees, so those are the ones to look for.
You also want to be aware of the APR (annual percentage rate), which tells you how much interest you'll pay if you carry a balance. Interest is an additional cost that the creditor will charge you if you don’t pay off your balance in full each month. If you don’t pay off your balance, interest makes your transactions more expensive. You can avoid interest altogether by paying off your balance each month in full.
If you want to build a good credit score, it’s important to apply for a secured credit card that reports your balance and payment history to the credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (all three if possible). If they don't report, then having the card won’t help you build credit.
How to apply for a secured credit card
Most secured credit cards will take your application online. You’ll provide identifying information. Some creditors will check your credit, but others don't.
Once your application is approved, here’s what happens:
Send in your deposit
The lender will give you instructions for sending in your security deposit. Usually, you can do this by linking your bank account online. There may also be an option to mail a money order.
The security deposit amount can vary depending on the issuer. Sometimes, the amount of your security deposit will be your credit limit. However, some lenders allow a credit limit that's higher than the amount of your deposit.
Pay on time and in full
Achieving financial success starts with responsible credit card habits. Life can get busy, but a strong credit score will help you achieve your financial goals in the future, so focus on making on-time payments. Your payment history is the most important factor in your credit score. Commit to paying in full each month.
Use a secured credit card sparingly
Though you may have the power to make purchases anywhere at any time with a secured credit card, it doesn't mean you should. Use a secured credit card with caution. Stay in control and only spend within your means. Don’t use a credit card to buy something you can’t afford. If you can’t pay off your balance every month, it may be a sign that you're spending too much on the card.
Never max out your card. In fact, don’t even come close. Utilization is the amount you owe compared to your credit limit. If your limit is $300 and you owe $270, your utilization is 90%. Utilization is the second most important factor affecting your credit score, right behind payment history. The best utilization is zero. One way to keep it low even if you use your card regularly is to make payments more than once a month.
When do you graduate from your secured card?
After a period of use and on-time payments, some banks will convert your account to an unsecured credit card automatically and return your deposit. If your credit card issuer doesn’t do this, you may be able to apply for an unsecured card after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments.
At that time, look for a starter card. They’re easier to get approved for. Capital One and Discover are known for traditional (unsecured) credit cards that are designed for students and others with limited credit history. Once you get an unsecured card, you can close your secured credit card account and request the return of your deposit. You’ll need to pay off any outstanding balance first.
Pros and cons of secured credit cards
Secured credit cards can be a great option if you're looking for a way to get your credit score on the right track and establish a good credit history. There are some amazing potential benefits of using one. These include:
Secured cards are an effective way to build or rebuild your credit history and credit score
Almost anyone can get a secured card
With on-time payments, you can graduate to an unsecured card in a matter of months
Secured credit cards aren't without their downsides. These include:
You'll need to put down a security deposit
Some secured cards have fees
Secured cards tend to have low credit limits
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking debt relief during August 2024. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
Credit utilization and debt relief
How are people using their credit before seeking help? Credit utilization measures how much of a credit line is being used. For example, if you have a credit line of $10,000 and your balance is $3,000, that is a credit utilization of 30%. High credit utilization often signals financial stress. We have looked at people who are seeking debt relief and their credit utilization. (Low credit utilization is 30% or less, medium is between 31% and 50%, high is between 51% and 75%, very high is between 76% to 100%, and over-utilized over 100%). In August 2024, people seeking debt relief had an average of 88% credit utilization.
Here are some interesting numbers:
Credit utilization bucket | Percent of debt relief seekers |
---|---|
Over utilized | 88% |
Very high | 5% |
High | 3% |
Medium | 1% |
Low | 3% |
The statistics refer to people who had a credit card balance greater than $0.
You don't have to have high credit utilization to look for a debt relief solution. There are a number of solutions for people, whether they have maxed out their credit cards or still have a significant part available.
Personal loan balances – average debt by selected states
Personal loans are one type of installment loans. Generally you borrow at a fixed rate with a fixed monthly payment.
In August 2024, 44% of the debt relief seekers had a personal loan. The average personal loan was $11,142, and the average monthly payment was $361.
Here's a quick look at the top five states by average personal loan balance.
State | % with personal loan | Avg personal loan balance | Average personal loan original amount | Avg personal loan monthly payment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts | 73% | $14,911 | $22,287 | $502 |
Connecticut | 43% | $14,902 | $22,481 | $512 |
Arkansas | 38% | $14,573 | $22,088 | $543 |
New Jersey | 41% | $13,608 | $19,917 | $453 |
Minnesota | 48% | $13,249 | $19,357 | $475 |
Personal loans are an important financial tool. You can use them for debt consolidation. You can also use them to make large purchases, do home improvements, or for other purposes.
Manage Your Finances Better
Understanding your debt situation is crucial. It could be high credit use, many tradelines, or a low FICO score. The right debt relief can help you manage your money. Begin your journey to financial stability by taking the first step.
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How fast will a secured card build credit?
Obtaining a secured credit card can help you establish credit in months. However, it may take longer to maintain and improve your credit rating. A positive credit history is built over time.
If you’re just getting started with credit, getting a credit score requires at least one open account, and the account must be open for at least six months.
If you’re recovering from credit damage, your most recent activity is more important than older activity.Maintaining control of your account is key. Once you open a secured credit card, reporting takes place right away. Don’t miss even a single payment.
Your secured card will be reported as soon as it's open, and the payment history will be reported starting with the first month. As soon as you make your first on-time payment, you’re establishing positive credit history.
The account is going to be reported as brand new, of course, and account age is a factor. Older is better. As your account ages, your score should improve. Even if you close the account and open a traditional credit card after 6-12 months, you’ll still get the benefit of account age. Accounts closed in good standing stay on your credit report for ten years.
Do all secured credit cards report to credit bureaus?
Not all secured cards report to the credit bureaus, so be sure to choose one that does. Otherwise, you won’t build credit.
How much should I spend on a $200 limit?
If your limit is $200, don’t charge more than $50 or $60. You might want to set a small bill to be paid automatically with your card, and then set your card to be paid off automatically from your bank account. That way you get the positive payment history without any debt.
Limiting your use of the card is the smart thing to do. Spending modestly and paying off the balance in full will help you build solid credit, which will open up doors in the future. When it comes time to buy a car or a home, having good credit can improve your chances of approval and lower your costs. Knowing that you can access credit on good terms can provide you with peace of mind as you plan your financial future.