Apply for a secured credit card or store credit card
A secured card or a store credit card are among the easiest to get. They generally have low application requirements, but in lieu of that, they’ll often have high APRs. Still, you can avoid paying anything extra by charging only what you can afford to pay off by the payment due date.
Ask a family member to add you to their credit card
Being added to someone’s credit card account requires a high level of trust on their part — they’ll need to trust that you’ll pay any charges you make.
Get a credit-builder loan
A less optimal choice is a credit builder loan, which is essentially a loan from yourself. You make payments toward the loan each month; once you’ve paid it off, your loan is refunded. Some lenders charge interest and fees, but they generally report payments to the credit bureaus. This is a safer way to build credit if you’re worried about collecting a large balance on a credit card.
How long does it take to build credit? Building credit isn’t something you can do quickly — indeed, it’s a process that’s achieved through steady, consistent positive financial actions over a period of time. You can expect to improve your credit to some extent within six months if you make good financial moves.
Your current credit score, debts and past financial history are factors that need to be considered. As an example, lowering your credit utilization ratio should have an impact relatively soon after paying down debt, but a bankruptcy will continue to affect your credit score for up to 10 years.