 TITLE: No Credit Card? Here Are Other Ways to Build Your Credit CONTENT: Before you make strides to improve your credit, first take a moment to check your credit report, which you can do for free through Experian. This will let you know where you stand, which not only makes it easy to track your progress, but will help inform what options will (or won't) be available to you. Ready to get started? Let's go.\n### 1\\. Pay Your Bills on Time\nDo you have a student loan or an auto loan? Or maybe some medical debt or a personal loan? Now is the time to be zealous about paying every bill you have by the due date. Each payment on an installment loan is reported on your credit report. While on-time payments can give your score a nudge in the right direction, late or missed payments can cause it to nosedive. If you tend to make late payments due to forgetfulness, set up reminders on your calendar or schedule automatic payments with your lender or creditor.\n### 2\\. Become an Authorized User\nIf you don't have a credit card because you can't qualify for one yet, consider becoming an authorized user on the account of a loved one. You get a card and can make charges on the account, but the owner is ultimately responsible for the account and repayment. The card's activity will likely be reported on your credit profile in addition to theirs, so if the account is used responsibly by both of you, it can help build your credit.\nBefore you do this, it's important to remember the risks. If you use the card irresponsibly, you could tank that person's credit, as well as your own, and jeopardize a relationship. If they make mistakes like missing payments, it can hurt your credit.\nSo only go with this option if you trust the person and are sure you can use the account wisely. If there's not anyone you could do this with, consider getting a secured credit card, which is meant for those who need help building credit and requires a deposit to get started.\n### 3\\. Get a Credit-Builder Loan\nIf your credit report is \"thin\" (meaning you have few credit accounts) or credit score is bad, it might be impossible to qualify for a traditional installment loan. But some banks and credit unions offer credit-builder loans, which are unique financial accounts intended to help you establish positive credit history.\nThese aren't traditional loans. Instead, a bank or credit union puts a set amount of money into a special savings account—usually $300 to $1,000, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You will pay this amount back, in usually six to 24 months, and you can't access the funds until the amount is paid off. These payments are reported to the credit bureaus, which helps you establish credit, and once the loan is fully paid, you get all of the money back. Just be sure to make your payments on time to get the maximum benefit to your credit.\n### 4\\. Try Experian Boost™†\nWhile utility companies often check your credit when you first create an account, your monthly payments don't typically go on your credit report. This can be frustrating if you're diligent about paying your phone or electricity bill every month. But not anymore: Experian Boost offers a new way to make those payments count toward building your credit.\nWhen you sign up for Experian Boost, your phone and utility payments will be factored into your credit report. If you have a track record of on-time payments for these bills, you might receive an instant boost to your existing credit score. END