 TITLE: How to Get Credit for the First Time CONTENT: Become an Authorized User\n-------------------------\nIf you have family members who are responsible credit users with good credit scores, getting added to one of their credit card accounts is a good way to start building credit. Some parents choose to add their teenage or college age children as an authorized user on their credit cards to give them a head start before they can get a card of their own.\nTo get the most benefit from being an authorized user, see if you can be added to an account that has been open for a long time, that the primary cardholder always pays on time, and that has a low credit utilization ratio (meaning less than 30% of the total available credit on the card is being used).\nOnce you're an authorized user, you can make purchases on the card, and the account will appear on your credit report. You'll benefit from the good credit history the primary cardholder has already built up with that card. However, it works the other way too: If the primary cardholder is late with a payment, the account could be dropped from your credit file, which will negate any positive effect it was providing.\nBeing an authorized user is sort of like training wheels for having your own credit card. The primary cardholder is ultimately responsible for all charges on the card. However, you should always strive to pay for your own charges; this will help you develop good credit and budgeting habits (and stay in good standing with the primary user). END