Sites like iCreditSearch and The Future Card Visa and others have unsecured credit cards for people with bad credit or no credit. The key to establishing credit or to re establish credit is not to let potential creditors take advantage of you because you have not established credit yet.  The best way to establish credit is with low cost purchases.  This will ensure that you have the ability to pay off the bill.  If you have no credit history or have a bad credit history, anyone that gives you credit may charge you 21%.  The offers for 5% interest credit cards you get in the mail may not come to fruition for you once you fill out the application and mail it in.  You aren't in a position to be choosy.  We don't recommend using a department store card as a starting point to establish credit because they charge 19-22% interest.  Always verify the interest rate of any card you sign up to first. Gas cards are just as bad, but as long as you only use them to buy gas and pay them in full (typically $60 per month) when the bill comes, you won't pay any interest. This will help you establish credit from the ground up, while at the same time getting you in the habit of paying all your credit cards in full when they arrive.  The Future Card Visa has no application fee, it's free to apply.

Part of maintaining good credit is knowing what your credit score is, so make sure you get your credit score.

Now is the time to get your credit report
Don't put it off until later, you'll be sorry.  Do it now before you even finish reading this page, so you can find out what your score is, and begin your first steps to improve it.  It takes 90 to 180 days to get issues with your credit history resolved and make a significant difference in your credit score. 

Before you do anything to establish your credit be sure to open a checking account.  You will need a checking account to pay your bills and it is a good way to show that you are financially responsible by not overdrawing your account.

Family:  Your own family may be able to help you establish credit.  Use family money as a down payment on a loan and finance the rest yourself.  Since you will be paying a large down payment it will increase your chances of getting a first loan.

Sites That Help You Establish Credit:

iCreditSearch is a credit search that finds a credit card for people with bad credit. Instead of applying to different credit cards, getting turned down, and having your credit ruined even more, try iCreditSearch.  Just answer a few simple common questions, and they list all the credit card banks who are guaranteed to issue unsecured credit cards to people with bad credit.  It's a great way to get a credit card for people with bad credit.  It's like pre-qualifying, for a credit card WITHOUT the credit check.

To establish credit use an unsecured credit card like The Future Card Visa. It's also a credit card for people with bad credit. If you have not defaulted in the last 6 months, and have been

How To Establish Credit

living and working at the same place for 6 months, they'll give you a non-secured Visa Card or Master Card. Get Pre-Qualified for a no security deposit Credit card that is EASY to get. It's a Great Way to Establish or Reestablish Your Credit. Their approval rate is among the highest in the industry.  They have $250-$1000 credit limits.  The application is free.

SCAM ALERT:
If you have not established credit and are buying a car make sure to read this.  Many dealerships have first time buyer programs or graduating college senior programs subsidized by the car manufacturer.  Some dealers may claim they have a first time buyer program, when there really is not one and they are just charging you 18% APR.  If you have a good credit card history, there is no reason to pay 18%.  They are feeding off your lack of knowledge and fear of rejection.  As a first time buyer you have all the negotiating rights that I do, and don't let any salesman tell you otherwise.  Just keep shopping for a dealer who is willing to work with you.  You may not get the car you wanted, but at least you won't be paying double the interest.  Also, first time buyers get caught up in the euphoria of buying a new car, and because they are naive, are easily persuaded by salespeople to buy all the extras, or even pay full MSRP.  Welcome to life in the real world.  Read more about buying cars at the useful consumer advocate site CarBuyingTips.com