Secured credit cards

A secured card is a normal credit card backed by a deposit you put down, often $200. Your limit equals your deposit, so the bank takes no risk and approval does not depend on your score.

Credit unions are usually the cheapest place to get one. Look for no annual fee, confirm it reports to all three bureaus, and ask when the deposit is refunded. Good cards return it and convert to a regular card after 6 to 12 months.

Use it for one small recurring bill and pay the statement in full. The interest rate does not matter if you never carry a balance.