No Credit History? Your Step-by-Step Guide to Building Credit
Recurring Problem/Request Type: Users often feel lost when it comes with investing, especially when they encounter financial jargon or complex concepts. This confusion is clear in posts like:
- "How do I start investing with a small amount of money?"
- "ELI5: What are stocks, bonds, and ETFs?"
- "I'm scared to invest because I don't understand it. Where do I begin?"
- "What does 'diversification' actually mean for a beginner?"
- "Is it better to save or invest?"
- "Confused about choosing a brokerage account."
Content Idea: "Investing for Absolute Beginners: Your First Steps to Building Wealth"
Content Description: A straightforward guide that breaks down the basics of investing. It would cover:
- Why Invest? (The power of compounding, beating inflation, achieving long-term goals).
- Basic Investment Types Explained Simply:
- Stocks (owning a piece of a company)
- Bonds (lending money)
- ETFs & Mutual Funds (baskets of investments)
- Index Funds (tracking a market)
- Key Concepts (No Jargon):
- Risk vs. Reward (and understanding your own tolerance)
- Diversification (not putting all eggs in one basket)
- Long-term vs. Short-term investing
- How to Get Started (Practical Steps):
- Setting financial goals for investing.
- How much you might consider investing.
- Choosing a beginner-friendly brokerage platform.
- The process of making your first investment.
- Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid.
- Where to Find Reliable Information (and what to be wary of).
Why this is a good idea (potential for virality/high utility):
- Addresses a Huge Knowledge Gap: Many people know they should invest but are paralyzed by not knowing how.
- High Search Volume: Terms like "how to start investing," "beginner investing," and "what are stocks" are always popular.
- Evergreen Content: The fundamental principles of investing for beginners remain relatively stable.
- Empowerment: Provides actionable steps and builds confidence, which is highly valuable to users.
- Broad Appeal: While it seems targeted, many people across different age groups and income levels are beginners in investing.
Target Audience:
- Young adults/Recent graduates: Starting their careers and looking to build long-term wealth.
- Individuals with savings: Those who have some savings but have it sitting in low-interest bank accounts and are curious about growth.
- People intimidated by finance: Those who find financial topics complex or overwhelming.
- Anyone looking to improve their financial literacy regarding wealth creation beyond basic savings.
- Parents wanting to teach their older children about investing.
Origin Reddit Post
r/personalfinance
“You have insufficient credit history.” - for obtaining major credit card
Posted by u/Majestic_Spring_6518•06/01/2025
Note: Cross-posted in Over-60 and InOur70s
**“You have insufficient credit history” … How to remedy this??**
My life is fairly simple at this aged and disabled decade of life.
No car, sen
Top Comments
u/Majestic_Spring_6518
Bank debit card unfortunately does not build any credit history; it is simply in lieu of using checks on checking account. Also, unfortunately, debit bankcards cannot be used to secure auto r
u/bionicfeetgrl
I think there’s some credit building debit cards. Perhaps check into one of those.
u/Majestic_Spring_6518
Thank you, good thought.
u/WhenKittensATK
I had a joint Chase Sapphire card with my mom when I started college. When I went to Chase to get my solo card, they said I didn't have enough credit history and recommended Capital One. I en
u/Majestic_Spring_6518
One would indeed think that paying rent, utilities, phone, insurances, etc. would serve to build one’s credit. However, the corporate rental management company says they cannot do so. 🤷♀️
u/inky_cap_mushroom
A secured card will suit your needs. Capital one and Discover are often recommended. Your bank or local credit union may also have one.
u/93195
Any kids?
If so, one simple solution is to have one of your children make you an authorized user on one of their accounts. They don’t even have to give you the card. That will give you an
u/jnwatson
Keep in mind you don't pay interest if you pay the card off every month.
u/bionicfeetgrl
Not your bank debit card. There’s specialized debit cards that work like credit cards & build your credit. That or straight up get a secured credit card. Either way it’s gonna take some t
u/Majestic_Spring_6518
Thank you. Good info.
u/FoxtrotSierraTango
If you have regular deposits to a bank, walk into the bank and tell them you want a credit card. The credit card side of the bank doesn't look at the checking account side when they make thei
u/Natural-Leopard-8939
One thing that can be done since you mentioned renting is to have the monthly rent payments reported to the credit bureaus. Over time, it'll quickly accumulate a good track record of timely r
u/inky_cap_mushroom
This is not completely accurate. Rent payments can be reported to credit bureaus, but that will not help OP with their lack of credit score. Neither of the credit scoring models (FICO and Van
u/Majestic_Spring_6518
Thank you. Did this. All banks here are small, small rural town.
u/CIDR-ClassB
Another person posted the relevant link to the wiki.
If I were in your situation, my personal choice would be a Secured (prepaid) credit card. That’s the primary way to build credit when yo
u/Majestic_Spring_6518
Yes, unfortunately it will require quite some time to build credit history.
u/Slumdragon
>**“You have insufficient credit history”**
The big banks all seem to require some sort of credit history now before they'll approve you for their mainstream prime credit cards. I assume
u/DeluxeXL
[Credit building wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/credit_building).
u/inky_cap_mushroom
I’m sorry the teller recommended the single predatory product that capital one offers. Glad you were able to upgrade it quickly though!
u/Majestic_Spring_6518
Thank you. Good info.
u/Majestic_Spring_6518
Thank you. Good info. 👍
u/tanbrit
Had to start from utter scratch moving to the US, get any sort of credit and your mail will be filled with offers
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