Easy First Credit Source: Checking Overdraft Protection

This is a quickie tip that I've mentioned in passing before.

If you're young and credit-less, getting your first credit card may be difficult. One alternative is to get a line of credit at your bank. Usually this will be called something like "Overdraft Protection" or "Checking Plus". This is usually just a $500 or $1000 line of credit that is linked to your checking account; it should go unused, assuming that you manage your checkbook properly. But it should, in most cases, also go on your credit report as a revolving line of credit. The banks that I've had have put it on the credit report; some banks might not, so ask to be sure! If you've got a checking account in good standing, it should be pretty easy to get this.

Remember, Establish credit - now!