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Credit for a teenager

Posted on 1/27/26 at 6:37 pm
Posted by IHATEBAMA
ROOSTERPOOT, AK
Member since Aug 2007
140 posts
Posted on 1/27/26 at 6:37 pm
What is the best way to start building credit for a 17yo turning 18 in a few months?

If it’s credit card which is the best.
Posted by PlanoPrivateer
Frisco, TX
Member since Jan 2004
2938 posts
Posted on 1/27/26 at 6:49 pm to
Google Visa student credit cards. Make sure they start with a very low credit limit like $500.00.
Posted by TorchtheFlyingTiger
1st coast
Member since Jan 2008
2986 posts
Posted on 1/27/26 at 7:09 pm to
I added mine to oldest card to build their history. This reminds me I need to add youngest when she hits 13.

Also got one of them a Step banking account that builds credit. Instead of debit card they issue a secured credit card that auto debits from account no payment needed. For some reason ran into issues setting up for oldest and opened brokerage with debit card instead. Probably need to reattack Step setup.

STEP.com/buildcredit
This post was edited on 1/27/26 at 7:10 pm
Posted by jefforize
Member since Feb 2008
45790 posts
Posted on 1/27/26 at 7:28 pm to
Getting a Secured CC with First Progress when they turn 18 works.
Posted by Cajun75
Member since Mar 2022
847 posts
Posted on 1/27/26 at 7:57 pm to
Got all three of mine a secure CC from Open Sky which was one of the very few I could find that would approve them with no credit, even with a secured deposit.
Posted by masoncj
Atlanta
Member since Jun 2023
618 posts
Posted on 1/27/26 at 9:46 pm to
When my oldest left and went to Auburn two years ago I co-signed a bank credit card. She has a monthly allowance for living expenses that I pay off each month. I have complete visibility to all charges and the credit limit is only $2500

Once she graduates I am removing myself from the card and she is on her own to payoff whatever she charges
Posted by Lawyered
The Sip
Member since Oct 2016
37799 posts
Posted on 1/27/26 at 9:54 pm to
Get a discover card with no fee and a maybe $1,000 limit and put him on it

It’s a really good thing to do as it helps later in life. And also teaches some responsibility to not run up debt
Posted by H2O Tiger
Delta Sky Club
Member since May 2021
7924 posts
Posted on 1/27/26 at 10:07 pm to
My parents bought me my dorm room TV using a "credit card" from BestBuy. 0% interest and I never saw the card. They paid it off and put it in my name. After that I got the Discover It card while in college and still have it to this day (oldest credit account).

May not be the best way but it was an easy way for me to build credit.
Posted by Hangit
The Green Swamp
Member since Aug 2014
45968 posts
Posted on 1/28/26 at 5:53 am to
Mine got a Truist card with the bill auto debited. She had a debit card already and agreed to use the credit card just to buy gas for her car. My wife had access to her acct. online and would put cash in it, weekly, to cover the credit card, groceries, etc. while she was in school. She graduated with a score in the 820's.
Posted by Carson123987
Middle Court at the Rec
Member since Jul 2011
67881 posts
Posted on 1/28/26 at 7:54 am to
Get them an actual card, not just AU on one of yours
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