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No credit history? Here’s how to build one

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Saying ‘I want to improve my credit’ isn’t a strong enough goal to keep you on track to the credit you deserve,” says Dominique Brown, financial advisor and founder of the Your Finances Simplified Academy and YourFinancesSimplified.com. Create a plan for how you will use it and factor in a monthly spending plan based on your income to figure out how much money you’ll actually be able to put towards building good credit.

Published

7 years ago

January 9, 2020

Oakland Post

Remember to only take on what you can manage. Don’t take out the full loan amount if you don’t need it and make sure to pay on time so your credit isn’t negatively affected. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

Now is a good time to establish a good credit history. These accounts can help get you started.

According to a 2015 study by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, roughly one out of 10 American adults are “credit invisible,” meaning they don’t have a credit history with any of the major national credit bureaus (Equifax^®, Experian^®, or TransUnion^®). Because they don’t have a credit history or credit score, this may make it difficult to apply for a credit card, rent an apartment, sign up for cell phone service, or even get a job.

Setting up a credit history – and being in good standing – can take time, so here are some actions you can take to establish credit.

Utilities

Traditional lenders tend to look at a person’s credit score, but people with little to no credit history generally don’t have enough of a profile to even generate a score. A simple way to get your credit history going is by putting utility bills in your name, such as electricity, heat or rent. Making on time payments to your monthly bills can give lenders or anyone else looking into your credit something to consider when you apply for things like a loan or new apartment. Be sure to keep track of due dates and pay the whole balance each month when you can.

Merchant cards

If you frequently shop at a specific business that offers a card for purchases at that business, consider opening an account. For example, if you have a car, a gas credit card could be beneficial because they usually come with discounts, are easier to be approved for and can help you track how much you spend on gas each month. But, be careful when opening a gas card or department store card, as they often come with high interest rates, sometimes 20% or more. Consider sticking to one card until you get comfortable paying in full and on time to avoid the interest being added to your balance. Dominique Brown, financial advisor and founder of the Your Finances Simplified Academy and YourFinancesSimplified.com, has specific advice for department store cards: They should only be used “for credit building, not for credit [buildup].”

When deciding what store card to open, make sure to consider things like:

Interest rate – Is it so high that if you miss a payment, you’ll have a much larger payment to make the next month?
Reward point system – Is one offered so that you receive rewards to help save on future purchases?
How often you shop there – Is it enough to make the card worth it but not encourage you to spend more?

A secured credit card

A secured credit card is a good option if you have a limited credit history, and you can get one by putting up a deposit. You get the deposit back when you close the card, or at a point when your credit history is stronger. Keep track of what you buy with this card and if you feel ready, put repeat expenses on it like a utility bill. Turn the auto-pay function on so you don’t miss a payment and can continue working toward good credit.

A small loan

You can also consider taking out a small dollar loan which like a secured credit card can help build your credit if you make on time payments and pay the balance in full monthly. There are multiple lenders you could get this kind of loan from including:

Online lenders: Make sure to do research on these so you know they are trustworthy.
Credit unions: These typically offer loans between $200 to $1,000, but be sure to consider the interest rate that will be applied to a balance that carries over to a new month.
Banks: Some banks and financial institutions offer small loans and may offer low interest rates or discounts for existing customers.

With these different options it’s important to shop around and choose a loan that has helpful terms such as:

A low interest rate
Fixed monthly payments
A loan term between three to 12 months

Remember to only take on what you can manage. Don’t take out the full loan amount if you don’t need it and make sure to pay on time so your credit isn’t negatively affected.

Have a plan for using credit

Once you’ve identified the type of account you are interested in, “start with the end in mind and build your plan to make it happen,” says Brown. “Saying ‘I want to improve my credit’ isn’t a strong enough goal to keep you on track to the credit you deserve.” Create a plan for how you will use it and factor in a monthly spending plan based on your income to figure out how much money you’ll actually be able to put towards building good credit.

The bottom line is you need to use credit to build credit. Taking it on can be risky, so ask yourself honestly: Am I ready? If you are, opening one of these types of accounts can be a great first step. Remember to make on time payments every month and keep the balance as low as possible – in fact, strive to pay balance in full monthly. To learn more, check out tips from the online Hands on Banking® financial education program.

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.