Submitted by Paintrospection t3_zx5uae in personalfinance
The title about sums it up. The bitter truth is that I was a homeless, physically ill junkie from about 17 to 26. Then I was just homeless and sick but sober (thank you methadone clinic) till 28, and these last two years have been the first in my life having my own room. I'd like to lie and say that during my time as a scumbag I valiantly resisted the temptation of ruining my credit forever as I held out on the hope that I would someday get better.. But the reality was I was, thankfully, too stupid to figure it out.
So, here I am, turning 31 in January, and thanks to paying off an electric bicycle, TV stand and most of my TV at rent-a-center, my credit score is 651 now. I've never had a car and my license was suspended before i even ever applied for one thanks to unpaid fines that had nothing to do with driving (that's a whole other story) and I want that to change.. I feel like my life is just beginning, and building credit is a necessity that I frankly didn't previously believe I'd be alive long enough to need to utilize..
So, I guess that's a lot of words to say this: What kind of credit card should I get? If you were able to go back in time and tell yourself something useful about starting off with credit cards with what you've learned through your experiences, that's the kind of info I'm looking for. I know it's pathetic i don't know about this stuff at my age, but for once i want to go into something with the potential to significantly impact my life with at least a basic understanding/ a good starting poing.. Thanks for reading, and thank you in advance to those of you who reply. Here's my Relevant stats:
Credit score: 651 (credit karma) 590 (myfico)
Income: 13.75/hr
Hours worked a week: 32 minimum, 41 maximum
Location: US, Maine
Primary expenses: Rent ($525/m), Rent-a-center payments ($208/m), utilities ($100/m), phone ($45/m), and smokes ($40-$60/m)
Goal/purpose for credit: getting a car/paying off fines to go for my license
Outstanding fines: ≈$1,400
Edit: I'm probably going to get banned for sticking up for myself in the comments, so I just want to thank everyone who took the time and wasn't an ass to me for buying myself my first ever TV in the only way I could afford. Wasn't the advice I was asking for, but I guess that doesn't matter. Anyways, I've gotten my answer- I'm going to go see the credit unions near me and go for a secured credit card to start! Thanks again y'all, and take care 🍻