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NetFirst Platinum Card
NetFirst Platinum Card
- 0%* Regular Purchase APR
At a Glance
The NetFirst Platinum Card is a retail merchandise card from Horizon Card Services. The card features a 0% APR on purchases, an unsecured credit limit of $750*, and no credit checks or employment checks.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Instant Approval / $750 Credit Line!**
- No Employment or Credit Check
- Bad Credit, No Credit - OK
- Always 0.00% APR
- Fast Online Application
- *See Card for Details
- **Usable only at theHorizonOutlet.com
- Regular Purchase APR: 0%*
- Annual Fee: None*
- You have bad credit or no credit history
- You want a payment card for convenience that will not require a credit check or employment check
- You want additional benefits like roadside and legal assistance
Freedom Gold Card
Freedom Gold Card
- 0%* Regular Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Freedom Gold Card is a catalog and retail card from Horizon Card Financial Services. This card features a 0% APR, a credit limit of $750*, roadside assistance, discounts on prescription meds, and no credit or employment checks.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- $750 Unsecured Credit Line**
- Instant Approval*
- No Credit Check
- No Employment Check
- Fast Online Application
- Bad Credit - OK
- *See site for details
- **usable only at theHorizonOutlet.com
- Regular Purchase APR: 0%*
- You have poor or no credit history
- You want a payment card for convenience that will not require a credit check or employment check
- You're looking for additional benefits that come with a card offer, such as roadside and legal assistance
Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card
Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card
- 29.99% Regular Purchase APR
- 29.99% Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card is a credit card designed to help you build your credit score. The card from Applied Bank does not require good credit for approval and offers the perks and protections of a true Visa credit card.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Get pre-qualified in less than a minute
- A $300 unsecured credit line which can be used at grocery stores, gas stations, discount stores, ATMs and online
- A real Visa® credit card with automatic reporting to all three national credit bureaus
- No penalty rate. Your rate wo't go up even if you are late
- Access additional credit with on-time payments and responsible usage
- A true unsecured EMV enabled (chip) Visa Credit card
- Does not require perfect credit for approval
- Fixed APR and manageable monthly payments
- Regular Purchase APR: 29.99%
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99%
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: See website for details*
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $38
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $38
- You're looking to build your credit
- You want a card that regularly reports to all three major credit bureaus
- You don’t want to pay a security deposit for a secured card
Blaze Mastercard® Credit Card
Blaze Mastercard® Credit Card
- See Terms* Regular Purchase APR
- See Terms* Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Blaze Mastercard is an unsecured credit builder card from First Savings Bank. The card features a fixed-rate APR on purchases and cash advances, reasonable credit lines (with the chance at increases), and a $75 annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No hidden fees
- No security deposit required
- Convenient and easy to use
- Build credit with on-time payments
- *See Pricing & Terms details on the Blaze secure website
- Regular Purchase APR: See Terms*
- Cash Advance APR: See Terms*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: See Terms*
- Annual Fee: See Terms*
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: See Terms*
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: See Terms*
- You don’t want to pay a security deposit
- You have poor credit and want a fresh start
- You plan to repay your statement balance in full each month
- You're serious about repairing your credit score
SchoolsFirst FCU Share Secured Mastercard® Credit Card
SchoolsFirst FCU Share Secured Mastercard® Credit Card
- 13.90% Regular Purchase APR
- 13.90% Balance Transfer APR
- 13.90% Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The SchoolsFirst FCU Share-Secured Mastercard® Credit Card is a decent secured card that struggles due to its high refundable deposit requirements.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Establish or re-establish your credit history with this secured credit card
- Get a credit limit with a deposit between $500 and $5,000
- Get Mastercard Enhanced ID Theft Protection to monitor your identity
- Compatible with Apple Pay
- Regular Purchase APR: 13.90%
- Balance Transfer APR: 13.90%
- Cash Advance APR: 13.90%
- Penalty APR: 17.40%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: $25
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: $20
- Minimum Deposit Required: $500
- You want to rebuild a bad credit score
- You're new to credit
- You can afford to part with at least $500 while your account is open
- You do't want to pay an annual fee
America First Credit Union Visa Share Secured Credit Card
America First Credit Union Visa Share Secured Credit Card
- 10.5% variable based on the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 10.5% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 10.5% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The America First Credit Union Visa Share Secured Card is a quality secured credit card with no annual fee. The card, from America First Credit Union, features an excellent, fixed APR and basic Visa Classic credit card protections.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- Credit limits start from $500
- Low regular rates for purchases
- Travel emergency assistance included
- Regular Purchase APR: 10.5% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 10.5% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance APR: 10.5% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 1.5% of the amount of each cash advance
- Foreign Transaction Fee: Up to 1% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $35
- Minimum Deposit Required: $500
- You have bad credit or no credit history
- You're an America First member or live in Utah or select Nevada counties
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
- 35.90% (Fixed) Regular Purchase APR
- See website for details* Cash Advance APR
- See website for details* Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Surge Mastercard® can be an ideal pre-qualification option if you need to repair or continue building your less-than-perfect credit score. Though it bears annual and maintenance fees, it does, however, provide attractive perks for qualified cardholders.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Intro Purchase APR: See website for details*
- Regular Purchase APR: 35.90% (Fixed)
- Cash Advance APR: See website for details*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $75 - $125
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You have fair or poor credit and need to build or repair your credit ratings
- You prefer a pre-qualification card that will immediately inform you whether you would be approved prior to applying
- You don’t want a secured credit card or can’t afford a security deposit
- You want a card that reports activity to the three major credit bureaus
- You want the security of an optional credit protection program
Total Visa® Card
Total Visa® Card
- 35.99%* Regular Purchase APR
- 35.99%* Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
With the Total Visa® Card, you can begin to tackle your credit improvement goals no matter what your financial profile currently looks like. This Bank of Missouri card reports your activity to TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian for a threefold approach to credit improvement. Not only that, but you’ll also gain access to a credit limit of up to $500 with no deposit required, and no restrictions on where you can use the card.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- An initial credit limit Up To $500! (See terms*)
- Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments made to your Total Visa Credit Card.
- Checking account required.
- Free credit monitoring powered by TransUnion®
- Fast and easy application process.
- All credit types welcome to apply.
- *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details
- See Total Card Visa Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details
- Regular Purchase APR: 35.99%*
- Cash Advance APR: 35.99%*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10, or 3% of the amount of the Cash Advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: See Terms*
- You have a bad credit or no credit history
- You want a credit card that will report to all three major credit bureaus
- You don’t mind paying the startup and annual fees to improve your credit
- You already have a checking account to complete the application
- You want a choice of five unique card designs
- You want free access to your FICO Score every month
First Digital Mastercard®
First Digital Mastercard®
- 35.99%* Regular Purchase APR
- 35.99%* Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The First Digital Mastercard® is a sleek and simple card designed for rebuilding credit. With its chrome-like appearance and full Mastercard features, you’d never guess it was available for anything less than perfect credit. Yet that’s exactly what Synovus Bank (the credit card issuer) offers with this card: a speedy approval process for a $300 credit limit, to help you take your credit to the next level.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your First Digital Credit Card • Checking Account Required • $300 credit limit (subject to available credit) • Build up your credit history with a card that reports to all three major credit bureaus every month. • Perfect credit not required for approval; we may approve you when others won’t. • *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details • See Cash Back Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details
- Regular Purchase APR: 35.99%*
- Cash Advance APR: 35.99%*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10, or 3% of the amount of the Cash Advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $75 1st year, $48 after*
- Foreign Transaction Fee: See Terms*
- You have struggled to qualify for other lines of credit
- You need a credit-building card with quick and easy approval
- You don’t need to transfer or otherwise carry a balance
- You want the full benefits of a Mastercard
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®
- 35.90% (Fixed) Regular Purchase APR
- See website for details* Cash Advance APR
- See website for details* Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Reflex Mastercard® is one of many credit cards for bad credit or no credit score at all. The card charges a variable interest rate and has a lower-than-average line of credit. Despite its included fees and APR, this can be an ideal card for those looking to build up their credit.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Reflex Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Intro Purchase APR: See website for details*
- Regular Purchase APR: 35.90% (Fixed)
- Cash Advance APR: See website for details*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whchever is greater
- Annual Fee: $75 - $125
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You have poor credit or no credit and want to build up a positive credit history
- You don’t want a secured card or to pay an initial security deposit
- You would like the option of joining a credit protection program
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What is a Bad Credit Score?
According to statistics from Experian, one of the major credit bureaus, 16% of Americans suffer from a bad credit score. Bad credit causes serious financial harm, making it tough to get a mortgage, car loan, or the best credit cards.
But what is bad credit, and what causes it?
Bad credit refers to a low credit score resulting from a history of missed payments, late payments, bankruptcy, or other negative financial events. A bad or deep-subprime credit score may also indicate a limited credit history. This credit rating indicates to lenders that you may be a higher-risk borrower, which could lead to difficulty obtaining credit at favorable terms, such as loans, mortgages, or credit cards.
On the FICO Score scale, a bad credit score falls within the range of 300 to 579, while on the VantageScore scale, it ranges from 300 to 499.
How Can Bad Credit Impact Your Life?
Here are some ways bad credit can cause problems in your everyday life.
Renting an Apartment
One of the biggest impacts of a bad credit score is the difficulty in finding an apartment to rent. Renting a home or apartment typically involves a credit check, which helps landlords assess the risk posed by potential tenants. A bad credit score, including a history of late payments, can prevent you from securing a new place to live.
Insurance and Bills
Bad credit also makes it more challenging to pay bills and obtain insurance. Utility companies may be hesitant to accept you as a customer if you have a poor credit score, often requiring a deposit before providing services such as electricity, gas, or water.
Similarly, insurance companies consider your credit when determining your insurance premiums. Bad credit is associated with higher insurance costs, particularly with auto insurance, as insurers believe individuals with lower credit scores are more likely to file claims.
Employment
Statistics show up to 70% of employers conduct credit checks during hiring. Companies use these checks to evaluate potential hires’ responsibility levels. While bad credit doesn’t necessarily indicate unreliability, employers may view it as a red flag and choose another candidate instead.
Relationships
A bad credit score can indirectly create problems in your personal life. The inability to secure a mortgage, rent an apartment, or obtain a car loan can strain family and personal relationships. Constant calls from bill collectors or collection agencies can also cause issues at home.
What Causes Bad Credit?
Bad credit can result from any number of situations and circumstances. The most common cause of a poor credit score is a history of late or missed payments, which reflects poorly on your creditworthiness. Another cause is excessive debt, where your credit utilization ratio is high, indicating that you have borrowed a significant portion of your available credit. Additionally, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and collections can all contribute to bad credit. Understanding these factors is essential so you can effectively address them.
How to Improve Your Credit
Bad credit has serious ramifications in everyday life. Fortunately, there is something you can do – here are some of our top tips for improving your credit score:
| ① Check your credit score | The first thing you should do is check your credit score to see where you stand. You might already know your credit score is bad, but how far down on the scale, does it go? Knowing how fast you can improve your credit from “bad” to “fair” is crucial to making a financial plan of attack. |
| ② Get a credit card for subprime credit | Part of boosting your credit score is increasing your use of credit. For those with bad credit, this may seem counter-intuitive. Fortunately, there are many unsecured credit cards for poor credit and secured cards that can help you repair your credit score. |
| ③ Pay on time each month | As seen in the scoring models, payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score. Because payment history is so important, paying your credit card bill on time each month is essential to boosting sub-prime credit. Missed payments stay on a credit report for seven years. |
| ④ Keep your credit use low | Credit utilization is as important as paying on time. Credit utilization shows lenders how you use your credit. Those who keep their credit use below 30% can expect their score to improve, while those who use less than 10% can expect a much faster score rise. |
Tips for Managing and Paying Off Debt
Managing and paying off debt is crucial for improving your financial health. Start by creating a realistic budget that allocates funds toward debt repayment. To tackle your debts effectively, consider the snowball or avalanche method.
- Snowball method: Pay off your smallest debt first and then move on to the next, creating a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
- Avalanche method: Prioritize debts with the highest interest rates to save money on interest payments.
Whichever method you choose, allocate as much money as possible towards monthly debt repayment.
Credit Counseling and Debt Consolidation Options
If you find yourself overwhelmed by debt and unable to make progress independently, consider seeking professional help. Credit counseling agencies can provide guidance and support in managing your finances and developing a plan to pay off your debts. They can also negotiate with creditors on your behalf to establish new repayment terms.
Debt consolidation is another option worth exploring. This involves combining multiple debts into one loan or credit card with a lower interest rate, making it easier to manage your payments and save money.
Conclusion
Bad credit can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and strategies, you can rebuild your credit and move towards a brighter financial future. Understanding the causes of bad credit, checking your credit score and report regularly, and implementing practical steps to improve your credit will set you on the path to financial success. Remember, it takes time and discipline, but the effort is worth it.
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Sub-Prime & Secured Credit Cards
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