My credit is horrible, and Im trying to change it...need advice guys?

Question 1. Should I go with a secured credit card or an unsecured credit card with a start up fee (both will range around 200 to start)??





Question 2. Has anyone heard of tradelines or the piggyback system, if so, does this work and is it worth the money it cost to get one ( around 800 to 1000 per tradeline ).





and any other general advice and tips to boost my credit





Thanks for the helpMy credit is horrible, and Im trying to change it...need advice guys?
The first thing you need to do is clean up the mess already on your credit report by getting as many old, outdated and unverifiable items deleted. Then you should get a secured credit card - (National City has one that does not show secured on the credit reports so lenders dont know its your own money and they dont charge you outrageous fees for the card!) You have to call National City to get the application because it is not on-line.. NOTE: If you get a secured credit card, you can not pull the money out if you want it! You can use the card and pay the card down each month like a real credit card. If you pay late, it will report a late pay and it will bring your score down again...





TRADE-LINES do still work if you get the right card! Bank of America. AMEX and Citi still report Authorized Users everymonth. And as of LAST MONTH IT STILL BOOST CREDIT SCORES.. The change has not taken place and when it does, it will only effect one of the credit bureaus as a test for the first year!





Good luck in building your credit profile.





P.S. If you are a member of a credit union they usually have secured loans that can help your build your credit too.. but again, you have to make your payments on time every month and after 6 months to a year you will some a difference.My credit is horrible, and Im trying to change it...need advice guys?
you know, i wasn't going to answer but i after reading others, i will.





definatley secured b/c then you'll atleast have the money you spend as 'credit' instead of just gone...





and with regards to the 2nd post about being an authorized user, i am an authorized user on a few accounts, and they are both reflected positively on my credit report (just checked it two days ago.)








and definately stay away from credit offers like the one above me.
Piggybacking won't work anymore. The credit bureaus changed the rules. Authorized user accounts are not longer calculated in your credit score.








Get a secured card. A $200 start up fee card sounds like a rip off. Why throw away the money. At least you can get the deposit back on a secured card.





Use the secured card and pay if off in full every month. After 6 months to a year, you should be able to get a regular credit card. Also use this card and pay it in full every month.





After about 24 months of consistent, on time payments, your score should start to improve.





You could also work on settling derogatory items on your credit report. Start with the newest and work back to the oldest. Try to get delete for payment (that will help your score). The older the debt, the more likely they will accept a smaller settlement. Lump sum gets the best deals. Payment plans should be short term. Get any settlement agreement in writing and don't give them direct access to your bank account.





Paying off the old stuff won't help your score (unless you get a delete for pay) but paid old debt looks better than unpaid. Creditors look at your whole credit report, not just the score.
I would suggest a secured credit card. This way you will be able to use the deposit if the need should arise.





Tradeline validation is usually for businesses.