Everything starts at some point. So what credit score do you start with? Is it zero? Is it in the middle? Or it depends on some aspect of your finances?

As it is extra important for your adult life to keep a good or excellent credit score, let’s see where you start off so you can build it right from day one.

If the credit score is a number, it probably starts at zero, right? Wrong! This three-digits-number does not go as down as zero.

Credit scores start at 300. So, if you have never used a credit card or applied for a loan, this is where your score starts.

But it is not hard to increase your credit score if you start it correctly. Avoid making mistakes; you’ll only have positive reports to grow your credit.

To start your credit history, you’ll need a credit line. And as you must be at least 18 years old to apply for one.

And as you don’t have any credit history to prove your creditworthiness, there is not a large variety of financial products available for you.

However, the sooner you start building credit, the better!

As we mentioned, there are ways to start building credit when you still have no credit score.

We’ll show you two of the best options. You will start with a 300 credit score and can improve it with one of the following.

Most people will start building a credit score with one of these cards. That is because you do not need a credit score to get one.

The eligibility requirements are being at least 18 years old, having a bank account, and making a security deposit to act as collateral.

This security deposit will define your credit limit. Some cards establish a minimum amount, while others don’t. But it should be at least $200 to $300.

So, if you make a $300 security deposit, you’ll have a $300 credit limit. And if you fail to pay your credit card balance, this deposit will be used to cover your debt.

This security deposit is refundable as long as you pay all of your credit card balance. 

Another way to start your credit score is to apply for a student credit card. But as the name says, you must be a student to get one of these.

Student credit cards do not require a security deposit. They also have no minimum credit score, as most students still have none.

Most student credit cards charge no annual fee. some will even offer rewards programs, like cash back or points to redeem for gifts and other benefits.

If you use your credit card responsibly from the beginning, you can reach a 600 score in just a few months.

With no late payments or debts, you will have only positive reports from your credit card issuer. you’ll start your financial life on the right foot.

However, some factors demand more time to build. In fact, one of these factors is time itself.

The length of your credit history composes 15% of your credit score.

And to reach the very desired 800 credit score, you’ll have to put a lot of effort into your finances.

Now that you know what credit score you start with, you can already think about improving it. It is never too soon to think about your finances!

And you’ll see that credit scores are not rocket engineering. Follow these tips, and you’ll manage credit like a pro

This is the number one rule to start building and keeping a good credit score: never miss a payment.

While some credit issuers will give you a few weeks or even a month to pay your bill, some can immediately report your late payment to credit bureaus.

And every time a late payment hits your credit reports, it will damage your credit score a little bit.

Let’s say you got a $300 credit limit on your student credit card – because you can’t expect to have a huge credit limit right from the start, right?

To start building a credit score fast, avoid using the full $300 limit. Instead, try using only half of it. This will keep your credit usage ratio low.

And if you need to use more credit, you must pay your credit card balance and use it from zero again.

That’s possible because credit cards are a form of revolving credit. It stays available as long as you pay your balance.

Every time you apply for a new credit card, you damage your score. This also happens when you close an account.

So once you’re approved for a credit card, keep your account open for as long as possible. Look for a card with no fees to avoid paying too much for it.

And if it’s a student credit card, try to upgrade it to a regular one once you graduate to keep the same credit line.

Up next, keep improving your credit score knowledge. Read on and find out if a 650 credit score is good! Let’s go!