I want to build enough credit (from none) before the end of 2009 that I'll be able to get an apartment around $800 a month. I got a secured credit card, but hate that "I'll never have to pay this" feeling I get when I use it. What's the minimum I can get away with putting on that card while getting my apartment?

You don't need a credit card or credit score to get an apartment. They can look at things like job history, personal and professional references, etc. You can also save as much as possible, socking it into a money market account or savings account with at least 5% interest. Having the cash in hand if needed looks better than an ok credit score from someone.

For that matter, you don't even need a credit score to purchase a home -- go through a local bank or mortgage company that does physical underwriting.

Def. no need to have a credit card in order to rent or buy.

Good for you for planning ahead! Credit can affect all of the areas of our lives - where we live & work as well as the ability to borrow. Landlords, employers, and financial institutions all have the right to access our credit reports. Building credit does not happen overnight, and takes time. Once you have good credit, with ongoing diligence, it will serve you well.

Have you continued with the secured credit card? Although you do not need a credit card or credit score to get an apartment, it certainly helps to have good credit. To get good credit you have to show that you can responsibly use credit, and many landlords do look at credit reports. If you have not already done so, I suggest you get your credit reports well in advance of serious apartment hunting. (I suggest getting your credit score, too, after you have made sure your reports are correct).

A secured credit card can be a good way to help build (or rebuild) credit - but you would not want a secured card forever. For now, you want to make sure that the credit card company reports to the major credit bureaus and that you always pay on time - you want to build a good credit report. A secured card is not a card to make a mistake with - be very careful that you do not pay late or max out this card. Since secured cards usually carry a high interest rate, you want to make sure you pay the balance in full every month. I would also inquire if at some point this company will convert your account to an unsecured card. If they will not, after you have built some positive credit history, you should have more opportunities. If you do not know where to start, I would suggest starting with where you have your checking and savings accounts. The key is to build credit through on time payments and not build debt.

I will look forward to hearing how you are doing. I hope this information helps. I have some good resources on the links page of my website, too.

What I understood from your query that you want an apartment for rent that costs around $800.

But one thing I am not getting that why you need your credit card for rantal purpose.

You don't need a credit card or credit score for rental purpose.

I wouldnt use a credit card for building credit. i would use a savings account at your local bank and take a loan out on it.

I honestly would never recommend anyone use a credit card unless they were able and prepared to pay off the full balance each month.

This would allow you to build up a credit record, without building up debt you may have difficulty managing down the road.

Hope that helps.

Some landlords do check credit scores, especially if the apartment in question is in a nice building or complex. But I wouldn't worry too much about it. If they do check, they'd likely only reject you if you have really bad credit. If you have no credit I think you'll be OK.

this is what u need to do to build credit

To raise credit score
1. Always pay on time or ahead of time.
2. maintain low balances on credit cards
3.To boost your score: Don't charge anything for at least 60 days before applying for a loan
4. keep your total potential debt to earnings load low - If you have a card with a $15000 credit line, you may ask them to reduce it to something more realistic, like $5000.
5. You should have a recent history of both installment or term (Car or house loans) and revolving credit.
6.To boost your score: Don't close unused accounts when you transfer debt.
7.To boost your score: Consider opening another credit-card account or two, or taking out a car loan or small bank loan.

Personally I've been using a credit card for various things that I need anyway and just paying it off each month to build credit.