Many young adults apply for student and auto loans only to get denied because of low credit score. Some of them have no idea how to build credit or how to start on the right path. That is usually when the parents come in. Some parents show their children how to build credit, some build it for them, and some tell their children to never build or worry about credit at all…..only to end up co-signing for them later because of it. I assume since you are reading this, you are far from the latter. Let’s get started.
1. Add Them To Your Credit Card As Authorized Users
Adding your child to your credit card as an authorized user is the easiest way to help your child build credit. What makes this process so simple is that most credit card companies offer this as a free service up to a certain amount of Authorized Users. First, an Authorized User is someone that is added to an account with limited access and adding an additional card is optional. Keep in mind that when the bill comes every month, the payment history, balance, limit, and utilization will show on the primary and authorized users credit report. The beauty of this feature is that the authorized user score increases even without them having to do anything to the account. Be sure to check with your credit card company to find out more about the terms associated with your card.
Click Here To Apply For Credit Cards That Allow Authorized Users.
2. Add Them To Your Auto Loan (Reverse Co-Signing)
Normally when a young adult is looking for a car, they go to a dealership with their parents in hopes that they will co-sign for them. Once the young adult is denied the loan, the parent usually steps in and saves the day by becoming a Joint Applicant on the loan. This is called “Co-Signing.”
With “Reverse Co-Signing” a few different steps take place. This will only work if the parent is in the market for a vehicle and has at least a 640 credit score or higher. Here’s how it works:
1. The parent wants a car for themselves.
2. The parent can get approved for the auto loan by themselves.
3. The parent adds the young adult to the loan even though the auto loan is for the parent.
4. The interest rate may increase as the joint applicant (the young adult) does not have any or light credit.
5. The parent makes all of the payments of course because the car is for the parent.
6. That payment history shows on the young adults’ credit report
7. Over time, those payments help create a healthy high credit score for the young adult
8. When the young adult wants their own auto loan, the banks will more than likely say yes as they currently show a healthy payment history of another auto loan.
9. The young adult is happy with their new car and a co-signer was not needed during the process!
3. Add Them To Your Personal Loan
If a parent is looking to get a personal loan, they can add their young adult children as joint applicants as well. This process may require more paperwork as a personal loan will go by income, W2’s, Bank Statements, and etc. In the long run, it will be well worth it and will add a healthy payment history to the young adult’s credit report.Click The Banner Below To Apply For A Personal Loan That Allows Young Adults As Joint Applicants.
4. Show Them How To Use A Credit Card Properly
Overall, the parent should know how to use a credit card properly but most importantly, to show their children and young adults how to do the same. This process can work for both retail credit cards and the normal bank-issued credit cards as well. For the article, I wrote on
How Credit Cards Work, click here.The Bottom Line
Now as a parent, you can see that there are multiple ways to help your young adults build a high and strong credit score. I have seen all of these ways work in the best favor possible for the parent and young adult. There have been many cases in which I have seen scores as high as 760 and the young adult had no idea about their credit score being so high or how it got there in the first place.
Calvin Russell Jr is a Certified FICO Professional and the CEO & Founder of Simply Professional Credit Consultation. SP Credit Consultation has helped hundreds of people increase their credit scores, qualify for homes, cars, and lower interest rates with their personal, Step-By-Step Action Plans. Contact us today to learn more or email us at info@gosimplypro.com.
