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Fortune
Fortune
Laura Gariepy

Don't have credit or need to do some rebuilding? A credit card could help.

Photo illustration of credit cards fanned out into an arch that start red on the left and slowly change to green on the right - a gray lever points to the green credit cards, the image mimics a credit score meter. (Credit: Photo illustration by Fortune; Original photo by Getty Images)

Whether you’re starting from zero or need to rebuild a credit history with a few bumps in the road, credit cards can be powerful tools. Not only can responsible credit card use demonstrate to lenders that you’re a good credit risk. You can also use credit cards to build financial habits that protect your credit for years to come. 

The key is choosing a credit card that fits your goals and credit profile. And from there, create an on-time usage and payment history to establish and strengthen your credit profile. 

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