Thursday, March 11, 2010

Don't feel bad: you're far from the only person on the planet searching for unsecured bad credit credit cards. I've been there myself, and I can tell you, the search isn't easy -- but if you're trying to turn your life around, you need a good credit card to help. Unfortunately, the credit card industry really likes to punish people for past mistakes, and that means you're looking at secured credit cards -- if you're lucky.

Sometimes it seems like there aren't any unsecured bad credit credit cards available, but that's not true. They're just hard to find -- and once you do find them, you have to anticipate making a few sacrifices because of your credit rating.

Starting your search

The best way to start your search is by improving your credit rating, even if it's just by a bit. To begin, learn everything you can about credit cards and debt management. Credit Card Whiz Kid is a fantastic place to start.

Second, if you already carry some debt and can manage without a credit card for another month or two, hold off. Make absolutely certain that you're making payments on time and in the correct amounts. Even one or two months of this can jump your credit score a few points, and that can make a big difference when it comes to credit cards.

If this isn't possible, then the place to begin your search is your local bank (always assuming, of course, that you don't have a massive debt there with tons of late payments). Because your local bank can deal with you in person, they are more likely to extend unsecured bad credit credit cards than a faceless company who has no prior relationship with you.

Another good place to start looking? The Internet. The miracles of technology mean that it's easy to compare and contrast credit cards online, and many sites tell you exactly what sort of credit rating you need to apply for each card. Don't waste your time applying for cards out of your range. They aren't going to somehow miss your rating, and every application puts a small black mark on your credit score.

It's not always easy, but if you're persistent and put in the effort, there are unsecured bad credit credit cards out there!