Regardless of how bad your credit is, there is almost always a path to move things in a better direction. Building a positive credit history can take time, but it is certainly possible with responsible credit behavior and some patience. Simply avoiding the behaviors that cause bad credit can go a long way. Other things you can do to recover from bad credit include:  Review your credit report: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com for a free credit report. Spend some time reviewing your report to see if there is any incorrect information or fraudulent activity. If there is, these mistakes can be corrected by contacting the lender or card issuers. The positive impact on your credit score should show up quickly. Build credit: If you can’t get a regular credit card look into a secured credit card. If you demonstrate that you can pay your bill on time for a prolonged duration, the issuer may upgrade you to a regular card and return your security deposit.  Use credit responsibly: Once you have a credit card, you can begin repairing your credit score but using the card, keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30%, and always paying your bill on time (and in full, if possible).