Get a secured credit card. You give the bank $1000, they give you a credit card for $1000. Then you use it to buy your groceries and pay it off IN FULL every single month. This will build your credit and the banks shouldnt turn you down because they're holding the $1000 you would owe if you stopped paying for it.

Also, getting a cellphone in your own name and paying that off each month will help your credit. Basically any monthly bill that is in your name will help your credit.

Good luck

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it"

I got credit when I was in college, but via a different route than some people. Some people can get a student credit card, but my mom had a different idea. We paid for college together, and could afford all of the tuition. My mom made me take out a loan to cover say, books, with some money left over to put towards college tuition. Because I took out a loan, I was able to get a credit card that way. The bank told me that it looked good, and actually helps a lot of students get credit cards.

If you're not in school or you don't plan on going to school, then have you tried the secured credit card route? I assume you have. They usually give them out like candy since you're using your own money, but in this economy, it doesn't seem like that's happening.

This may sound weird, but maybe your boyfriend or even mom or dad can co-sign for you, which may help? They would be responsible for your money mistakes if you make them, which is definitely not a safe idea, but if you're just looking to use a credit card on things you can pay cash for, then maybe it's not such a bad idea. I only use my credit card to pay bills, which I can pay just fine. I use less than half of my credit limit each month. That's the best policy for me. What else can you do? I really don't have any idea. My boyfriend had a connection sort of like yours did, so that is how he got his. My mom told me the first credit card she ever had was a store credit card. But I know they can be hard to get too, since my boyfriend had issues. Try that route, as well as gas credit cards, that may help to. But be careful how many you apply to each week, it can reflect badly on your score even if you don't actually have credit, so I hear. So apply to like 5 a day, and it only shows up as 1 time. But if you apply 1 a day or 5 days, it shows up as 5 times. Sorry I'm really of no help...

Start out slowly. Open a checking account if you haven't already, and get a VISA ATM card with it. Also, you can apply for a small line of credit to get things going. On my first account I had a $500 line of credit that was only tapped into if my checking account was empty. Small things like that can help.

However, you should check your credit score now and see what's there. Most young people end up over their heads with credit card debt. Not being able to get one may be a blessing in disguise.

Also, make sure you have not been the victim of identity theft. You're probably ok, but credit card fraud is at an all time high with the economy being what it is. Just double check.

I had the same issue. I _think_ you can get a card with a parent as a co-signer. Not sure if your parents would be willing to do that.

Get a checking account visa. Then a secured account with a low limit. Believe it or not you can build up credit that way. Slowly on.