If you’re trying to build credit from scratch — or you have a little credit and want to raise your score — this is for you.

I’m Jen. I’ve been a mortgage lender for close to 19 years, and I’m going to be honest with you:
All I do is look at credit reports. That’s it. Every day. For almost two decades.

And here’s the truth most people don’t hear enough:

👉 Building good credit is not hard.
👉 But it’s very easy to do it the wrong way.

Especially with credit cards.

So let’s walk through how to build credit the right way — without ending up buried in debt, stressed out, or stuck paying ridiculous interest.

Do You Actually Need Credit?

Short answer: yes.

There are financial gurus who say things like, “The best credit score is no credit score.” And look — I understand the philosophy.

But as a mortgage lender, here’s the reality:

• You can buy a house with no credit

• But you will usually pay more in interest

• You’ll have fewer options

• And the process is harder than it needs to be

Most people:

• Can’t buy a house in cash

• Can’t buy a car in cash

• Might need to finance medical expenses at some point

Credit is a tool. And when it’s built correctly, it works for you instead of against you.

The Exact Advice I Gave My Son

When my son turned 18, this is exactly what I told him:

“You need one credit card.
You’ll put a little bit on it every month.
And you will pay it off in full — every single month.”

That’s it. That’s the method.

And no, you do not max it out.
You do not carry a balance.
And you definitely do not pay interest.

If someone told you that you’re supposed to max out a card and slowly pay it down to “build credit,” I have bad news:

That advice benefits credit card companies, not you.

The Golden Rule of Credit Cards

I want this to be crystal clear:

👉 Do not put anything on a credit card that you cannot pay off the same month.

The only exceptions?

• A true emergency (car repair, urgent vet bill, medical need)

Not emergencies:

• A vacation

• A sale

• A night out

• A sweater

• Steak dinners for your friends

If you want to earn points? Fine.
But only if the money is already sitting in your bank account.

Credit card debt is the enemy of long-term financial freedom. Full stop.

Why Paying Interest Is a Trap

I’m going to sound stern here — and that’s intentional.

I used to be the person who put everything on credit cards.
I was comfortable with debt.
And I paid a lot of interest.

Now?
I pay my cards off every month — sometimes twice a month.

Not for my credit score.
For accountability.

The freedom that comes from not carrying credit card debt is life-changing.

Autopay Is Not Enough (Yes, Really)

You should absolutely set up autopay. That’s the bare minimum.

But I do not want autopay to be the only thing standing between you and a late payment.

Why?

Because I have seen:

• Autopay glitch

• Partial payments

• Payments posting late

• Clients shocked that their credit took a hit

I personally log in to my account and pay my cards manually every month. Sometimes twice.

Late payments can absolutely destroy your score. I’ve seen:

• 800 credit scores drop to the low 600s from one late payment

If you don’t pay your bills on time, lenders will assume you won’t pay them on time either.

When to Open a Second Credit Card

After about 6–12 months of responsible use with your first card, open a second one.

Same rules:

• Small purchase

• Pay it off immediately

• Autopay + manual checks

Why two cards?

Because some loan programs require multiple trade lines.

Long-term, three solid cards are usually plenty.
You do not need 10, 15, or 20 cards.

Avoid Store Credit Cards

I strongly recommend staying away from store cards.

They exist for one reason:
👉 To make you spend more money.

Free shirts. Extra discounts. Special offers. “Friends and family” sales.

You don’t need the temptation.

Remember: we’re only spending what we can pay off that same month.

“Do I Need a Car Loan to Build Credit?” NO.

This myth needs to die.

You do not need a car loan to:

• Build credit

• Buy a house

• Get a good credit score

Please don’t take out a car loan just to help your credit.

If you need a car, fine — do a real budget.
But don’t create debt for a myth.

My son has no car loan.
He qualifies for a mortgage just fine.

What Cards Should You Start With?

If you have no credit history:

• Look for true starter cards

• Capital One and Discover often offer good options

No, you’re probably not getting a Platinum AmEx right away — and that’s okay.

Once you’ve proven for years that you:

• Pay on time

• Pay in full

• Don’t carry balances

Then — and only then — start playing the points game.

Yes, I love points.
Yes, I’ve stayed in hotels for free.

But I’ve never done that by carrying debt.

The “Too Many Credit Cards” Problem

I see this a lot:

• People with 20 cards

• Spreadsheets

• Mental exhaustion

Some people manage it. Most don’t.

If you need a spreadsheet to manage your credit cards, it might be time to simplify.

Three well-managed cards beats twenty chaotic ones every time.

Proof This Works

I recently worked with a young client:

• Stable job

• Saved responsibly

• Excellent credit

I told her how great her credit looked.

She smiled and said:

“Jen, I did your method.”

That moment?
Pure proud-mama energy.

This system works — when you follow it.

Final Thoughts: Credit Is a Tool, Not a Lifestyle

Credit cards are:

• A tool to build credit

• A tool for emergencies

• A tool for points if you’re disciplined

They are not:

• Free money

• A lifestyle

• A solution to overspending

Good credit is often the first step toward buying a house.

If you’re starting from scratch, start the right way.

Final Thoughts

If you want to understand where you stand, build a plan, or make sure you’re setting yourself up correctly, my team and I are happy to help.

We don’t charge for planning calls, and we don’t pressure you. We’ll answer your questions and help you map out the next steps that actually make sense.

Talk to My Team

Call 786-933-2077

Book a Planning Call

https://calendly.com/jennifer-beeston 

Learn More

https://zerostressmortgage.com