Hi Brandon,

I hope you see this. I'm surprised no one has mentioned this: simply ask your mom to place your name on her AMEX account by having her request a second card (you're already using her account anyway, so this really shouldn't be a problem). However, if she feels a littler leery about giving you your own card then she can always request to AMEX to put a cap on your spending limit or ask AMEX if you ever make a purchase to contact her or she could just keep the card and give it to you when she wants to, much like what she's doing right now.

Mind you, everything that you mom has done on her AMEX history will be placed on your credit, too. So, hopefully, it's all good.

All the best.

Thanks for all of your responses! I've read a bunch of articles about attaining credit, but none of it really seems relevant because of the way the economy/credit card companies are now. I'll try talking to out local credit union and see what they say.

I've read on this site as well as a few others than secured credit cards don't look very good on a credit report so I was trying to avoid on. Is this still the case with the economy how it is?

I would start by visiting a local credit union in person. Ask to speak to a loan officer. Explain your good track record using your parent's credit, and your desire to establish a strong credit profile. Stress that you'd be willing to start with a small limit, provided that the account is in your own name, it's unsecured, and it will grow with you as you demonstrate responsible use of the credit line.

It might take a time or two to get what you are looking for, but persistence should pay off here. Good luck!

You can also get open a savings account and get a secured credit card with a limit equalt to the amount in your savings.

Hey Bzzzzzzzauch,

When I was your age credit card companies were sending offers to students! I was your age, like, 2 years ago. Haha. Sorry, not funny.

Anyway, I just searched 'build credit' on filife and found these articles.
http://www.filife.com/stories/simple-ways-to-build-up-credit
http://www.filife.com/stories/rent-your-way-to-good-credit

The last two paragraphs in the first article are particularly relevant. The second article is relevant only if you're thinking of living off campus with some friends (which I highly recommend) and signing a lease. Make sure you get that lease in your name!

Anyway, the short of the long of it is this; now-a-days people actually have to build credit. The days of free credit are no longer.