Credit is needed to do everything from renting a car to booking a hotel room. If you’re one of the 19.4 million Americans with no credit score, you’ll likely run into problems if you want to purchase a home or even rent an apartment. While it may take a few years, it’s never too late to start building or repairing your credit. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Apply for a secured credit card

Building your credit is somewhat of a Catch-22. You need a credit card to build credit history – and demonstrate that you’re able to pay off your debt on time – but you generally can’t get approved for one when you have no existing credit. It can get frustrating but there a secured credit card can help you get out of this cycle.

After you apply and are approved for a secured credit card, you’ll need to deposit money in your account that your lender will use as collateral. Since you have no credit you’re considered a high-risk borrower and companies need that security in case you default. In most cases, for example, if you deposit $100 you will get a $100 credit limit.

The charges you make on your card will not come out of the $100 you originally deposited so you’ll still need to make timely monthly payments. As long as you stay on top of your payments, once you upgrade to an unsecured card or close your account, you get back your deposited cash.

The key factor for this to work in your favor is to make sure the secured credit card you’re applying for reports your activity to all three credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

For some good options, check out NerdWallet’s list of best secured credit cards for 2016.

Become an authorized user

Becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card might be one of the easiest ways to build credit. If you have a close relative, like your mom or dad, with a good credit score, ask if they could add you as an authorized user to their account. Without having to actually do anything yourself, all activity on the card will be reported to your credit score.

But before taking this step, make sure you’re selective with who you ask. This method can easily backfire on you if there are any late payments made on the account. Another option is to ask if you can use the credit card yourself. As an authorized user you have the same rights as the original borrower – including the ability to make purchases and payments. Remember, good or bad, all activity made on the credit card will be reported to your credit score.

Report your rent

This wasn’t always the case, but as of 2010 when Experian acquired RentBureau, your rental payment history can now be factored into your credit score. There are now several companies that work with Experian to report your payments but you have to sign up first.

Some, like RentTrack, report your payments to all three credit bureaus and can apply 24 months of back payments to your credit history. But if your landlord isn’t registered for the service, the fees to use something like RentTrack falls on you. Visit the Experian RentBureau site for advice on which service to pick.

Open a store credit card

Some may advise against opening a store credit card: these cards typically have high annual percentage rates (APR). But when trying to build your credit, a store card may be your saving grace.

Two good things about store credit cards: first, you don’t need as high a credit score to to qualify for one as you would an unsecured card, and many retailers offer special perks when you open a card, including discounts or signup bonuses.

If you really want to build your credit in a short amount of time, opening up more than one store card will allow you to play around with your credit utilization ratio, the amount you borrowed compared to your available credit limit.

For example, if you open a card at Old Navy with a $100 spending limit and a card at Macy’s for another $100, your total available credit is $200. If you charge $30 on your Old Navy card and $30 on your Macy’s card, your utilization ratio is 30% because you are only using 30% of your $200 in available credit. Whereas if you just have an Old Navy card and charge $60, your utilization ratio is now 60%.

So the more cards you open — and use wisely — the more available credit you have and the lower your utilization ratio will be, assuming you don’t charge the maximum. Credit bureaus prefer 30% or lower.

Keep in mind that just because you have store cards doesn’t mean you should feel free to swipe away. If you max out your spending limits it will be harder to bring down your balance, which will then hit your credit score.

CardHub compiled a list of some of the most popular store cards with their APRs and other terms of agreement.

Whichever route you choose, play it smart. Your credit follows you everywhere and can even play a role in getting your next job. So do your research and always stay on top of your credit.

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