As a interesting side note.. I mentioned that when I moved to the U.S. I got a secured credit card.. Well, just yesterday I got a letter from Bank of America telling me that my secured credit card had now been converted to a unsecured card and they are sending me my deposit BACK!!! Woo hoo.. nothing like a 500.00 bonus for Christmas!!

So again, secured cards from a reputable bank are an excellent way of building credit.. I had this card and used it for gas, small purchases but always paid it before the due date and I don't think I had one finance charge in a about a year and a half.