Unpopular opinion: I avoided credit cards out of fear, but charging regular expenses like gas really improved my credit rating! | Credit Advice - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals
My score went from about 400 to 720 once I started doing the exact same thing. For years I thought all debt was bad debt and it really messed up my chances for a car loan. The fear is totally real, especially if you saw family struggle with bills. The trick is to pay it off the same day you charge the gas, so you never actually carry a balance. It feels scary but it honestly works.
For years I stayed clear of credit cards, convinced they led to trouble. Everyone around me warned about interest and debt traps. But reading about credit building made me try using one for daily costs. Now I charge things like gas and pay the bill right away. My credit rating has gone up over time since I began. It really helped me see credit in a new light.