If you do a lot of shopping and you want to build up your credit at the same time, one of the easiest ways to do both at the same time is to apply for easy department store credit cards.

These cards have a lot of advantages for people who need to improve credit, are in the market for their very first credit card or those who simple love to shop and want to earn rewards and incentives for being a loyal customer.  Whichever group you fall into, a department store credit card is a great piece of plastic to have in your wallet.

So how do you choose which of these easy credit cards you need?  Well the best place to start is to make a list of what stores you shop at the most often.  If you are a handy man who loves to have a project, then perhaps a Home Depot credit card would suit you best.  If you are a woman who loves to buy clothes and shoes, then maybe a Macy’s, Sears or J.C. Penney credit card would be your first choice.

After you have made a list of all of the stores you shop at most often, do a little bit of research.  Look into the type of card that each store offers and what the interest rates are.  You may also want to read the terms of the card so you can be sure what kind of agreement you are entering into.

In order to ace the application process for most department store credit cards, you have to be at least 18 years of age, be employed and have decent credit.  Other than that, most stores are quite willing to offer credit to shoppers.

Another advantage to these types of credit cards is the added benefit of belonging to each store’s loyalty program.  In most cases, department store cardholders will be notified ahead of the general public about upcoming sales and special offers.  They may even offer discounts or rewards for using your new card.

Just be careful not to spend if you don’t need to.  These easy to get credit cards can be dangerous if they are abused.  Shop and spend wisely.

Getting yourself an easy approved credit card may seem like a great idea but sometimes these easy money credit cards come with a few drawbacks.  Here is what you need to know about the types of easy credit cards that are available to you as well as how to make sure you get approved.

Student Credit Cards

If you are a student then you are a prime target for companies looking to give out credit cards.  Some companies actually “prey” on students.  They know you are in need of easy money and they are more than happy to supply you with a card for your every need.

But while these credit cards are usually have very high approval rates, they usually also carry have a higher APR and annual fees.  If you are a student looking to get yourself a credit card, read the fine print and weigh all of your other options before you sign a contract.

Gas & Department Store Credit Cards

These cards also have higher than normal approval rates and usually have fewer approval requirements.  As long as you can show a source of income and have decent credit, then you can probably get yourself an easy department store credit card or a gas card on the first try.

The disadvantages to this are the restriction of where you can use your card.  For instance, if you apply and are approved for a Home Depot card, then you can only use your card while shopping at Home Depot.  If you do a great deal of shopping there, then this may be a good choice.

Carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of a department or gas credit card.  While they may be easy to get, your efforts may be better spent trying to get approved for a card you can use everywhere.

Secured Credit Cards

This is yet another option for those looking to get a credit card easily.  If you have less than stellar credit but have a healthy income, then a secured credit card is a viable option.

A secured credit card simply means that you are willing to make a deposit to the bank against the credit limit of the card.  For example, if you have $500 cash, you can give that to the bank as a secure deposit that the bank can use should you default on your monthly payment.  In exchange, the bank will give you a card with a $500 credit limit.

If you are a responsible card owner and make your payments on a regular basis, the bank may choose to return the deposit once you prove yourself to be reliable.

All of these options are good choices for those looking to get themselves an easy approved credit card.  Just be sure to read all of the conditions before you lock yourself into a contract you can’t get out of.