If you are looking for an easy credit card approval, need to rebuild credit or simply like to shop, here are some of the easiest department store credit cards to apply for.

• WalMart
• Home Depot
• JC Penney
• Target
• Sears
• Lowe’s
• KMart
• Macy’s
• Disney Store
• Kohl’s
• many, many more

As you can see there are plenty of options if you are looking for easy department store credit cards to get.  Most retail stores have a credit card that you can apply for and the great news is they are quite easy to be approved for.

To be approved for easy department store credit cards, you need:

• to be at least 18 years of age
• have a job
• some stores require a utility bill to be presented in your name

If you meet all of these criteria, then you will more than likely be approved.  But there are a few negative things to remember when applying for this type of card however.

Most department store credit cards carry a higher than normal rate of interest.  Some can climb as high as 30%!  This means you will pay quite a bit more for each purchase you make.

Another feature than shouldn’t be ignored is that some department store credit cards do not report to the major credit bureaus.  This means that even if you pay your bills on time each month, it won’t increase your credit score.

However, if you have decent credit and are applying for a department store card, they can offer some great advantages.  Some have cash back features and others have points or rewards that can be used toward extra purchases.

Another great advantage to having a department store card is that you normally become a “member” and are rewarded with special offers and promotions.  You will also be notified in advance of any upcoming sales or special events.

Before you apply for a department store credit card, be sure to read the fine print and be sure you agree with all of the terms and conditions.These cards can be a wonderful way to spend or they could cause you alot of credit trouble.

Even though mortgage rates these days are incredibly low, many people are missing the chance to take full advantage of it. Why? Because they don’t have an acceptable credit score for mortgages. So what kind of score do you need to get the mortgage you want?

That tiny little three-digit number means a whole lot to those who lend money. It shows them how credit worthy you are and until recently, a FICO score of 720 meant you could lock down great rates and terms for loans and mortgages.

Unfortunately, with the banks in crisis, lenders are looking for a credit score up around 740 before they are willing to offer great rates. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you’re score is slightly lower. It just means your rates will be higher. Unless you have a score below 580, you should still be able to get the loan or mortgage you need.

In the United States, the average credit score is a healthy 720 according to the company that developed the FICO scale. That means 50 percent of people have a score higher than 720 and the other 50 percent score lower. The scale ranges from 300 (worst score) to 850 being the perfect score.

Having a decent credit score is important for more than just mortgages. It is used by insurance companies to determine your premiums, landlords, and some employers.

If you need to raise your credit score here are a few simple tips to remember:

Keep an eye on your credit report – errors on your report can damage your credit.

Apply for a credit card and use it wisely – pay off the balance and avoid interest charges.

Set up your accounts for automatic payment – keeps payments on time every month.

Keep your finances out of collections – this can be devastating for credit score.

Don’t use all your available credit – lenders like to see a difference between what you have access to and what you use.

Use less than 30 percent of your available credit – under 10 percent is even better!

Follow these tips for lowering your score and you can get it above 720 in no time!