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Those with poor credit may find themselves shut out of most credit cards that have favorable terms. I'm Kristin Arnold with your Personal Finance Minute.

If you have poor credit or little credit history, there are a few options for establishing credit. First, secured credit cards are backed by an account with money deposited by the consumer, usually a minimum of 200 to 300 dollars.

This generally serves as a credit line. If the account is handled well, it will help the user build credit, but be sure it's reported to a credit bureau. Secured cards often charge annual fees, so look for a low-fee card.

Another type of card that can help you establish credit is a retail or gas card. Store cards offer upfront discounts on merchandise, and many offer ongoing discounts and perks. However, they tend to charge very high interest rates.

A third option is a prepaid card. These payment cards work like gift cards, with purchases deducted from funds loaded onto the card. Some prepaid cards offer a credit-building component for a fee, but they also have fees for opening and reloading the account.

For more credit tips, visit Bankrate.com. I'm Kristin Arnold.