Building credit doesn’t have to be a complicated process, and with the right credit card and consistent responsible habits, anyone can build their way up to an excellent credit score.
— Ashley Parks
Ashley Parks is an editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com with expertise in building credit and repairing damaged credit quickly and responsibly. She has broad knowledge of credit card products, and she’s especially knowledgeable about subprime and student credit cards. During her time at Bankrate, Ashley has published stories with credit card advice for college students, international students, and first-generation credit card users. She also wrote a series on the best credit cards available to people with credit scores in the bad to fair range. Ashley is regularly featured in Bankrate video explainers, where she breaks down credit card concepts into understandable tips. Ashley is passionate about making credit card knowledge as accessible as possible.
Ashley graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU), earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing and Theatre. You can learn more about Ashley, her work and her artistic pursuits at her personal website, ashleyparks.com.
Ashley wants you to know
Ashley opened her first credit card when she was a sophomore in high school. She didn’t want a credit card at all, but her parents insisted that building credit early would be key to helping her achieve future goals, like getting her first apartment. Though she got the credit card in high school, she didn’t start using the card to its full potential until after she began her career covering credit cards at Bankrate. “I avoided using my credit card at all costs until I had the knowledge of how they actually worked…almost 7 years later. I missed out on some key perks, but I’m impressed with what we can get credit cards to do for us when we know how to use them responsibly.”
Building credit doesn’t have to be a complicated process, and with the right credit card and consistent responsible habits, anyone can build their way up to an excellent credit score.
— Ashley Parks
Ashley's Picks
3 MIN READ
Credit cards for a 500 credit score (or less)
A 500 credit score or lower doesn’t mean you’re out of the running for some competitive credit card options
8 MIN READ
How race impacts credit: the history and effect on lending practices
Anyone can build credit and policies now exist to combat lending discrimination.
8 MIN READ
How to choose the best student card for study abroad
Bankrate breaks down how to choose the best student card for your study abroad experience.
6 MIN READ
Rethinking credit: Tips for first-generation credit users
The Avant Credit Card is an unsecured credit card designed for someone with a fair or average credit score or a limited credit history. It requires no deposit and can help you build credit with responsible use, but doesn't offer many other benefits.
The BMO Cash Back Credit Card could offer a lot of everyday value, especially if you spend heavily on streaming and TV services. Read our full review for all this card's pros and cons.
With the Discover it® Balance Transfer card, you’ll receive a generous rewards structure, first-year cash back matching and a long introductory low-interest rate for balance transfers, but its short intro purchase APR doesn't suit its rewards edge.
The Ally Unlimited Cash Back Mastercard is a no-annual-fee, flat-rate cash back card that earns unlimited rewards at a rate of 2 percent on all purchases. Like most 2 percent cards, it’s a great choice [...]
The Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards could offer a predictable and transparent financing alternative for cardholders who struggle with managing credit card balances. By putting your balance into an installment plan, the card could help you minimize interest charges and keep your debt repayment efforts on track.
The My GM Rewards Card earns high-throttle rewards on GM purchases and everyday spending, but the card’s red tape and niche redemption options may limit its appeal, even to GM fans.
A credit score of 700 may not allow you to fill your wallet with high rewards credit cards named after precious metals and gems, but you’re well on your way if you keep building good credit habits.