Credit scores — they’re like report cards for grown-ups. It’s a three-digit “grade” you get on a scale that ranges from 300 to 850. Your score indicates your creditworthiness to potential lenders, banks, landlords, insurance companies, and even to some employers, for instance. I’m sure you know that the higher your score the better.

This list of popular secured credit cards should be a valuable resource for all of you. Going forward, when I review a secured credit card, I’ll rank it and add it to this list so we have a “master list” of secured credit cards.

Credit card perks can be very useful and with one or two good cards — you could be enjoying free airline flights, free hotels stays and more.

Understand that a 600 credit score will not bring you reasonable mortgage offers. While you may have an option or two, you will not find a choice that mirrors the home loan rates you read about. You might find a lender willing to offer you a mortgage if you can strongly defend the circumstances that caused your depressed credit score. Your best option, in these circumstances, is an FHA loan.

With an American Express Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card you will get $150 back after you spend $1,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months and you will receive $150 back in the form of a statement credit.