How to Raise Your Credit Score Using Credit Builders Like Kickoff and Self
If you’re looking to build or improve your credit score, credit builders like Kickoff and Self are excellent tools to help you achieve your financial goals. Whether you’re starting fresh or rebuilding after some credit challenges, these products can help you establish a positive credit history safely and effectively.
What Are Credit Builders?
Credit builders are financial products designed specifically to help people build credit through responsible borrowing and repayment. Unlike traditional loans, credit builders often involve borrowing money that’s held in a secured account while you make payments — those payments get reported to the credit bureaus, helping you build your credit history.
Kickoff and Self: Two Popular Credit Builder Options
Kickoff
Kickoff is a credit builder that combines a small credit builder loan with a modern checking account and debit card. Here’s how it works:
- You open an account and receive a debit card.
- Kickoff places a credit builder loan amount in a locked savings account.
- You make monthly payments, which are reported to credit bureaus.
- When you finish paying, the funds are released to you.
- Meanwhile, you can use the Kickoff debit card to manage your money.
Self
Self offers a similar credit builder loan service with a simple, user-friendly experience:
- You choose your loan amount and term.
- Self places the loan money in a secured account.
- You make monthly payments that are reported to credit bureaus.
- After you complete payments, you receive the money.
Self also offers educational resources to help you improve your financial literacy.
How Credit Builders Help Your Credit Score
The key to credit building is payment history — making on-time payments consistently. Both Kickoff and Self report your payments to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), which is how your positive payment behavior translates into a higher credit score.
Tips to Maximize Your Credit Building Success
- Make all payments on time. Late payments can hurt more than help.
- Keep an eye on your credit reports. You can check your reports for free annually at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Be patient. Credit building is a marathon, not a sprint — it can take several months to see improvements.
- Avoid opening too many credit accounts at once. Focus on one or two credit builder loans/cards to start.
Final Thoughts
Credit builders like Kickoff and Self offer a practical and safe way to build credit, especially if you’re new to credit or recovering from financial setbacks. They combine financial education, credit reporting, and manageable payments to help you build a stronger credit profile — all while helping you develop good financial habits.
Ready to start? Check out Kickoff and Self to find the credit builder that fits your needs!