You could probably get a store credit card, like Target, and use it for essentials and paying it off every month. You may be able to get a ridiculous rate, poor/no credit type credit card from a regular card company. You could also see if you can find someone willing to co-sign a card or bank loan with you. Co-signer, then store card, then small car loan from the credit union is the order I originally used to build a credit history. Just be sure not to spend money on credit just to "use" the available credit. Only for essential purchases that you would have made with cash if the credit didn't exist.