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Having one parent or guardian stay at home to help with the household and the kids can be a huge benefit for families, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its downsides. Although it might be necessary for one parent or guardian to remain home to care for children, elderly relatives or pets, living on one income can be a challenge.
One challenge for those who stay at home is building credit. Historically, it has been difficult for non-working spouses or partners to maintain credit, mostly because they don’t have any income to qualify for their own credit cards and loans. But it doesn’t need to be a challenge. Plenty of cards for stay-at-home parents or guardians are available in all income brackets that are affordable, accessible and rewarding.
Comparing the best cards for stay-at-home parents or guardians
| Card name | APR (variable) | Annual fee | Recommended FICO score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Flex® | 20.49% – 29.24% Variable | $0 | 670 – 850 |
| Discover it® Cash Back | 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR | $0 | 670 – 850 |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 19.24% – 29.99% Variable | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | 670 – 850 |
| Capital One Platinum Credit Card | 29.99% (Variable) | $0 | 580 – 740 |
Best credit cards for stay-at-home parents or guardians
While it’s hard to say which credit card is best for all stay-at-home parents or guardians, there are some that offer more benefits and rewards than others. The cards below can help rack up rewards in common spending categories, like groceries and dining, and build credit at the same time.
While the cards we list are a good starting place, also make sure you check out and compare all the cash-back credit cards and rewards credit cards available on the market today.
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The Chase Freedom® Flex carries a fair welcome offer and boosted rewards in quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 percent). You’ll typically see grocery stores, gym memberships, wholesale clubs (like Costco and Sam’s Club) and hotels in Chase’s rotating calendar. However, you’ll want to review the current categories before you determine if this card is a good fit for you. You’ll also earn a decent rewards rate annually for dining and drugstore purchases, but if that’s all you’ll use the card for then there are better options.
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Pros
- This card balances ongoing rewards and rotating categories, offering exceptional earning potential to rewards enthusiasts.
- Its long introductory APR can help you stall interest charges on new purchases and any balances you transfer.
Cons
- You must enroll in the bonus categories every quarter, which can be disappointing if you forget to enroll before you make a large qualifying purchase.
- You’ll only earn this card’s highest rewards rate up to $1,500 spent in qualifying categories each quarter, hindering your rewards potential.
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The Discover it® Cash Back is very similar to the Chase Freedom Flex, but features a lower ongoing APR and the potential for a generous sign-up bonus through Discover’s Cashback Match. You’ll want to review the Discover it® Cash Back Bonus Categories before applying, but this card can be a highly rewarding addition to your wallet — even if it’s only for a quarter or two throughout the year.
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Pros
- This card’s low rates and fees make it an accessible option for people with tight budgets.
- Discover’s Cashback Match has the potential to be the highest welcome offer on any card.
Cons
- If you don’t earn more than $100 in cash back in your first year, Discover’s welcome offer won’t be worth more than competing cards’ offers.
- Bonus category spending is capped at $1,500 each quarter, placing a tight restriction on spenders with big budgets.
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Consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express if you cook frequently at home. This card currently has the highest rewards rate for purchases at U.S. supermarkets, making it a great pick for families. It has an annual fee after your first year, but if you have a large grocery budget it could be worth it. However, if you’re worried you won’t offset that annual fee every year, take a look at the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. It has many overlapping features as the Preferred, but skips the annual fee.
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Pros
- The Disney Bundle streaming service statement credit can help offset the annual fee.
- Its boosted rewards categories align with many household expenses, making it a top choice for homemakers.
Cons
- Its $95 annual fee after the first year could make it a costly card for people without a steady income.
- Limited reward redemption options might not appeal to people looking to leverage their everyday spending into a travel rewards strategy.
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The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is an accessible, affordable option for building or establishing credit as a first-time cardholder. You won’t earn rewards or cash back, but having a line of credit can do wonders for your credit score and start you on a track toward financial independence.
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Pros
- You’ll have access to free credit monitoring tools to easily track your score and watch your progress.
- It’s a great pick for new cardholders with limited credit history because it offers a good chance of approval for people with fair credit scores.
Cons
- This card doesn’t offer rewards or flashy perks, so it has limited long-term value.
- With no intro APR offers and a substantial ongoing APR, carrying any balance on the card can turn into a financial burden.
How to get a credit card as a stay-at-home parent or guardian
Fortunately, stay-at-home parents or guardians are no longer left out of the loop when it comes to good credit. Maintaining a good credit score became a much easier feat in 2013, when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) updated regulations to ensure stay-at-home spouses or partners would have an easier time getting approved for credit cards. These new regulations let stay-at-home applicants list “household” income on their credit card and loan applications, which is a big help when they do not earn income on their own.
With this new regulation, if you are a stay-at-home parent or guardian, you can apply for a credit card just like anyone else, except you can list your household income, including your partner’s or spouse’s income and other income sources, on your application. This makes it a lot easier to get approved for a meaningful credit limit that can help you maintain good credit for the long haul.
How to build credit as a stay-at-home parent or guardian
If your goal is building credit as a stay-at-home parent or guardian, a credit card can definitely help. Credit cards report your credit movements, including history, payments and more to all three credit reporting agencies, which can help you boost your credit score over time. However, using a card to build credit works best when you use credit responsibly from the start.
Here are some tips that can help you build credit:
- Use your credit card for purchases every month that you have the cash to pay off right away.
- Pay your credit card bill early or on time each month, since your payment history is the most important factor that makes up your FICO score.
- Keep your credit utilization ratio as low as possible — most experts recommend less than 30 percent.
- Refrain from opening or closing too many cards at once because it can hurt your credit score over time.
If you follow these steps and avoid getting into long-term debt, you’ll steadily build credit as a stay-at-home parent or guardian. Just remember that it’s always wise to avoid accruing credit card interest if you can and to make sure you have access to household funds you can use to pay your bill before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
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Credit cards offering cash-back on groceries and dining are well-suited for stay-at-home parents or guardians. They provide bonus rewards in common spending areas and help build credit history.
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Thanks to CFPB regulations, stay-at-home parents and guardians can apply for credit cards by listing household income on their applications, which can include a spouse’s or partner’s income. When applying, report all sources of income and manage the card responsibly to maintain good credit.
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Stay-at-home parents and guardians can build credit by becoming authorized users on a partner’s credit card, using credit cards for daily purchases and ensuring timely payments.
The bottom line
As a stay-at-home parent or guardian, it’s important to make sure you’re maintaining a strong credit profile. Although your household might have financial security, you should still find a way to prioritize your own financial security and standing. The right credit card will enable you to earn rewards and build credit at the same time.
Be sure to compare different options and follow responsible credit habits to successfully build your credit as a stay-at-home parent or guardian. Don’t let your non-working status hold you back — take control of your credit and secure a better financial future for you and your family.
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