Dear Creditnet: I need to start rebuilding my credit so I can purchase a home, but I can't seem to get approved for a credit card. I've applied for 3 different cards this year and I've been denied every time. I feel like giving up. Should I just get a prepaid debit card since they don't do credit checks? There's no way I can get denied, right?

Lights flashing, adrenaline flowing, the scrolling triple 7's rewarding you with the jackpot of a lifetime; who in the world hasn’t dreamed of striking it big in Vegas? You could finally go on that vacation to paradise, pay off your home, or maybe even help support your family for generations to come. But those lucky 7's don’t have to be confined to Vegas.  In fact, one of the most important 7's you should be shooting for is a credit score of 700 or higher.  It may not reward you with cash jackpot worth millions, but obtaining a credit score above 700 will certainly open the door to more desirable credit cards with rewards, 0% interest credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and other credit products that will save you thousands in interest during your lifetime. 

Dear Creditnet: I just got a new cell phone and the salesperson mentioned that paying my bill on time each month will help improve my credit. Is this true? If so, will the new cell phone bill have the same type of positive effect on my credit scores as my student credit cards and student loans? - Sandra L. from CA