Having a look over your credit history is a good idea too because it's important to understand exactly what it is that's wrong with your credit. Sometimes it might not be your fault at all. Perhaps they've mixed up your details with someone else who happens to have the same name as yourself. Or perhaps you've been victim of fraud. Whatever the problem is, if it isn't your fault you need to rectify it.
If you have bad credit then it's imperative that you are on your best beheviour by paying all of your bills in a timely manner. You are also more likely to receive overdrafts and loans if you do so. Even if you can't afford to pay your credit cards in full every moth, you should do your best to pay the minimum this way it won't have a negative impact.
For those of you who have had problems with writing checks that bounce, you will have problems with getting a bank account too. There are accounts specifically for people like you called second chance checking accounts. You might not be looking for credit but having a bank account that allows you to receive your wages every month is very important. Trying to live without any kind of bank account in the day and age is near impossible.
Once you have obtained your checking account and shown that you are able to keep it in good standing order you'll probably be able to approach your bank for benefits such as an overdraft.
Prepaid debit cards are also great for times when you simply don't want to pay by cash. There is no fear of over spending because you simply are unable to do so. You can only spend the amount of money you have on your balance. So you have much of the benfits of having a regular debit card but you don't have the worry of whether you will end up going into the red because of it.
Keywords: bad credit, credit, report, checking, debit