Start credit, been declined too many times...?

Go to the bank where your savings account is. Deposit $1000 in a frozen account. That is, an account from which you cannot withdraw for one or two years. Ask for a credit card with $500 credit, secured on that deposit. Then start using it, as much as possible, paying back regularly and immediately. Everything you buy, use the credit card, and pay it within the month (better still within a week). That way you don't pay any interest. In a year or so, all the credit card companies will be sending you pre-approved credit cards, or offering you credit cards. Don't accept them all. Arrange to have just one credit card that can be used anywhere. Otherwise you can really fall into the credit trap.