I plan on getting a used car when im 19 but want to get credit first whats the easiest way?

i know if i have no credit than i will have ungodly high rates when i finance... so i have a year or two after i turn 18 (next mo.) that i plan on getting some sort of credit. i dont really want to get a credit card, but im afraid to get into debt. what are the other options and am i just being paranoid about getting a credit card?
i was thinking i should rent to own some things i need for when i move out from rentway, kill two birds with one stone- but i dont know if that would count alot on my credit report or not. it would only be like paying on a 300- 750$ thing for a year or so... maybe more i dont know yet.
would that be better than getting a credit card?

i have a job by the way...

Do not go the rent-to-own route! That's terrible! They charge way too much.

Here's my two cents...

Since you are not 18 yet you can't legally get credit. If your parents would do it, see if they can co-sign on a credit card.

Get one with a very low limit ($500). Then use it to pay for everything that you normally pay for in cash. PAY YOUR BILLS! Pay the whole thing off each month.

It would be great if you could also get one or two others, like from department stores.

Your credit score is made up of several components. The major ones consist of how long you have had credit. The sooner you get start with any type of credit the better.

Check out http://www.myfico.com this site is the home of the folks who developed the FICO scoring system the credit agencies use. They have lots of advice and tips to establish history, so check it out.

You can get a low-limit credit card from any major department store. Buy a few things and pay it off right away. It will show you are a good credit risk.

After you've had that card for a while, apply for a credit card. See if you can go through your own bank.

Rent to own is very dangerous. A better way would be to get a student credit card. You can purchase a few things that you would normally buy and pay off the card every month. This way you would avoid finance charges and establish a payment history. Rent to own is a problem because they overcharge you for the merchandise and then charge you very high interest rates. You'd do better to charge the item and pay it off with a credit card.

I doubt if you will get credit of any kind until you have a reasonable wage from a permanent job. Don't even think about credit - banks and credit people are all out to get you to spend to get you deeper into debt. Wait until you can afford what you want to buy and then you won't have to pay extortionate interest.

Get a job, keep that job! If you have not been at your job for at least 6 months no car place will talk to you but if you do have that job and hardly any bills than go to a used car dealership and down payment money and you will have a car.