When your credit has gone bad it is hard to understand exactly how it got there, what life events made it near impossible for you to keep it where it should be. This is impertinent however. Now is the time to stare it directly in the face, and vehemently seek to improve it. Read on to see how you can improve your credit score.
Ask a someone close to you if they can make you an authorized user to one of their accounts. Make sure it’s an account with a low balance compared to its limit, a perfect history of payments and it should have been open for at least a few years. As an authorized user, the history of this card will become part of your credit history.
Do not close that account you’ve had since leaving high school, it’s doing wonders for your credit report. Lenders love established credit accounts and they are ranked highly. If the card is changing interest rates on you, contact them to see if something can be worked out. As a long term customer they may be willing to work with you.
Be immediately proactive if you feel that someone has used your credit illegally. Whether it is through attempted identity theft or fraudulent attempts by non-reputable creditors, these attempts can slip by without vigilance on your part. Take the time to research any report to your file and examine the source.
Always pay your bills on time. Not paying your bills on time will cause needless late fees. There’s no need wasting money on fees by simply paying bills when they are due. Be in charge of your finances, pay your bills on time, and don’t throw your money away on late fees.
If a collection agent does not inform you of your rights stay away. All legitimate credit collection firms follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If a company does not let you know of your rights they may be a scam. Learn what your rights are so that you know when a company is trying to push you around.
If a collection agent will not remove a debt that they cannot verify as yours, contact the attorney general’s office where the creditor is located. Advise them that the creditor has no written proof of your debt and will not remove the item from your credit. The attorney general’s office will contact the creditor for you to have it removed.
To keep your credit in top notch shape, borrow no more than 30% of the credit available to you. Keeping your debt lower than 30% of your available credit will help you to maintain a strong credit score with the reporting agencies. It also means less owed to lenders and so, less for you to pay back.
An important tip to consider when working to repair your credit is the fact that if you have poor credit, you might not qualify for the housing that you desire. This is important to consider because not only might you not be qualified for a house to purchase, you may not even qualify to rent an apartment on your own.
If you do not have the self-discipline to fix your credit by creating a set budget and following each step of that budget, or if you lack the ability to formulate a repayment plan with your creditors, it might be wise to enlist the services of a credit counseling organization. Do not let lack of extra cash keep you from obtaining this type of service since some are non-profit. Just as you would with any other credit repair organization, check the reputability of a credit counseling organization before signing a contract.
If you are trying to repair or increase your credit score, then pay attention to all of your credit cards. Many lenders are unexpectedly lowering the limits on many of their cards. A lowered limit will result in a sudden jump in the percentage of your credit that you are using, which will have a significant negative effect on your credit score.
Another way to repair your credit is through the use of secured credit cards. These cards are available with many different rates, so be sure to shop around for one that can work for you. Just don’t apply to too many, because this can actually lower your credit score. This is due to the fact that it may appear to the credit bureaus that you are having money issues, and are trying to increase your credit lines.
If your credit is out of control, and you have made the choice to hire a credit counselors, make sure you are hiring a reputable one. Credit counselors should have certifications and be specifically trained in the fields of debt and money management, budgeting, and consumer credit. Ask for their credentials before you hire them.
Asking for help from a friend or a family member who consistantly proves to manage their money and credit in a responsible way, is a great way to learn how to repair your credit ratings. Be open to their advice and take what they say to heart.
Make timely credit card payments from now on. Your road to recovering from lousy credit begins now, and everything that you do from this day forward counts. You can restore your good credit rating over time with a history of on-time payments. This will also save you a fortune in late fees, which will make it even easier to make your payments on time.
Rebuilding credit is never easy. It is much easier to spend money freely. However, once you have satisfied your credit card and other high interest household debt, you need to next focus on contributing to your employer 401k plan. In most cases, the employer will match your contributions enabling you to build a nest egg very quickly.
It may have been unforeseen, and something out of a bad dream, but your credit is where it’s at simply because of some unfortunate event. These happen to everyone. Now you are armed with the tips and tools to go about fixing it, so that you may continue on with your life in a normal fashion with great credit.
