Many people’s credit scores have suffered as a result of the economic downturn. However, the following article gives you some helpful advice on different steps you can take to clear up your debt and improve your credit rating.
Credit Card
If you are unable to get an unsecured credit card due to your low credit rating, consider a secured card to help reestablish your rating. Most likely, a secured credit card will be easy for you to get, but you have to fund the credit account before you purchase so the bank knows that you won’t miss any payments. Using this card responsibly will improve your credit rating over time, and eventually you’ll be able to get a normal credit card again.
Make sure that you are never using more than 50% of your credit card’s limit. If your credit card balances exceed 50% of their limits, it will lower your credit score, so spread your debt over multiple cards, or better, pay down the balances.
If you credit score is good, you should have no problem purchasing a house and obtaining a mortgage. When your mortgage is paid in full, you will be rewarded with increased scores on your credit file. Owning your own home also improves your credit score in the form of having large assets to borrow against. If you have to borrow some money, you will need this.
Installment Account
An installment account is a great way to increase your credit score. You should make sure it is an installment account that you will be able to pay into every month. You will improve your credit score by properly managing an installment account.
If you want to avoid giving too much to your creditor, simply refuse to pay towards unfairly huge interest rates. An interest rate that is shockingly high can possibly be ruled as illegal in certain cases. However, you did sign an agreement to pay the interest. It is possible that you can sue a creditor and claim that the interest rate charged is unreasonably high.
Do not involve yourself in illegal activities. You should steer clear of internet programs that show you how to clear your credit. These scams are not legal and there will be repercussions. Legal ramifications can cost a lot, and you may go to jail.
Find and challenge errors on your credit report using the dispute process offered by each credit reporting agency. Send an official letter to companies that have wrongfully lowered your score, and include documentation that shows the mistake. Send your dispute package with a return receipt request so that you have proof that it was received by the agency.
Live within your means. This will require a change in your thinking. Many people have acquired debts they can’t pay off, which has affected the amount others will pay to have credit. Take a deep look at your finances, and determine what you can realistically afford to spend.
In order to get a hold on your credit, focus on closing all accounts except one. You should arrange to make payments or make a balance transfer to your open account. You can pay down one credit card in full, rather than chipping away at many.
Credit Card
Go over your monthly credit card statements to check for mistakes. Immediately report any errors to your credit card company to prevent a bad mark on your credit report.
Paying the balances of your cards as fast as you can will help your credit score. First, pay down your credit card balances, starting with the highest interest. Doing so shows your lenders that you are responsible.
There are many credit restoration agencies advertised; you must check with places like the Better Business Bureau to make sure that you deal with a reputable one. There are many scams that happen in the industry of credit improvement. Far too many people have been bilked by dishonest agencies. One way to separate the wheat from the chaff is to check user reviews online.
Unfortunately, sometimes you have more debts than you have money to pay them off. Be sure to give a portion of your spendable income to each of your creditors. Paying at least minimum payments prevents creditors from calling collection agencies.
Credit Score
Any time that you take out a line of credit it is going to negatively impact your credit score. Opening new lines of credit can hurt your score greatly, even if you get approved. If you continue to increase your debt, your credit score will continue to drop.
Work out a plan of attack where you can pay off collectors and any other accounts that are past due. Though they will still be reflected on all three credit reports, they will show as paid so the ill effects are less substantial.
Credit Counseling
If you’re having problems budgeting your money or paying your debts, contact a credit counseling company that has a good reputation. Often times, these companies will work with the creditors to get negotiate a lower interest rate and an affordable payment plan that will help get your finances back on track. In addition, credit counseling will help you set up a budget and examine where your money goes.
Since you should now have a better understanding of different ways you can use to begin fixing your credit scores, take immediate action to implement them. Before your poor credit score harms the quality of your life, take the information learned from this article and apply it to your financial situation to help you get back on your feet.