subject: Why You Should Start Improving Your Credit Score Today [print this page] Your credit report is a very important document. It is used by creditors, lenders, landlords, potential employers, and other companies to determine your credibility. Mismanagement of credit is not only labels you as a credit risk but can also be viewed as a poor social trait. When you apply for a job, a loan, a credit card, a new apartment, etc., someone views your credit history and credit score and uses that information to make a judgment about you. With that in mind, don't you think it is vital to maintain a good credit score?
A credit score takes into consideration all the information in your credit report to produce a score that ranges between 350 to 800 and is representative of your credit risk. The higher the score, the less of a risk you are. If your score is below 670, you will probably have difficulty finding a loan or a credit card with a good APR. If it has completely bottomed out, you may even have trouble renting an apartment. This is why it is important to not only know how your credit rating works, but to understand how you can improve it. Millions of Americans don't even know what a credit score is. Many wait until they are denied an apartment, a cell phone, or turned down for an important loan before they take action. Don't be like that. Educate yourself, improve your credit, and live a better life.
All creditors report information to the main credit reporting agencies. It is this information that is used when calculating your score. If you don't pay your bills on time or you default on a loan, then your score will suffer. Fortunately, you can improve your score over time. Your credit score isn't static. It changes from month to month. Also, creditors don't just report negative information to the bureaus. When you make a payment on time, pay off a debt, and meet your financial obligations, that all gets reported too. So to improve your score, you simply need to change your financial habits.
The first thing you should do is get your credit score. Many services are available that not only allow you to access your credit score but track your score from month to month. You can also get a free annual credit report through one of the credit agencies. Just simply go to their site and request your free report. It is your right under the current federal law. To actually improve the score is simple yet difficult also. It is simple because it involves only two requirements - pay your debts on time and reduce your debt. Since many people are short on cash, this can be difficult though. Perhaps you can get an extra job or cut needless expenses from your household budget? Whatever you need to do, make your monthly payments and try to cut debt. That is the only proven way for improving your score.
When things get difficult, just remember that a good score means a better life. You can get a business loan, a car loan, or even a home loan at competitive APRs. Having a high credit score not only allows you access to credit but can save you money also. Start improving your score today!
Why You Should Start Improving Your Credit Score Today
