Having a bad credit score, while not unusual, has a huge negative impact on your finances and on any kinds of funding solutions and opportunities you may want to use. Put simply, using those funding opportunities, such as getting a loan, is pretty much impossible if your credit is low and not satisfactory. Making yourself more attractive to lenders through improving this score will increase your chances of being approved when you apply for solutions like personal loans, mortgages and credit cards. Read more on why a good score is important.
If struggling with your score, the first thing to know is that you’re not alone. Quite a lot of adults are struggling with the same problem. And, the second important thing to understand is that this is not that finite, meaning that the fact your score is poor now doesn’t mean it will remain poor in the future as well. It is not something set in stone. Sure, you can very much ruin it by irresponsible financial behavior, but the point is that it can be repaired and rebuilt.
Put simply, improving your credit score is undeniably a possibility, and a possibility you should rely on if you’ve found that you won’t get approved for any kinds of funding solutions you choose unless you make the improvements. You may have perhaps been rejected already, which is why you’ve begun thinking of making these improvements in the first place. Having been wondering if it is possible at all, you may have gotten discouraged, thinking that you actually can’t do anything about the score, but research has shown you that you really can.
The only question is how. Sitting back, not taking any financial decisions whatsoever and not making any changes in the way you’re dealing with your money, your debts and things like those, certainly won’t have a positive impact on your credit. Instead, you need to take some action and take some significant steps towards rebuilding it. If you don’t really have any idea which steps I’m referring to, reading on will help you find out.
Review the Report
Being affected by numerous factors, your score can sometimes seem a bit confusing to you. That is, of course, until you take a look at the report. Thoroughly examining the report can help you identify any weak spots, as well as create your very own DIY guide to rebuild your credit, and basically understand which steps you’ll have to take so as to see any improvements.
Dispute Any Errors
The reports could contain some errors. Errors that could affect your credit quite negatively, and that could be driving the score downhill. Identifying those by checking out the reports and, of course, disputing them if you find any, is of crucial importance in the process of making the improvements we are actually talking about.
Pay Bills on Time and Catch Up on Overdue Ones
As the main driver of your score, your payment history should definitely be taken into great account. Improving it means paying all of your bills on time, as well as catching up on the overdue ones. It may be easier to say than to do, but putting in the effort to do it will definitely be worth it.
Keep Some of Your Credit Available
Keeping your credit utilization blow 30% shows you’re being responsible with your finances. Overspending, on the other hand, will not be a great sign for any lenders. And, overspending can further decrease your overall score, while you’re aiming at improving it.
Read more on how to rebuild it: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-score/how-to-rebuild-credit/
Get a Secured Credit Card
Getting a secured credit card may be helpful as you’re working your way towards improving the score. By using this financial tool responsibly, guess what will happen? You’ll improve the overall profile and chances of getting loans in the future.
Or a Credit-Builder Loan
Considering a credit-builder loan is also quite a good move. And, I’m guessing you understand what these loans entail, given that the very name says it all. Basically, it is a loan aiming at helping you improve your profile, and so as to get it, you’ll have to find the right institution, as well as to show proof of income and the ability to repay the debt you’ll incur.