Helping Your Credit Score

By Alva D. Miller


Ever wonder how your credit score is calculated? Well, it's really not all that complicated. In this article, you will learn the five factors that determine your credit score as well as the weight that each of them carries. These five factors are: payment history, overall account balances, credit history, types of credit and inquiries. After reading this article, you won't be able to calculate your score because there are complex algorithms used to compute your credit score; however, if you can understand the underlying factors that contribute to your credit, then you can learn the best strategies for boosting your score upward.

Payment history is reviewed to make sure that you don't have any late payments that are more than 30 days past the due date. If you do, and they're recent ones, then your score will drop. If you keep your payment history on time and pay when bills are due, then the number one category will be a major factor in your final score.The second category, available credit, is based upon a percentage of credit available to you compared to current loan balances. For example, if you have a credit card with a $10,000 credit limit and you have a $3,000 balance, you will be rewarded in your credit score. The algorithms seem to indicate that keeping an approximate balance of one-third of your available credit at all times boosts your score. However, if you approach, or worse go above, your credit limit, your scores will fall.

Maintaining low balances contributes to the second largest factor in your credit score. As a good rule of thumb, it is a good idea to owe approximately 10% of your total credit limits. For instance, if you have a $1,000 line of credit, you should maintain a low balance of $100 on any given month. Owing too much money on accounts shows that you are a risk factor and are unable to pay account balances down. Creditors want to deal with consumers who can show restraint and discipline with credit lines. You want to show creditors that you are responsible and will pay them off in time. You don't want to show that you have a high dependence on credit.

What Exactly is a Credit Score? A credit score is a number of 3 digits that lenders use as an indicator of your capacity to meet financial obligations such as mortgage payments, car payments, credit card bills, loan repayment, etc. It basically tells lenders how likely you are to pay your debts.It is usually a number between 300 and 850. The higher the credit score, the less risky you are to lenders. And the less risky you are to lenders, the better interest rates you will get. Also, the higher your credit score is, the more chances you have in getting a loan. Sounds simple right?

There are professional people in the marketplace that specialize in improving your credit scores. It pays to work with these people and get your credit scores raised. Just an increase of one percentage point on your loan of $500,000 can save approximately $20,000 per year.Our credit score can mean the difference between being denied or approved for credit, and a low or high interest rate. A credit rating score can help you qualify for an apartment rental, loan for new home, furniture, new car or even a credit card.Any kind of individual who needs to apply for a major card or financing will have to abide by the rules and regulations required by the creditor. A crucial element for any kind of loan to be authorized is your credit rating score.A FICO score is the determining factor with lenders whether you will be approved for a loan or not. Your existing credit score in addition to your previous credit history is considered in developing a current credit score.

Where Does It Come From? Now you are probably wondering "Where does my credit score come from?" This is a very common question and the answer is simple: Your credit score comes from your credit report.This credit report is created by the three major credit bureaus in the states and it contains the history of your payments, the amount of loans that you have, how much you owe, and a few other things.

The bureaus use the information contained in your credit report to calculate your score. The three major credit bureaus use the FICO scoring system, which ranges from 300 to 850.What Exactly is Your Credit Score Made Of? Your credit score is made of five different parts:Payment History (35%) Payment history refers to the ability to pay your bills on time. It represents 35% of your credit score. Your history is considered the best indicator of your future financial behavior. Late payments, missed payments, loan defaults, unpaid taxes, and the worst of all, bankruptcy, will all hurt your score.It's also important the amount of negative events and when these events happened. Newer events affects your score more than older ones. More severe events (like bankruptcy) are worse than less severe events. And many events hurt your score more than only a few of them.

Do not let your due date slip by.When you pay your bills on time or prior to the due date, you are establishing really good credit score standing. An additional advantage when you are paying in advance is that you are additionally making your balances low.Late payments will certainly not just provide lenders with a bad perception of you but it could contribute to a lower credit rating. To avoid late repayments, it is better to track due dates. Develop a monitoring system for due dates a week or two before your payment is due.

Consolidate.Debt consolidation is usually for individuals that experience difficulty paying off debts to their lending institutions. Consolidation is recommended for such people to unburden them of stress in making many different monthly payments to several different lenders.Examine and re-evaluate.Be your own financial counselor. Do not let financial problems pile up. Rather than awaiting credit rating reports to be mailed to your front door, make your own assessment. By doing this, you are updated concerning your credit reports.

Avoid credit cards,Warren buffet said that the first step to being rich is getting rid of your credit cards. A credit card is a permanent loan from the lending institution. Whenever you use it, you are charged interest therefore making your purchases convenient but expensive.There is no price tag that can be put on the harm the credit card does to your credit score and this story is true for everyone who has one. Credit cards promote impulse buying and misuse of money that increases your debt and lowers your credit rating. Get rid of your existing ones and cancel any new applications.Dedication carry's the day,Nothing good comes easy but improving your debts is something you should not take lightly. It is not going to be easy, it might call for a lifestyle shift, but just like education, the fruits will be sweet.




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