If your credit is lower than you would like, worry not. You can always bring your score up if you know the game well enough to fix it. Depending on what is holding you down, you may be able to tack on as many as 100 points relatively quickly.
There are a lot of tricks and tips to build a credit score, and we will help you get to know all those in one single article. Improving your financial standing is often easier than it seems once you understand the key steps. Keep reading for more information!
1. Make Frequent Payments
If you keep making small payments, also known as micropayments, there is a chance for you to build your credit score. Making multiple payments throughout the month works on a factor called credit utilization rate, which lowers your credit card balances. If you are able to keep your utilization low instead of letting it build towards a payment due date, it should benefit your score right away.
2. Ask for Higher Credit Limits
When your credit limit goes up and your balances stay the same, it readily lowers your overall card utilization. This reduction can significantly help your credit score. Make sure you call your card issuer and ask him or her if you can get a higher limit without a hard credit inquiry, which can drop your points for a while. Some issuers may be willing to work with you during the COVID-19 crisis.
3. Dispute Credit Report Errors
Any mistake on your financial report could potentially pull down your score.
You are entitled to a free report every 12 months from each of the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can ask your card issuer to request those reports and then check them for any mistakes, such as being marked late when you paid on time or negative information that is too old to be listed. Thereafter, dispute those errors to get them removed. The credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate and respond, which can prevent long-term harm to your credit score.
4. Become an Authorized User
Another way to increase your credit card score is to ask a relative or friend with a long record of card use and a high credit limit to add you to his or her card as an authorized user. The account holder doesn’t necessarily have to let you use the card or even tell you the account number for you to benefit.
5. Make Sure to Use a Secured Credit Card
Another useful method to build creditworthiness from scratch is by using a secured credit card. This type of credit card is supported by a cash deposit; you pay it upfront, and the deposit amount usually stays the same as your limit. You use it like a regular card, and your on-time payments help your credit. Go for a secured credit card that reports your card activity to all three bureaus so that it strengthens your credit scores over time.
6. Keep Your Unused Credit Cards Open
If you’re racing to improve your credit profile, be aware that closing credit cards can make the job harder. Closing a card means you will lose the credit card limit when your overall credit utilization is calculated. Therefore, it is advised to keep your credit card open even if you are not using it.
Boost Your Credit Score
Improving your finances often requires both knowledge and persistence. By setting clear goals and tracking your progress, you can stay motivated throughout the process. Small, consistent actions tend to create the biggest changes over time. All in all, there are other tips, such as paying bills on time, which can improve your credit score. We hope you found this article helpful. Feel free to leave your reviews!
