How to raise your credit score when you have bad credit

 

How to raise your credit score when you have bad credit

The best way to raise your credit score when you have bad credit is by understanding the factors that contribute to your score. Here are the five factors used to calculate your FICO® Score and how you can get high marks in each one:

• Payment history (35%): On-time payments are the key to excellent credit. While you can't undo previous late payments on your credit file, you can avoid late payments in the future. That's the number one habit you need to raise your credit score.
• Credit utilization (30%): Your credit utilization is the sum of your credit balances divided by your combined credit limit. For example, if you have one credit card with a balance of $200 and a limit of $500, then your credit utilization is 40%. The lower you can keep this number, the better. A good goal is to always have your credit utilization below 30%. If yours is higher, then you should focus on paying off debt.
• Length of credit history (15%): Creditors will obviously consider a borrower who has had a credit card for 20 years to be less risky than one who has only been using credit for three months. The best way to improve in this area is to open a no-annual-fee card and keep it open forever.
• Credit mix (10%): It gives you a slight credit score advantage if you have both revolving credit, such as credit cards, and an installment loan on your credit file, instead of just one of the two. But since this has only a small impact on your credit score, you shouldn't take out a loan solely to boost your credit. You can attain an excellent credit score even if you only use credit cards.
• New credit inquiries (10%): When a company looks at your credit report to make a credit decision, this inquiry is reported on your credit report for two years. Credit inquiries only affect your FICO® Score for one year, though. Don't avoid opening a new account just because of the small impact to your credit score, but don't open a bunch of accounts in quick succession, either.

There's a right way to swipe

Credit cards with rewards and 0% intro APR offers are excellent, but remember, they are a tool to help you get the most out of your spending. The Ascent motto to follow:

1. Pay off your card in full each month.
2. Choose a card whose rewards are a good fit for you.
3. Don't spend more than you already would.

Follow this and you'll be making your money work overtime for you. Live richly, not risky.