| There is one three digit number floating around out | | | | now, this won't affect your credit as much. |
| there that defines who you are as a borrower. All of | | | | Another good way to boost your credit rating is to |
| your present and future lenders will look (or have | | | | pay off as much of your existing debt as you can. |
| looked) at this number. The number itself is called your | | | | Also, you can try and decrease your debt-to-credit limit |
| credit score... and if you have a really low one, you will | | | | ratio. Lastly, it is important that you obtain a credit |
| be dealing with a lot of high interest rates and other | | | | report - more than once per year. Why? Credit |
| increased fees or prices (example: your car insurance | | | | bureaus can make mistakes...especially if you happen |
| price might depend on your credit score already). | | | | to have a common name. You will need to correct |
| Since our society largely depends upon credit, it is | | | | any mistake on your credit history as soon as possible. |
| important to learn how you can improve your credit | | | | You also want to monitor your credit report to prevent |
| score. The best way to improve your credit score is | | | | identity theft that might make it impossible to obtain a |
| simple - pay your bills on time and live below your | | | | loan for several months until the situation is cleaned up. |
| means. If this news doesn't come as a surprise to you, | | | | Stay on top of your credit score in order to improve it. |
| there is something else to consider: pay attention to | | | | While you may not think that credit is THAT important, |
| your recent credit history. | | | | in many cases you cannot get the things you need |
| If you want to make a large (credit dependent) | | | | without decent credit score. Houses, cars, loans, and |
| purchase in the near future, make sure that you pay | | | | many other things in life require credit. Those three |
| your bills on time for at least 6-12 months leading up to | | | | numbers may look insignificant, but they will cause you |
| that credit request. If you missed a few payments | | | | a lot of trouble if you don't begin to increase your |
| many years ago, but you want to make a purchase | | | | score. |