| p>For many people who want to fix credit rating, It | | | | others. Paying more than the minimum always |
| would be ideal to have a 700 credit score but if your | | | | increases your ratings. This will also reduce the overall |
| FICA scores are lower than you may need to make | | | | amount that you owe which also affects your score. |
| some adjustments to the way you've been doing | | | | - Reducing the amount you own on all of your loans or |
| things. A low report affects your ability to get a | | | | notes each month when compared to the overall |
| mortgage, buy a car, apply for a store account and | | | | amount of credit available to you will also improve your |
| just about everything else having to do with money. | | | | credit score. If you always have 100% credit available |
| If your FICO score is between 499 and 600, then here | | | | like many people who pay off their cards every month, |
| are some simple methods that allows you to fix your | | | | you can actually have a higher score if you say keep |
| credit report. | | | | a balance of say 10% of the available credit. |
| - Get a copy of your credit report with credit scores | | | | Remember it's a "credit" score not a cash score. |
| online. If you've been denied a loan for any reason, the | | | | - Sign up for your bank's online bill payment program |
| reports are free. If not, they are free annually from | | | | and make sure you pay more than the minimum on |
| each of the 3 credit bureaus. If there are any mistakes | | | | each credit card. You will never be late and never |
| report them to either Experian, TransUnion or Equifax, | | | | worry about stamps or the mail getting picked up on |
| whichever one had the mistake. Once you know the | | | | time. Most of it is done electronically. |
| problem then it's easier to make repairs. If there is a | | | | - If all else fails and your score is really low, then try to |
| low number, you can attach a letter that explains the | | | | convince a relative with a good score to allow you to |
| circumstances such as losing your job or getting sick | | | | piggyback on their credit. You will immediately see an |
| or whatever happened at the time. | | | | increase in your score due to their mentoring, strong |
| - Paying off all your bills on time or completely will | | | | history of good credit and the opportunity for you to |
| move your numbers up, but not enough to move 100 | | | | learn more about good credit ratings. |
| or so points. Making a payment when it is due and | | | | Credit scores are just one part of get a lower interest |
| then another after it is due, will increase your score | | | | mortgage or credit card. Other factors should be |
| more rapidly since it is computed monthly. So paying | | | | considered just as important. Knowing as much as |
| off more than your balance really helps. | | | | possible before you apply for a credit card is the |
| - Pay off the card with the highest interest rate first | | | | surest way to financial freedom. |
| while making more than the minimum payment on the | | | | |