| It is the most important rule of any sport or competition: | | | | record. |
| High score wins. | | | | There are other ways you can learn about boosting |
| Whether you love football, baseball, basketball, hockey, | | | | your credit score. Stephen Snyder, who knows |
| or even rock-paper-scissors, the key to winning is | | | | firsthand about financial struggles and how to rebound |
| getting the highest score. And the same is true when it | | | | from them, provides an in-depth manual that tells how |
| comes to your credit. Score high and you will score big. | | | | you can improve your credit score - and how that can |
| A high credit score is everything in your financial life. A | | | | mean lower interest rates on your credit cards, higher |
| high credit score is to your life what 40 points a game | | | | credit card limits, lower car payments, lower insurance |
| is to Peyton Manning's - money in the bank. Why? | | | | rates, and more. That could have you well on your |
| Your credit score tells people - specifically banks, | | | | way to buying that car of your dreams, whether it's a |
| lenders, and credit card companies - how good your | | | | Mercedes or a Toyota Prius. |
| credit history is, which is critical when it comes to | | | | Philip Tirone is another good source for ways of |
| getting loans or lines of credit. | | | | upping your credit score. His audio book, 7 Steps to a |
| Your credit score is determined by a host of factors, | | | | 720 Credit Score: How to Win the Credit Score, allows |
| but basically the things that most influence your score | | | | you to listen and learn the seven little-known rules of |
| are your total amount of credit, your total amount of | | | | credit. You can turn poor credit into great credit and as |
| debt, late payments, non-payments, defaults and | | | | a result save hundreds of dollars each month. |
| bankruptcies. Who determines your credit score? | | | | According to Tirone, even if you've been denied credit |
| There are three major credit reporting agencies that | | | | or think your credit is beyond repair, you can still raise |
| give out scores: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. | | | | your score up to 720, the key number that can get |
| Each of these agencies has up until very recently | | | | you the best interest rates and loans. |
| used their own system for calculating your credit | | | | When checking your credit report, you also want to |
| score. But that's currently changing thanks to a | | | | make sure you haven't been the victim of identity theft. |
| decision by the big three to create a uniform system | | | | Identity theft can really mess up your credit score. |
| for calculating credit scores called VantageScore. | | | | Identity Guard provides a service that both helps you |
| Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will continue to issue | | | | figure out your credit score and make sure someone |
| separate credit scores for each person, but with | | | | hasn't stolen your identity. Furthermore, Identity Guard |
| VantageScore, your three credit scores should be | | | | will continue to monitor your credit history and alert you |
| virtually identical. That's the plan, at least. | | | | if someone tries to use your personal information to |
| In any event, you want your credit score to be 650 or | | | | open accounts in your name. |
| higher to get the best rates from banks and creditors. | | | | US Search also can help when it comes to identity |
| How can you find out your credit score? It's easy. | | | | theft. They will provide you with a comprehensive |
| If you go to you can get a free copy of your credit | | | | report that tells you if anyone has used your identity |
| report from all three credit agencies that will not only | | | | illegally. Their Personal Record Profile report includes a |
| include your credit score, but important details about | | | | 10-year history and information not only about you but |
| your credit history. It is important to look at your credit | | | | also those you have lived with or near who may be |
| report because often times a credit report will have | | | | affecting your credit. |
| mistakes in it - which can mean a lower credit score. In | | | | Unlike football or baseball, there's no such thing as |
| fact, according to one report by the US Public Interest | | | | running up the score when it comes to your credit |
| Research Group, 70% of credit reports have errors in | | | | score. Aim high, and you won't be sorry. |
| them. If you find mistakes, you can contact them | | | | Copyright 2006 Find Your Prosperity. |
| directly, in writing, to point out and rectify your credit | | | | |