Aaron asked:


So for five years or so I was really broke and I’ve accumulated a lot of small old bills. Nothing really big, $100 here, $300 there, all told it’s under $5000, which I realize is not much compared to folks that have a ton of credit card debt, of which I have none.

I have a good job now and I’m able to cover all of my living expenses, but I can’t generate any extra money to take care of these little bills all over. I don’t want to declare bankruptcy, but I really want to improve my credit rating and find some way of dealing with these bills. Are there any services out there to help a person in my situation? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Jose

Lingua Scelestra asked:


I have no debts, but i’m not allowed to open a proper account (with debit card etc) at any bank, i have too low a credit score. I tried taking out a store card to improve my rating, but they said i can’t because i have a low credit score. Is my scoial mobility going to be forever impaired by the fact that like most people i work damn hard for my money? I feel really cheated. How can i improve my score? I even have a (low credit limit of course) credit card (from my student days) which i’ve never missed a payment on. Help!

Yolanda

Mark Aucamp asked:


If you believe everything in the news these days, it’s almost impossible to get a good deal on credit. Luckily, that’s just not true. If you have a good credit rating, you can still qualify for some great deals – whether you want a card, loan, mortgage or simply the right mobile airtime package. Follow these tips and you could see a real improvement to that all-important number.

Month 1

Understand credit ratings

When lenders decide whether to grant you credit and what interest to charge, they calculate your credit rating (also known as a credit score) to assess the likelihood that you will repay what you owe them. They do this by allocating a value to items from your application and your credit report – the personal history of your credit accounts, such as loans, cards and mortgages – and adding them up to get a single number. In general, the higher your score, the easier you’ll find it to get credit.

You don’t have a single credit rating, as every lender uses a different formula. Your credit score also changes over time, as your circumstances change – which is where these tips come in.



Check your credit report

It’s crucial that this is up to date and accurately reflects your circumstances, so lenders don’t turn you down unnecessarily or lend more than you can really afford to repay. Start by getting an overview of your credit accounts and how well you’re managing them. You can see your Experian credit report online with a 30-day free trial of the credit monitoring and ID fraud protection service CreditExpert.

It’s an urban myth that your credit rating suffers every time you look at your own report. In fact, checking your credit report regularly could help you to manage your finances better and build a better credit score.

Month 2

Register to vote at your current address

The electoral roll is used to confirm that you live where you say you do – you may lose points if you don’t appear and lenders may ask you to provide further proof of residence or even turn you down.

Set the record straight

If you find any discrepancies on your report, such as an account that is closed but is listed as open or a late payment that you know you made on time, get in touch with the relevant lender and explain the problem. Be prepared to provide proof and ask them to amend the entry.

Month 3

Give yourself some breathing space

Look for zero per cent balance transfers or spending deals on credit cards, which will give you some breathing space while you sort out your finances – but remember to save up the money to repay them when the introductory period is up.

Close unused accounts

Target unused accounts listed on your credit report and close them down. Lenders take into account the amount you could borrow when they decide what to offer you. Lower that total and you could increase your credit score.

Month 4

Make the most of savings on your mortgage

If you have a tracker mortgage that has benefited from the record lows in interest rates, now’s the time to consider whether paying off more of your home loan will leave you better off rather than using the surplus to repay other debts. Check first that you won’t be penalised for any early repayment.

Rationalise your borrowing

Get out your statements and work out which of your remaining accounts are costing you most in interest, then do your research to see if you can roll them up into a single, less expensive loan. If that’s not possible and you have spare cash, use it to pay off these debts first – you’ll be better off than if you keep the money in the bank and, as your balance falls, your credit rating could rise.

Month 5

Explain yourself

Past financial problems such as missed repayments stay on your credit report for at least three years, while IVAs and bankruptcies are there for a minimum of six years. If special circumstances explain why you got into trouble, you can ask to add a note of explanation that will be seen by lenders. For example, you might have had an accident and skipped a few repayments but have never had any problems before or since.

Sweep up your footprints



Every time you make an application for credit, the lender will search your credit report and leave a record known as a footprint. These stay on your credit report for 12 months and lots of these in a short space of time can make them fear that you’re desperate for money or even suspect that a fraud is being planned, so if you spot something listed as an application when you were only asking for a quotation, contact the lender and ask for it to be removed. When you want to know what kind of a deal you can get, be careful to ask for a quotation search that won’t count against you.

Month 6

Protect your ID



ID fraud is one of the fastest-growing crimes of the 21st century. It takes place when a criminal gets hold of enough of your personal data and impersonates you, take over your accounts, borrow money in your name – and trash your credit rating. When you check your credit report, look out for unfamiliar transactions or applications and tell the lender immediately if you think you’re a victim. The Home Office recommends this as an effective protection.



Update your relationships



One section of your credit report lists your financial associates – people with whom you have a financial relationship, such as a mortgage or joint credit card account. Lenders may check the credit reports of your financial associates when you apply for credit, as their situation could affect your ability to repay what you borrow, so it’s important to ensure that the list is up to date – or you could be penalised for someone else’s financial problems. It’s always best to close joint accounts when a relationship ends.

So how are you doing?

See whether you’ve boosted your credit rating by ordering your Experian Credit Score for £5.95 at any time when you check your Experian credit report with CreditExpert. It won’t be exactly the same as one calculated by a lender but it will demonstrate the impact of your credit history on your credit score and help you to track your progress.



Shane

Ahdab asked:


Can it be improved like the way G.P.A.s (grade point averages) can be?

Debra

Cy99 asked:


I am a single parent who does not receive child support. My credit has gotten out of hand and I want to improve my credit rating. After each paycheck I have little money left over and I live on a very tight budget. What can I do to improve my credit rating, pay off some debt, and save money?

Lisa

Alan Lim asked:


Are you stuck with bad credit history? Do you find it difficult to qualify for traditional loan opportunities? If your reply towards these questions comes in the positive manner, then there is just one approach which can assist you in getting rid of these circumstances. Now, you must be wondering what is that approach? Well, simply raise your credit rating by the personal loans for bad credit history. Although it sounds something crazy to rebuild your credit history with a positive image, but still you can do it by following a few of strategies described here.

First of all, apply for a loan which is not going to be an easy going task at all. It is so because whenever you apply for a loan, moneylenders will request you to provide your credit ratings. Well, in this case if your rating is at some positive level or satisfactory, then there are chances to get loans instantly. But, in case your credit history is completely jagged, then it’s going to be a little bit tricky. Well, in these circumstances you can apply for secured loans which are provided by regular financial institutions. These loans require you to mortgage your asset as collateral. But the interest rates payable in these loans are the cheapest one.

In case you are unable to mortgage any of your assets, you can go for unsecured loans options. These loans are usually offered at higher interest rates as they don’t require you to mortgage anything as collateral.

Once you receive the amount of loan, make sure to consolidate your old debts from it. It will not only save ample of money, but also improve your credit history too. Moreover, you should get your credit sheet from FICO and try to find errors in it. And then try to fix them all by paying your due amounts of several debts.

In addition, you can increase your credit rating by paying of the installments of personal loans timely. Usually, it is seen that the more you are consistent in paying the installments, the more your credit rating is boosted. So, make the most of these loans to enhance your credit points which will allow you to acquire great deals on loans in future.

Therefore, personal loans for bad credit are not only the best approach to support your financial requirements, but also they can dramatically increase your credit rating.



Ronnie

Mark Aucamp asked:


If you believe everything in the news these days, it’s almost impossible to get a good deal on credit. Luckily, that’s just not true. If you have a good credit rating, you can still qualify for some great deals – whether you want a card, loan, mortgage or simply the right mobile airtime package. Follow these tips and you could see a real improvement to that all-important number.

Month 1

Understand credit ratings

When lenders decide whether to grant you credit and what interest to charge, they calculate your credit rating (also known as a credit score) to assess the likelihood that you will repay what you owe them. They do this by allocating a value to items from your application and your credit report – the personal history of your credit accounts, such as loans, cards and mortgages – and adding them up to get a single number. In general, the higher your score, the easier you’ll find it to get credit.

You don’t have a single credit rating, as every lender uses a different formula. Your credit score also changes over time, as your circumstances change – which is where these tips come in.



Check your credit report

It’s crucial that this is up to date and accurately reflects your circumstances, so lenders don’t turn you down unnecessarily or lend more than you can really afford to repay. Start by getting an overview of your credit accounts and how well you’re managing them. You can see your Experian credit report online with a 30-day free trial of the credit monitoring and ID fraud protection service CreditExpert.

It’s an urban myth that your credit rating suffers every time you look at your own report. In fact, checking your credit report regularly could help you to manage your finances better and build a better credit score.

Month 2

Register to vote at your current address

The electoral roll is used to confirm that you live where you say you do – you may lose points if you don’t appear and lenders may ask you to provide further proof of residence or even turn you down.

Set the record straight

If you find any discrepancies on your report, such as an account that is closed but is listed as open or a late payment that you know you made on time, get in touch with the relevant lender and explain the problem. Be prepared to provide proof and ask them to amend the entry.

Month 3

Give yourself some breathing space

Look for zero per cent balance transfers or spending deals on credit cards, which will give you some breathing space while you sort out your finances – but remember to save up the money to repay them when the introductory period is up.

Close unused accounts

Target unused accounts listed on your credit report and close them down. Lenders take into account the amount you could borrow when they decide what to offer you. Lower that total and you could increase your credit score.

Month 4

Make the most of savings on your mortgage

If you have a tracker mortgage that has benefited from the record lows in interest rates, now’s the time to consider whether paying off more of your home loan will leave you better off rather than using the surplus to repay other debts. Check first that you won’t be penalised for any early repayment.

Rationalise your borrowing

Get out your statements and work out which of your remaining accounts are costing you most in interest, then do your research to see if you can roll them up into a single, less expensive loan. If that’s not possible and you have spare cash, use it to pay off these debts first – you’ll be better off than if you keep the money in the bank and, as your balance falls, your credit rating could rise.

Month 5

Explain yourself

Past financial problems such as missed repayments stay on your credit report for at least three years, while IVAs and bankruptcies are there for a minimum of six years. If special circumstances explain why you got into trouble, you can ask to add a note of explanation that will be seen by lenders. For example, you might have had an accident and skipped a few repayments but have never had any problems before or since.

Sweep up your footprints



Every time you make an application for credit, the lender will search your credit report and leave a record known as a footprint. These stay on your credit report for 12 months and lots of these in a short space of time can make them fear that you’re desperate for money or even suspect that a fraud is being planned, so if you spot something listed as an application when you were only asking for a quotation, contact the lender and ask for it to be removed. When you want to know what kind of a deal you can get, be careful to ask for a quotation search that won’t count against you.

Month 6

Protect your ID



ID fraud is one of the fastest-growing crimes of the 21st century. It takes place when a criminal gets hold of enough of your personal data and impersonates you, take over your accounts, borrow money in your name – and trash your credit rating. When you check your credit report, look out for unfamiliar transactions or applications and tell the lender immediately if you think you’re a victim. The Home Office recommends this as an effective protection.



Update your relationships



One section of your credit report lists your financial associates – people with whom you have a financial relationship, such as a mortgage or joint credit card account. Lenders may check the credit reports of your financial associates when you apply for credit, as their situation could affect your ability to repay what you borrow, so it’s important to ensure that the list is up to date – or you could be penalised for someone else’s financial problems. It’s always best to close joint accounts when a relationship ends.

So how are you doing?

See whether you’ve boosted your credit rating by ordering your Experian Credit Score for £5.95 at any time when you check your Experian credit report with CreditExpert. It won’t be exactly the same as one calculated by a lender but it will demonstrate the impact of your credit history on your credit score and help you to track your progress.



Amanda

justin narin asked:


Your credit rating is something you shouldn’t take for granted. If left to spin out of control, it can cause serious repercussions that will follow you throughout your life. If your credit isn’t the best, or could use an improvement, here are a few ways how you can improve your credit rating.

Make Payments on Time

If you pay your bills late, you’re not only incurring late fees, but you’re also damaging your credit. And if you miss a payment, it’s even worse. Your payment history, even for minor items such as utilities and cable television, is reported to a number of different credit bureaus, so any missed or history of late payments is recorded and weighed against your credit. If you want to build and maintain your credit rating, pay your bills on time and don’t miss any payments. If you have missed payments in the past, get back on track. Your recent payment history counts more than ancient history, so be sure to get back on track… and then stay there.

Pay Off Your Debt

If you have debt, pay it off. Don’t transfer it all to a credit card and then transfer it from card to card to card. If you just move around your debt, you’re not doing anything to pay it down. And even though all your debt might be on your credit card, your credit is still in danger. So, start budgeting to pay off your debt. Pay off that credit card and your other debt payments until nothing remains. If you ignore it, it’s going to haunt you for years to come.

Establish Credit History

Your credit rating is established partially on your credit history. Your credit history is based on the information that your creditors have reported to credit bureaus, including credit cards, loans, and even some utility bills. If you have little to no history, there’s nothing to go off of to establish your rating, so your credit will be established at a lower rate. There are no prior indicators whether or not you’re a delinquent or on-time payer. So, if you want to build your credit, get a credit card, charge a few things, and pay off the majority of the balance. Financial experts recommend keeping your account balances less than 50% of your available credit. It shows that you have the ability to pay back your debt.

Don’t Apply for or Take on Too Many Credit Cards

Having and using a credit card wisely can be beneficial to your credit rating. However, if you’re constantly applying for new credit cards, it can hurt your rating, especially if you’re getting turned down for them. Applying for too many credit cards, in a way, shows that you don’t have enough capital to afford your cost of living on your own income. And if you’re getting turned down by creditors, it’s an indication that your credit standing just isn’t up to par, and other creditors will weigh these rejections against you.

Your credit can make or break you. Your credit rating dictates the interest rate you get on loans and whether or not you qualify for additional credit. If left to grow uncontrollably, your credit can be the death of your ability to purchase a home, a car, or even get basic cable television. If you want to improve your credit score, don’t let it spin out of control. Pay off all debts, continue your credit history, and pay everything on time.

For more articles on Credit Rating visit: http://www.bills.com/credit-score/



Margaret