Does your credit score need a boost to help you get a better rate on the car, credit card, or house that you’ve been eyeing? You may already know who checks your credit score, but we want to teach you how to boost your credit scores to get the loans and credit cards you want.
Before you begin, it is important to check your credit report online. Your report will tell you what is affecting your credit score the most and allow you to determine if there are any items that may need to be disputed.
Remember to prioritize based on the percentages that affect your score the most. We’ve shared facts about your credit score and now we want to provide you with possible solutions.
Pay Your Bills On Time
This may seem simple, but it is one of the most important actions you can take to help your credit score. By paying bills on time, it not only communicates that you can afford to take on more financial liability, but it also shows that lenders can trust you if they provide you with funding.
Pay Off Debt
If lenders see that you have outstanding debt, it makes you look like more of a financial liability. Having no debt is ideal, but if you are unable to pay it all off, it is best to at least keep the balances low on your credit card bills.
Get Credit Cards Only If Necessary
It is good to have credit cards not only to show that you have credit but to display your diligence in paying off your charges. However, if you do decide to get another credit card, make sure that you really need it. It does not look good if you have too many credit cards and you don’t use them.
Don’t Close Unused Credit Cards
Did you have a credit card that you realized you do not need anymore? If we can provide you with any advice, we want to tell you not to close them. By closing an unused credit card, you are decreasing your credit card limit. With a decreased credit card limit, it will affect your credit utilization ratio.
Ask For Higher Credit Limits
If you have the opportunity, ask your credit card issuer if they can give you a higher credit limit without a hard inquiry showing on your credit report. With a higher credit limit on your current cards, it would improve your credit utilization ratio.
Reduce the Inquiries for Your Credit
Every time an inquiry shows on your credit report, your score takes a hit, especially with hard inquiries. Each time you make a request for credit an inquiry could show on your credit report, it may appear that you are trying to qualify numerous lines of credit taking you deeper into debt.
Become An Authorized User
Do you know someone with good credit that you can be an authorized user for? When you become an authorized user with someone that has good credit, it can help your credit look better knowing that they will back you if you fail to keep up with your payments.
Although it takes work to boost your credit score, it is crucial if you ever want to borrow money or get approved for the items you are looking for at a better rate. If you have any questions, feel free to speak with one of our Member Advisors, stop by our Montebello or Cerritos branch today, or contact us here.