Susanne Myers asked: So, you’ve made a few mistakes, or maybe just had some bad luck. One way or another you ended up with some bad credit, which usually means you have a low credit score making it harder for you to get any type of loan, especially a mortgage to purchase a home. What you need is a strategy to fix your credit and do so fast. Here are some tips to get you started.
Tip#1 To Fix Bad Credit – Stop Spending
The first thing you should do to fix your bad credit is to stop spending money. Cut back to essentials only until you get your debt under control. Put away your credit cards, cut out unnecessary spending like going out to dinner or the movies. Don’t buy electronics, clothes or furniture unless you absolutely need them. Take a look at your cable and phone bills and see if you can’t downsize to lower-cost plans. Take a look at every dollar you spent throughout the month and determine if you can’t save it and work on paying off you debt instead.
Tip#2 To Fix Bad Credit – Check Your Credit Report
Get a copy of your credit report and carefully read through it. You may just find some charges and debts on there that aren’t actually yours. If you can clear up just one of those, your credit rating can improve quite significantly.
Tip#3 To Fix Bad Credit – Avoid Bankruptcy
While it may seem easier at first glance to just wipe the slate clean by declaring bankruptcy, you should avoid it whenever possible. The fact that you went bankrupt will stay on your credit report for 7 years and will thus affect any future credits you apply for. Work with your creditors or even a non-profit debt consolidation company to avoid having to file for bankruptcy.
Tip#4 To Fix Bad Credit – Make Regular Payments On Time
You should diligently make payments and make them on time for your existing debt. A good payment history is the most surefire way to improve your credit. The key is to not be late with your payments. When you restructure your debt, or when you create new debt, make sure you will be able to make your payments in full on time. It takes a little while before you see your credit score rise, but stick with it and make those payments and your credit will improve.
Tip#5 To Fix Bad Credit – Open Small Accounts – Carefully
This is a great tip, but you have to be very careful not to get into worse trouble. The idea is to improve your credit score by opening small credit accounts, like secure credit cards and charge small amounts to them each month. Now the next step is absolutely crucial…You need to be able to pay them of at the end of the month.
Tip#6 To Fix Bad Credit – Get An American Express Card
Along the same lines as the previous tips, try to get an American express card. Charge some money to it each month and pay it off as soon as the bill comes in. Again, be careful with this. You don’t want to damage your credit score more by not being able to pay the charges at the end of the month. And don’t just make minimum payments; pay it off in full at the end of the month. Rinse and repeat the next month. American express cards seem to give you more points faster on your credit score than other credit cards.
Alfred
