Improve Your Credit Score In 3 Simple Ways

Many people think you need a magician to help fix your credit score. That’s not true!

One major factor in your credit is how much revolving credit you have versus how much you’re actually using. The smaller that percentage is, the better it is for your credit rating. Experts suggest that the optimum: 30 percent or lower. If you need to boost your credit, it won’t happen overnight. Credit scores take into account years of past behavior you can find on your credit report, and not just your present actions. But there are some steps you can take now to start on the path to better credit.

1.Pay bills on time

If you’re planning a major purchase (like a home or a car), you might be scrambling to assemble one big chunk of cash.While you’re juggling bills, you don’t want to start paying bills late. Even if you’re sitting on. a pile of savings, a drop in your score could scuttle that dream deal.One of the biggest ingredients in a good credit score is simply month after month of plain-vanilla, on-time payments.“Credit scores are determined by what’s on your credit report,” says Linda Sherry, director of national priorities for Consumer Action. If you’re bad about paying your bills — or paying them on time, it damages your credit and hurts your credit score, she says.

2. Watch those credit card balances

To boost your score, “pay down your balances, and keep those balances low,” says Pamela Banks, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union. If you have multiple credit card balances, consolidating them with a personal loan could help your score. What you might not know: Even if you pay balances in full every month, you still could have a higher utilization ratio than you’d expect. That’s because some issuers use the balance on your statement as the one reported to the bureau. Even if you’re paying balances in full every month, your credit score will still weigh your monthly balances. One strategy: See if the credit card issuer will accept multiple payments throughout the month. If you’re interested in how to cut some of your monthly living costs in half be sure to check out “How To Cut Some Monthly Expenses In Half”

3. What’s A Good Credit Score?

Watch this score video to have a basic understanding of what a good credit score is!