Getting your credit score back up on its feet can be more difficult than you think. While you are rebuilding your credit score, you are trying to show the lenders that despite the slip-ups, you will diligently make all the payment on time in the future. So, to help you pave away, here are 7 smart ways to rebuild credit score.
Know what your credit score is
This is one of the 7 smart ways to rebuild your credit score, which is basic and yet, extremely important. Knowing what your current credit score is must be the first thing that you do when you start to rebuild it. There are various agencies that can help you pull out your credit reports. Take help from them.
Do not defer your payments, ever
Another important tip to help you rebuild the credit score is to make sure that you are paying on time. You must ensure that all your existing lines of credit are being paid without any delays. If you cannot manage to pay the entire amount, pay only the minimum. In case you are not even able to manage the minimum payments, talk to your creditor, and chalk out a plan that can help you, at least for the time being.
Keep maximum credit limit available
It is recommended by experts to not utilize more than 30 percent of your credit limit on any credit card. The higher your credit limit, the better it is for your credit score. Keep the credit utilization on all your cards under check. If any of the cards is exceeding, try to bring it down immediately.
Have a secure credit card
If a bad credit score has forced all your credit card accounts to close down, it is time to start from scratch and get a secure credit card. For these cards, you will have to put a deposit upfront, which becomes your credit limit. Make sure you pick an issuer that reports payments to all the top credit-reporting bureaus.
Build better spending habits
It all comes down to managing your finances and putting control over your spending habits that can land you in trouble. Not just that, you also need to replace those bad spending habits with some habits that can financially benefit you. If you do not get rid of the bad habits, it is highly likely that you will end up damaging your credit score again.
Get yourself added as an authorized user
You can ask your family members or a friend to add you as an authorized user of their credit card. This gives a boost to your credit score. You do not have to make any changes to the existing account or do any transactions. You just need your name registered as an authorized user.
Get a loan for building credit
These are known as credit-builder loans, and they have only one purpose – to help you build your credit score. You can avail of these from a community bank or a credit union. To avail the loan, you will either have to be a member or a customer. Proof of income and your ability to repay the loan will have to be submitted to get the loan.
