The best way to improve your credit scores is to manage credit responsibly over time. Obviously the best way to do that is to pay your bills on time every month. It’s important to live below your means so that you have enough money every month to pay them. None of the techniques I’m going to share with you will work long-term if you can’t get your spending habits under control.
Here are some quick tips to help you improve your credit scores now:
Learn How the Credit System Works.
If you don’t know how this game works, you’re never going to win it. It’s just something that every single consumer is going to have to eventually learn in their life time. The sooner you learn, the better off your life will be. Yes, your credit scores are that important. Don’t listen to what a friend of a friend told you about credit that he heard from his parents. There’s a lot of misinformation getting spread around. Get your information from the top financial sites and books on the subject.
Keep Your Credit Card Balances Low.
High balances on credit cards and other revolving accounts hurt your scores. Try to keep your balances below 30% of your available credit limit. Never let it get above 50%. This is so important. Never give the appearance to the banks that you are “strapped”. Once you let them see that you’re using almost all of the credit made available to you, it appears to them that you are in a state of financial emergency. It’s calculated in the FICO scoring algorithm and everything. At that time, only very high interest rate lenders will give you a loan.
Apply New Credit Accounts Only as Needed.
Applying for new accounts lowers your credit scores; especially if you apply for too many in a short period of time. If you know you have bad credit, don’t apply for anything. It’s ridiculous how some people know they have bad credit, but still keep trying. “It’s worth a try.” No, it’s not. Every time you “try” you lower your scores even more – STOP!
Remove Negative Accounts.
This is my favorite. This is what credit repair is all about. Learn how to get negative accounts removed from your credit reports or hire a credit repair agency to do it for you. Removing such accounts is probably the single fastest way to raise your credit scores.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Credit Articles
Ways for You to Repair Credit
By: wangcan | 05/09/2008
It's good for you to have fantastic credit. It's increasingly important to have good or even great credit in order to secure a loan with good terms. Whether you are just starting out on your own or have been managing your finances for years. You should learn how to fix your credit on your own. You have the ability to repair your money problems.
What Can A Chase Freedom Card Offer Me?
By: Kristi Ambrose | 05/09/2008
Chase also offers other things besides credit cards such as banking options, business solutions, investment programs, insurance and personal lending programs. Personally this is a good thing because they don't just specialize in credit cards like a lot of other brands, they also offer more professional services as well.
The Case for Credit Cards
By: Justin Scarborough | 04/09/2008
There are many different opinions on the pros and cons of credit cards. Nearly all of us use them to some degree, but is it a good idea?
Emergency Debt Relief Credit Debt Counseling
By: Lee Beattie | 04/09/2008
Have your found yourself in a spot where you experience a stack of bills and no money to pay them? Some people are learning that emergency debt relief credit debt counseling is supplying them with the emergency debt relief that they require by supplying them with financial services that help them to get out of debt.
Everyone Should Know About Credit Report Basics
By: Lee Beattie | 04/09/2008
Most people tend to find out about their credit report when they apply for loans or look to get a line of credit. These people might want to know the credit report basics prior to looking into any of these types of loans or lines of credit but don't. Every credit agency uses the basic formulas to determine your credit worthiness so don't you think you should know how your credit report basics should be looked at.
Which Is The Best American Express Gold For You?
By: Kristi Ambrose | 04/09/2008
Some of the gold cards that American Express offer are The Gold Card Small Business, Gold Delta SkyMiles Business, and SimplyCash Business Card. The following stats allow you to see some of the options that these three cards have, such as intro APR, annual fee and any added extras such as points, cash back or rewards
Is Your Credit Card Safe?
By: Liu Yan | 04/09/2008
Credit card fraud is becoming more and more common and thieves are getting cleverer. How safe is your credit card and how aware are you of the various credit card scams around?
Every Debt Problem Has a Solution
By: J Tillotson | 04/09/2008
With so many of Britain's population in debt, it stands to reason that one single solution will not suit everyone. There are many ways to solve debt problems, and this is a quick guide to the most common.
More from Chane Steiner
Palisades Collection Agency
By: Chane Steiner | 24/06/2008 | Credit
Palisade describes itself as an "American diversified financial services company."
Collection Agencies: Midland Credit Management
By: Chane Steiner | 24/06/2008 | Credit
Encore Capital Group, Inc. and its subsidiary, Midland Credit Management, Inc. claim to provide innovative methods for the mutual benefit of their customers and the debtors that they pursue simultaneously.
Credit Repair: Improve Your Credit Rating Quickly!
By: Chane Steiner | 23/06/2008 | Credit
In America, you can't even walk down the street without somebody wanting to check your credit. If you suffer from bad credit, then you need to learn techniques to improve your credit rating - and you need to learn them now!
Credit Repair: Improve Your Credit Fast!
By: Chane Steiner | 23/06/2008 | Finance
Simple tips you can use to improve your credit rating!
Credit Repair: How to Raise Your Credit Scores
By: Chane Steiner | 17/06/2008 | Credit
If you need to raise your credit score, the first thing that you need to do is find out exactly where you stand in regards to credit. Everyone has a number assigned to their name between 300 and 850. This number dictates your ability to receive loans as well as the interest rates that you will have to pay on them. It also determines your ability to get a credit card or buy/rent the housing that you desire.
Gc Services
By: Chane Steiner | 16/06/2008 | Credit
GC Services is a data processing service provider that doubles as one of the nation's most effective collection agencies for delinquent accounts receivable. They claim to be the largest private collection agency in North America.
Credit Repair: Dealing With Debt Collectors
By: Chane Steiner | 16/06/2008 | Credit
Dealing with debt collectors is an art - just as is the way that they attempt to deal with you. Your credit rating is important, and they know that. Professional debt collectors spend every day using techniques that are proven to get results for them. They will hone in on your apparent weaknesses if you show any. It is your credit rating at stake any time that you are dealing with a debt collector.
Collection Agencies: What are They and How Do They Work?
By: Chane Steiner | 16/06/2008 | Credit
Small businesses and other organizations used third party collection agencies to collect money that is owed to them. The time, energy and human resources necessary to collect overdue account balances distract their workforces from concentrating on core business responsibilities.
Finance 
