Understanding the Difference Between Credit Card Bad Credit and General Bad Credit

If you think all bad credit is created equal then you don't understand the differences between credit card bad credit and the other types of bad credit out there. How much of a difference does it make? Believe it or not, quite a bit. Some bad credit isn't too bad at all, while credit card bad credit can prevent you from getting a car or a home. If you want to understand why credit card bad credit is worse than the other forms of bad credit, here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Understand Your Credit Report

The first step in understanding the differences between credit card bad credit and other types of bad credit is in understanding your credit report and the information it contains.

Your credit report consists of a multitude of facts pertaining to your payment history. In addition to your credit card activities, things like car loans, utility bills and even unpaid medical bills show up on this report. When a creditor looks at this report, they don't just see whether you make your payments on time, they see if you've ever been sued, claimed bankruptcy, let medical bills go, etc.

2. Realize That Bad Things Happen to Good People

Let's say you work for ABC Bank. It is your job to approve or deny mortgage applications. You have three applications in front of you. Let's see who you would approve.

Applicant A has a credit rating of 595. This person has paid their credit cards on time except for a period of one month when two of her cards were 30 days late. There are also quite a few unpaid hospital bills from this period, but you have a note saying there is a dispute with the insurance company and that is why the medical bills have not been paid. Other than that, her credit looks clean. This is general bad credit.

Now you look at the credit report from Applicant B. He's also got a credit rating of 595, but he doesn't have unpaid hospital bills. Just a bunch of late credit card payments and a missed car payment or two. This is credit card bad credit.

Now we're on to Applicant C. This person also has a credit rating of 595, but she's maxed out all of her credit cards and has been only making minimum monthly payments. She's made a few late payments recently, and you have a feeling it's because she's over-extended her credit. Again, it's a case of credit card bad credit.

Who would you approve? Starting to see the picture?

3. Keep In Mind It's Not Bad Forever

So are you doomed if you have credit card bad credit? No. However, you will be if you don't change your ways. You're going to have to make your payments on time each and every time for at least 6 months before your credit takes an upward climb. Remember, credit card bad credit may be ugly and it may be hard to get out of, but it's not the end of your financial world.