Financial Planning

Archive for the ‘Credit Tips’ Category

The reliance of making transactions through credit has been widespread from the late 80′s. This way of completing transaction grew wider and wider to what it is today. This expanding reliance made the major bureaus employ a scoring system. However, this system was developed three decades even before it came into major use. In the late 1950′s, Earl Isaac, a mathematician, and an engineer, Bill Fair, formulated a system that rates a person financial performance.

Today’s system is being used more than ever since its formulation. This system is based on your performance when it comes to managing both your debts, both long-term and short term, and as well as your bills, and applications for credit cards. Much to the misunderstanding of most people, the scores that are being given by this system are not reviewed by creditors in terms of absolute figures. Instead, they review your score based on relative terms.

Meaning they decide whether they should give you a higher or a lower rate of interest based on your distance from the average credit score. The average score varies according to its scope of calculation (be it from country to country, city to city, or from state to state). This is to say that if the scope of calculation were just in the state of South Dakota, the average credit scores would be different, than it would be if the average would be calculated based on Iowa.

Improve your credit scores by correcting mistakes made on your credit report. Many errors can be fixed and help you on your way to improving your credit score.

A credit report is a historical listing of all financial transactions you have had for the past five years. Every credit card you own or owned, anything you financed, all types of loans, defaults, late payments, serious credit infringements, and information on public record are all listed on your credit report. Call it your “report card” for personal financing information. And just like school, you get graded upon your performance or lack there of. But many times, the information listed is too old or inaccurate or just plain wrong; and only you can fix it.

An often overlooked aspect of your life is the management and maintenance of your credit history. Why? Because no one ever does it, no one ever bothers.

And yet, just like the all too often forgotten yearly physical, you should be checking and adjusting your credit report every year.

By ordering your credit report, you can see if there is any incorrect information in it and take steps to work with the credit bureaus to make changes to it.

The reason why should be obvious – ever been denied credit? Well, that denial was probably based upon your credit report! Here are just a few reasons to check your credit history at least once a year:

People with poor credit history usually immediately assume that they no longer have any choice when looking for a credit card and just sign up for the first one that will approve their application. This is true in the sense that you will definitely not qualify for low interest cards, and only get approved for credit cards with high interest rates. However, if you have a poor credit history, you still have choices, especially if you look at it in the perspective of finding a card that will suit your current situation the best.

Before anything else, as someone with a poor credit history, one of the most important motives (if not the only) you should have for getting a credit card at this point is to help rebuild your credit history. Of course the easy access to credit that a card will give you is helpful, but that shouldn’t be your focus. Instead, you should focus on getting a card so that you can rebuild your trustworthiness in the eyes of creditors by showing them that you now know how to use your credit card wisely.

With that in mind, you will find that your approach to credit card comparison will greatly differ from that of normal credit card applicants.

The biggest difference is perhaps in the emphasis you put on the interest rates.

While finding a card with a relatively low interest rate is desirable, interest rates will not be the primary factor you should consider in finding a card. The same goes for the other fees charged by the card.

As you no doubt realize, your credit report contains a great deal of personal information about you. For example it has a history of your addresses over the past several years, if you pay your bills on time, any lawsuits you may have been involved in, arrests and if you have filed bankruptcy in the past. All of this information is collected and then sold by the 3 major credit companies to many different places if you allow it and they make the request. If any of this information is incorrect, you may need to use the credit repair tips – disputing credit report errors.

One of my first credit repair tips in this article is, do not authorize people or companies to pull your credit report unless you have very good reason for doing so. If you are applying for credit, this is a good reason. This would include things like opening a credit card account applying for an auto loan or mortgage etc.

The information is needed for your creditor to make a decision and determine your interest rate.

Now-a-days you have to allow insurance companies to see your report before they give you a quote on auto insurance. How your credit score affects the way we drive is something I will never understand.

Let me tell you a little story. When I bought a house, my auto insurance went up on the next renewal period. Then…….. sorry, I got off topic. Ask me some time, I have a great experience on this one.

Credit is something that we all must have and protect. Most people tend to forget about it and it can easily be ruined. From loans to charge cards we must watch how we hand these things as they can all have a bearing on your financial future. Getting the best personal credit possible will take some work on your part, but you can do it. Here are some simple tips to help you manage your debts and keep your rating as high as possible.

Maintaining a good rating is something that you will need to work at. Starting by sticking to a budget. Many times people have no budget in place and will spend more than they need too. When this happens more debt will occur and problems may creep into your financial life.

Know where all your spending is going on a weekly and monthly basis. My keeping tabs on your expenses you will have a better idea where you stand financially.

Every month look over your financial account to see where you happen to stand. This will take some work on your part, but worth it in the end.

Always try to pay your bills on time or before they are due. Most people wait until to the last minute and you will want to try and avoid this. Paying early means you know the payment will be there and posted much earlier. Sometimes it may take a company a few days to post it so having it there early is always a good idea.