October 1st, 2008
What Does a Credit Score Really Mean?
Out of all of the credit related terms consumers have to deal with, a credit score may be one of the least understood. Credit scoring is a standard developed to help companies and banks determine overall risk. Your credit is important. A low score is considered to be a bad thing, while a high score, over 800, is considered to be ideal. Currently, the average American has a score that comes in right around 640, which is considered fair.
Your credit score can come between you and many things in life. Since this is the accepted standard for many companies, a low score means having to pay higher interest rates, if you can get a loan at all. It can also mean that you will have to pay higher deposits on phone bills, cellular phone plans and many other services. While this may not seem fair to the average consumer, it is done by companies to figure out whether or not they can rely on you to pay your bills on time.
Generally, those with a lower score have issues with paying their debts, or paying them on time. This indicates to companies and banks that the person is a high risk case and if they do decide to go ahead with the loan or service, they must protect themselves from that risk by charging more. It is an excepted practice, and can hamper the lives of many people.
Even a 640 score can be a detriment when it comes to getting a loan. This means that you are a moderate risk to a bank, and given the current state of the economic climate, that is too much risk for the average bank. It isn’t until you get your credit score up past 750 that getting a loan will be a breeze.
Knowing this, how can the average consumer work to get their credit score up to an acceptable level? The first step is to monitor your score on a regular basis. This can help you spot potential trouble signs before they get out of control. Errors are common on credit reports and in many cases, these errors can drag your score down.
The best way to keep a steady score is to keep paying your bills on time, every single month. Keep your balances low on your credit cards, and pay more than minimum payment. Closing your credit accounts is not recommended, since this can also lower your score, but you do want to free up your available credit as much as possible.
These simple steps can help you repair your credit score and help you raise it over time. Getting rid of collection accounts can have a dramatic effect on your credit score, as well as limiting how many new accounts you open. Smart money management however is the absolute key towards getting a great score and over time, the effort you have put in will pay you back with lower interest rates and a greater ability to get the loans you need.
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