We all go through periods of time when we struggle with money. To buy the items we need, we often over finance with credit cards. If you have ever reached your credit limits without being able to pay off your cards each month, your credit score has probably suffered. There are many ways to repair your credit, from paying off all of your balances to establishing a long credit history.
The minimum credit card payment is not all you can pay, try to pay over that amount. Paying higher than the minimum payments looks excellent on a credit report and will contribute to a higher FICO score. It also helps your finances by lowering the amount of interest you are paying which will save you money.
Open and maintain around 2 to 4 different credit cards. It’s tempting to use less, but it will take a lot longer to rebuild your credit with only one account. Using more than 4 cards makes the impression that you aren’t managing your debt well. Keep your balances low on all of the accounts and keep them paid on time.
If disputing an account with the credit agency does not produce results, dispute it with the actual creditor. Send them a letter through the mail advising them that you do not believe that the debt is yours and request that they provide you written proof of the debt. If the account is older, chances are they will not have the records. If they cannot prove the debt they must remove it from your credit report.
Pay down credit card debt. Most people carry a debt on their credit cards, usually at an exorbitant interest rate. By paying the minimum amount each month, you will only be making a small dent on the balance. If you have any excess cash, you should start trying to pay off the credit card that has the highest interest rate. Once you have paid off that debt, focus on your other cards in the same manner. Always pay down the debt of the card with the highest interest rate, first.
No matter the reasons for your credit score being lower than you would like, you have many options for improving your score. Most important is to stick with your plans. Pay down your debts and keep your credit accounts open to establish a long credit history and you will be on your way to a better score in no time.
