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The improvement of the financial situation is an unquestionable necessity. Every mature person understands how money impacts the quality of life, living standards, education attainment, business expansion plans, and personal relationships. Therefore, actions that enhance our economic stability and move us to a better status are things that no one can be against. However, how could that all happen?
In the capitalist world today, banks and other financial institutions are our sanctuaries. They are our means for living the day and designing our future. Therefore, we need to be very responsible with our money accounts. True that accounts, whether current, debit, credit, or business, facilitate our daily life, but wisdom should accompany our actions. Relying solely on accounts, particularly credit cards, cannot be taken for granted.
If you have doubts about your credit card management abilities, have a dose of learning. While presenting the credit card score and discussing its details, this article shows how to clean your credit in 30 days.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number that helps lenders understand whether borrowers are creditworthy. To put it another way, it is a measurement technique of debt payment abilities. The latter has an impact on the loan amount permitted and the interest rate.
Why Does the Credit Score Matter?
When it comes to financial identity, the credit score holds all the power. Every time you apply for a loan, lenders look at your credit score. They predict your future financial performance by looking at how you have proceeded in the past. Lenders need such information to forecast consumer behavior, avoid risks, and make a reasonable decision about creditworthiness. Therefore, it should sound neither far-fetched nor scary.
Primarily, when borrowers have a healthy credit score, they will have a wide range of loaning options with the best possible rates. Lenders will be ready to offer both short-term payday loans and longer-term loans such as three months payday loans or business loans. It is for the best of borrowers’ interest to keep the score of their credit up.
Higher scores are likely to deem borrowers eligible for loans and credit cards. Lower scores prevent them from acquiring loans at the most favorable terms. Alternatively, applying for a mortgage, getting a decent car loan, and saving money for a getaway trip fly out of the window too. Moreover, potential employers might ask job candidates permission for getting credit report during the application process. Candidates can be denied a job because of bad credit depending on the state where they live.
What Factors Affect Your Credit Score?
Checking the credit score entails examining the number of loans applied for and the amounts borrowed. It also requires checking whether payments were made as per initial loan agreements. Apart from that, lenders will examine account types and the frequency of applying for a new credit loan. These are all factors that affect the credit score.
How is the Credit Score Calculated?
Credit calculating agencies apply a specific mathematical algorithm on the credit report. Many of these agencies are now available online. The main data pieces influencing the credit score calculation algorithm are:
1. The new credit inquiry (10%)
2. Current credit utilization ratio (CUR) (30%)
3. Length of credit history (15%)
4. Last two years’ payment history (35%)
5. Types of credit accounts in use (10%)
It is important to remember that the higher the score, the higher the potential for loan approval with low interest.
What is the Average Credit Score?
Generally, the average credit score ranges between 300 and 850. We say generally, as the score depends on the calculation model in use. This range is subdivided into categories that help lenders understand the creditworthiness of the cardholder. Below is a table that describes these categories in a general manner:
| Credit Score Range | Credit Score Category |
| 800 – 850 | Excellent |
| 740 – 799 | Very Good |
| 670 – 739 | Good |
| 580 – 669 | Fair |
| 300 – 579 | Bad |
What is a Bad Credit Score?
As noticed, any score below 579 is considered a bad credit score. This number can slightly change depending on the lenders’ strategy and their loan providing capacity. However, there is a room for improvement that credit cardholder needs to consider.
What to Expect with a Bad Credit Score?
Bad credit score means having loan disapproval or at least paying higher interest rates. Bad credit score owners never qualify for 0% interest credit cards or personal loans of single digit interest rates. They may even get stuck paying utility deposits that people with high credit score do not need to worry about.
How Long Does It Take to Improve Credit Score?
Credit reporting bureaus and agencies update the credit score data when lenders provide new information. This occurs once a month, or at least once every 45 days. When reading the credit report, check the line that indicates the date of updating the score. In this respect, as a credit cardholder, you have a slot of month to improve your credit status. This period can be stretched if you can delay inquiring a new loan. On how to clean your credit in 30 days or at least increase credit score by 100 points in 30 days, the following paragraph provides essential steps.
How to Raise Credit Score In 30 Days?
Knowing the factors that influence the credit score calculation, it is easier to concentrate on how to improve the credit score.
Step#1. Review Your Credit Report
You can request your credit report from the three main credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. That helps to highlight the factors that are influencing your credit status more than the others. Remember that the payment history and current credit utilization ratio are among the most important aspects. Going through the credit card report also helps to figure out any potential errors or whether any of your accounts are marked past due or deactivated. In such cases, you can initiate a dispute with the bureau that has inaccurate information.
Step#2. Pay Your Bills on Time
Borrowers’ attitude towards their payment installments is considered a good predictor of future performance. Therefore, make sure you stick to your payment schedule and pay off all your credit card debt on time. Aggregate debts and revolving balances have a negative impact on the credit card score. Debts can be paid in many methods such as personal loans, redeeming received points/rewards or transferring funds from another account that offers the amount with a lower or no interest rate.
Step#3. Keep Low Utilization Ratio on Your Credit Card
People with high credit scores have a low credit utilization ratio (CUR). It is recommended for the CUR not to exceed 30%. Excellent credit scores usually have a CUR that does not go above 10%.
To calculate the CUR, divide the total credit cards’ balance by the total credit cards’ limit. The percentage is then calculated by multiplying the result by 100. You may calculate the CUR of each card separately. However, what matters is the ratio resulting from the utilization of all the credit cards you own. In any case, what credit cardholders need to do is to lower the total balance of their credit cards.
Step#4. Negotiate Increment of Credit Card Limit
Request the card issuer to increase your credit card limit. Such a move will instantly reduce the CUR and revolving debt. As a result, the credit score will rise right away.
Step#5. Become an Authorized User of Another User’s Credit Card Account
Becoming an authorized user of someone else’s credit card account is advantageous. It helps build credit if the authorized individual handles the account correctly. Finally, a credit report is generated, showing a new credit record of the authorized person. This has a direct impact on the CUR factor.
Step#6. Open Credit or Other Accounts Only When Necessary
Having multiple accounts may lead to a tough situation. You may have the obligation of spending more money on retaining accounts. You might also have to deal with cases of financial mismanagement. Having multiple accounts does not necessarily mean a better credit score. However, it may alert lenders regarding the credit cardholder’s credit utilization habits. Therefore, if you have more than one credit account, make sure you charge small amounts on each and repay the balances off responsibly.
Step#7. Apply for Credit Card Loans with Caution
Lenders check the borrowers’ recent financial actions and the number of loan inquiries. That takes place, especially during the first 14 days of applying for a loan. As mentioned earlier, new credit inquiry influences the credit score by 10%. Therefore, take the loan applications seriously. Never apply for a loan unless you improve your credit score.
Step#8. Build an Excellent Credit History
What lenders care about is your credit history over the last two years. So, if you are thinking of applying for a car loan or mortgage, keep this timeframe in mind for building an excellent credit history. During this period, try to use the credit card instead of your other accounts. This helps you prove your financial management abilities when your credit history is being reviewed. Again, never overspend and pay your bills on time.
Step#9. Apply for a Secured Credit Card
It is a good idea to apply for a secured credit card with a limit equal to the cash payment installed earlier for securing the card. In this way, the card can be used just like your other accounts for covering your various expenses. However, it is essential to maintain a low balance.
Step#10. Get a Credit Builder Loan
A credit builder loan helps people with bad or no credit history build credit. While you make payments, the borrowed amount resides in a bank account building or improving the desired credit score. You can also apply for a credit builder loan through an online loan network.
Step#11. Ask for Advice
Many financial institutions offer financial management assistance to their customers. They can design special debt management plans that help to cover bills on time in the right way without affecting the credit score negatively. Debt relief companies massively help credit cardholders reduce their credit card balance. They provide consultation starting from clients’ objectives. Such firms are even capable of discussing your needs with creditors on your behalf.
As people looking forward to better financial status, we are in constant search. We look for means that bring about the desired change. The greater the dream, the more effort it will take to realize it. Knowing how to maintain a good credit score might mean bringing a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Therefore, make sure you are aware of the ways of cleaning your credit records. Remember, you always must engage yourself to efficiently manage your finances and build your credit score.
