Why do you have to add "improve credit score" to your "to do" list?

Buy groceries...check...pay bills...check, get haircut...check...improve credit score...huh?

That's what I said when I realized that I had to do it.

After doing much homework on the subject, it dawned on me that if I wanted to have "improve credit score" checked off, I had to make a real effort to get it done.
You see my friends, improving your credit score is just like everything else: it just doesn't happen by itself, you have to wake up one morning and decide that you will get it done.

But Al, you say, it's a pain.

I agree...but it's alot less pain than getting hit with high interest rates or, worst of all, getting denied any credit because your deemed too risky.

Also, understand that there is no quick fix or magical formula to improve credit score.

Don't get scammed into thinking that way. If it were that easy, everyone's credit would be excellent.

Instead, focus on the things that you need to do.

If you've made the decision to improve your credit score, congratulations.

Now, write down the date of your decision and your goal. Once you find out your credit score, then you could write down what score you want (be realistic) and how long it'll take.

I suggest 6 months to a year.

Ready to begin? You know some if not most of these but here they are:

1.) Protect your identification by shredding any papers you're going to throw away that has your info on it.

2.) Be careful to not give away your social security number and other id information to people you don't know by the phone, mail, or email.

3.) Check your FICO scores and review your credit reports consistently.

4.) Follow through on correcting any errors...yes, I know it's a pain, but again, look at the long term: it will significantly improve your credit score.

5.) For clean credit, pay your bills on time. (Check out my money worksheet page - it'll help improve credit score woes.)

6.) Get these numbers: Your total credit debt and your total available credit (you will need to add it for each if you have a few accounts). Now divide total credit debt by total available credit. This is your Debt-To-Available-Credit Ratio. Your job is to lower this number.

How?

Pay off balances and or limit your credit spending.

7.) You know this already...when you pay off accounts...don't close them all.

8.) When you do look for new credit, keep it to a short period of time to lessen the chance of getting hit on your credit report.

Now..back to my list...improve credit score...check!

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