Credit is a key part of your financial health, and it can impact many aspects of your life. A healthy credit score makes it easier to qualify for financing, rent an apartment or save on auto insurance. However, a low credit score can make it harder to get loans or credit cards, and may cost you more in terms of interest charges.
While it takes time to improve your credit, there are several things you can do to help move the needle on your score. We’ve rounded up articles that cover everything from disputing errors on your credit report to managing your debt load, so whether you’re in the early stages of rebuilding or trying to overcome bad habits, we have tips for every stage.
The first step in fixing your credit is reviewing each of your reports from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax for errors. You are legally entitled to one free report per year from each of the three credit bureaus, so check for mistakes as soon as possible. Once a dispute is submitted, the credit reporting agency has 30 days to investigate and delete inaccurate information from your report.
Aside from errors, you can also work on improving your credit by paying bills on time and keeping balances low. A good strategy is to set up automatic payments on each of your cards to ensure you always pay the minimum amount due each month. You can also sign up for free credit monitoring to get real-time alerts when your utilization changes. Another option is to use Experian Boost(r)o, which automatically credits you for on-time rental, utility and certain streaming service payments that aren’t typically reported to the credit bureaus, instantly boosting your credit score.
There are plenty of companies that claim to fix your credit, but not all are legitimate. If you decide to go with a credit repair company, be sure to research them thoroughly. Look for a reputable organization that provides detailed pricing and services, offers a money-back guarantee and is willing to answer your questions. In addition, avoid companies that charge upfront fees to begin the process.
The majority of credit repair companies earn their profits by deleting negative information from your credit report, often errors. But that’s only a small part of fixing your credit, and you could do it yourself for much less money. Here’s how. how to fix my credit