Building a strong credit score is the key to being an attractive borrower for lenders, as it shows that you have been reliable with debts in the past. Even though many lenders offer no credit check loans, it is best to put some work into improving your score, and there is a time lag of about 6 months with credit scores.
More than 50 million Americans have either no credit score, or have such a limited record that they would struggle to secure a loan. This guide aims to explain how to improve your credit score, as well as show you some resources to help you along the way.
What Is A Credit Score, And What Does A Good One Look Like?
A credit score helps lenders decide whether to approve an individual for a loan. A credit score is represented by a number between 300 and 850 and reflects how reliable a borrower you have been previously. In the US, the average score is around 698, and you can check your score via the FICO website. The higher your score the better, but don’t worry – you will be able to locate a loan even if your credit score isn’t ideal.
Your credit score is a number between 300 and 850 – the higher, the stronger!
How is My Credit Score Calculated?
Your credit score is calculated using a variety of factors, including:
- Payment history: This is the most important factor in determining your credit score, and includes how quickly you pay your bills off (e.g. car payments, credit card payments).
- Credit utilization: Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you are using. A good rule of thumb is to keep your credit utilization below 30%.
- Length of credit history: The longer your credit history is, the better your credit score will be.
- Recent inquiries: When you apply for new credit, it can cause a temporary dip in your credit score.
- Debt mix: Lenders may like to see a variety of credit types on your credit report, such as credit cards and mortgages.
How Do I Improve My Credit Score?
Some tips to improve your credit score include the following:
- Joining the electoral roll
- Paying off any existing debts, credit cards and loans
- Always paying off your loans and debts on time
- Avoid having too many credit cards
- Use credit builder credit cards or pay off small debts slowly
- Avoid making too many applications in a short space of time
Do I Need Debt To Build A Credit Score?
No! One common means of building a credit record is by paying back debts on time, but there are plenty of other factors which feed into your score.
Improving your credit score can be simple. For example, you could link a regular payment, like a direct debit to Spotify, to your credit report. There are lots of available financial products, including Experian go, which helps you to link accounts in your name to your credit report. So, if you’re paying for Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, or Prime on a regular basis, this could be helping your credit score!
If you don’t have such subscriptions, you could link utility or phone bills to your record and reap the same benefits.
There are plenty of ways to improve your credit score. Having a credit card in your name is one.
What Else Can I Do To Better My Score?
You could become an authorized user on somebody else’s credit card, who already has strong credit. For many, this is a parent, sibling or friend. If you are amassing debt on someone else’s card, you should ensure you will be able to pay it off to protect your relationship.
One steadfast way to strengthen your credit score is through using your own credit card. You can set limits on your spending abilities to ensure that you spend sensibly while improving your credit history.
Otherwise, you could apply for a secured credit card. For this product, you need to put down a deposit to acquire the card. Your line of credit will generally match the deposit you’ve put down. Let’s say your deposit was $100, your line of credit will be $100, too.
You could also join the electoral register. While it may seem unrelated, the electoral register records your personal information, which verify your identity for lenders making it easier for them to approve you. This is totally free for you to do, acting as a benefit for you and your potential lender.
In any case, when aiming to improve your credit score, don’t miss payments! These scar your credit record for up to 6 years, and work against you. If you know you will struggle to meet your living costs, you could consider seeking an alternative loan, or asking a loved one for help.
Will Low Credit Impact The Terms Of My Loan Agreement?
Yes, but don’t worry. Plenty of borrowers have experienced financial troubles in the past. In fact, 75% of payday loan borrowers have taken one out before. You will, most likely, be able to secure a loan with poor credit, it just may be slightly more expensive because of your credit score (see also: Personal Loans For Bad Credit).
This is because lenders are lending money to borrowers who have been known to default on payments. As such, they may charge higher interest on loans to such borrowers. As long as you pay back your loan as quickly as possible, this shouldn’t be too damaging, but it is something to keep in mind.
Even if you have bad credit, you can still apply for a loan whether it is to borrow $500, $600, or even $3000.
