The rising cost of living, high interest rates and poor spending habits have resulted to many Americans suffering from poor credit ratings. If you are among these unfortunate individuals, it is time to do something about it. Having a poor credit rating can be remedied effectively, although it may take some time.

You should begin with determining how bad tour credit rating really is. Credit reports from any of the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) are available for just under $10. Knowing how your finances look to creditors will help you device a recovery plan. Here are some effective tips to improve your credit score.

• Open a savings/checking account - request a secured card from your bank and make sure that you never overdraft. In no time at all, you would soon be receiving credit card applications.
• Apply for a “bad credit” credit card - These cards usually have higher interest rates but they do report to the credit card bureaus regularly. If you work hard at making sure that all purchases are paid on time and in full, your credit report will soon be reflecting how “good” you are.
• Scrutinize your spending habits – many people do not realize that their spending habits should complement their lifestyle. Try to make a list of all your needs and wants. If you can not resist putting the “new bag” under needs, then make sure you have the CASH for it.
• Stick to your plan – aside from establishing credit through a credit card and making a budget, you also have to work on your other debts. Never miss a single payment on your mortgage or car loan for they could also help improve your credit score.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007 at 8:27 pm and is filed under General, Credit Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.