There are a lot of ways to damage your credit score, from falling for a credit card scam to just bei...

1. Bad Credit: Tips To Help You Turn It Around
There are a lot of ways to damage your credit score, from falling for a credit card scam to just being
unlucky with the recent economy. You are in luck, though. These tips will help you get your credit
score to that mythical 850.
If you don't have very good credit, financing your home may not be easy. If this is the case, try to get
an FHA loan, which are loans backed by federal government. It might be possible to get an FHA loan
even if you don't have the money for a down payment or the closing costs involved.
Planning is the first step to repairing your credit. Make a commitment to making better financial
decisions. Don't buy the things that aren't needs. Ask yourself if a certain purchase is both necessary
and affordable. Buy the item if your answer to this question is "yes".
Work closely with all of your creditors if you are aiming towards repairing your credit. This will
enable you to make sure to keep your credit in good standing and repair any damage that may have
been caused. One way to tackle this problem is to call them and ask if you can have the due date or
monthly charge amount changed.
If you are looking into a credit counselor, be sure to find out information about them before you
choose to use them. You will find some counselors that truly want to help you fix your credit
situation, while others may have different motives. Many others are nothing more than scams. It is
smart to verify the legitimacy of credit counselors prior to getting involved with them.
Contact your creditors and see if you can get them to lower your overall credit limit. This will stop
you from racking up giant credit card bills, and show lenders you are responsible.
Take a look at your credit report if you have a bad score. Even if a charge held against you is
legitimate, any problems with its details, like the date or the amount owed, could make the entire
entry invalid and eligible for removal.

2. Stop living beyond your means. You may have to overhaul your entire mindset when it comes to
money. While you may see your peers racking up credit debt, be sure to not fall into the same trap.
Be realistic about the lifestyle your income affords you.
Get a written copy of any payment plan you negotiate with a creditor. The documentation you gain
from the creditor is important in case the company changes ownership or the creditor is no longer
interested in the deal. Every time you get a debt paid off, ask the company to notify the credit
bureaus.
Do everything you can to avoid filing bankruptcy. Doing so will reflect upon your credit score and
report for 10 years. It might seem like a good thing but you will be affected down the line. Once
bankruptcy has been filed, it could permanently halt your chances of ever obtaining credit again in
the future.
To earn a higher credit score, keep revolving account balances low. You can up your credit score by
just keeping your balances lower. When balances reach anywhere from 20-100% of your available
credit balances (in 20% intervals), the FICO system will make a note.
When lenders examine your personal credit history,
they will not consider any statements you have made
about the negative marks. It is possible that this can be
detrimental by drawing closer scrutiny to your report.
Be wary of
any
company
that tells
you they
can
instantly
fix your
credit.
Since a lot
of people go through credit problems, predatory lawyers emerged that charge huge fees to repair
their client's credit in ways that are either illegal or useless. Get reviews on a lawyer before you go
to them for help.
Every time you open a new line of credit your credit score is going to suffer. If you want to keep your
credit score high, you need to resist the urge to open new accounts. Your good credit score will
suffer a small dip each time you open a new account.
If anyone trying to collect a debt makes threats, make a note of their illegal behavior. There are laws
that protect consumers, and it is important to know them.
When you have trouble making a budget, you should get in touch with a reputable counselor. Often
times, these companies will work with the creditors to get negotiate a lower interest rate and an
affordable payment plan that will help get your finances back on track. Working with a credit

3. counselor can help you learn to budget your money.
Restoring your credit rating looks at first like an uphill battle, but with sound effort and the right
advice, that battle can be won. Use what you've learned in this article to start fixing your credit and
improve your credit score.