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What Goes into Your Credit Score?
Credit scores can be computed using different credit scoring systems but the most widely used system today is the FICO score. Its formula was created by the Fair Isaac Corporation and is the one used today by many lenders, banks, financial organizations and the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion.
The perfect FICO score is 850 and although achieving this number may seem unrealistic, getting a score ranging from 720 and above is already considered as good to excellent. However, a FICO score below 620 will put you in the category of a “high risk borrower”. Thus, it is recommended for everyone to be aware of the factors that make up their credit score.
Factors that Determine Your Credit Score Payment history. Your payment history comprises 35% of your total credit score. Here, how timely you are in submitting your payments, how long it takes you to pay your past due bills, how many times you were late or missed with your payments, and everything that has to do with your payment habits count.
Credit line usage. How you use your credit limit makes up the 30% of your credit score. The higher the usage of your credit limit, the lower your credit score is. Ideally, borrowers should not go beyond 30% of their available credit. If you own a low interest credit card, be careful not to maximize your credit line as this can damage your overall FICO score.
Length of credit history. 15% of your total FICO score is based on how long you have had credit. A longer record of credit history is of course more impressive especially if it shows timely payments all throughout. Be careful about closing your oldest accounts. Dont close your oldest credit cards just because they have high rates. The trick is to use them only for small purchases and pay off your balance in full always to avoid the interest rate.
New credit. Opening too many different accounts at once or in short period can pull down your credit score. Why is this? This gives a negative impression to lenders on why you need to apply for too many credit in that short span of time. Having too many inquiries made by the lenders whom you submit application to will also affect your credit score. If you are in the habit of sending credit card applications just to get the free shirt or the free cap upon signing up, stop now. Youre doing damage to your credit and thats not worth the freebie youre getting. Remember, new credit makes up 10% of your total credit score.
Types of credit used. The types of credit found in your credit report make up the other last 10% of your score. Having a variation of accounts in your credit report is definitely a good thing. For instance, aside from credit card accounts, having a mortgage, an auto loan and other credit in your account shows your capability in how you handle your obligations as a borrower.
Debt Management: How You Can Master Your Debts
Managing numerous debts, when you hear it, seems like a Herculean task. But it is not. It is in fact easy to do it once you find out about the numerous programs that are dedicated to this purpose. Their common goal is to help you undo the shackles that your unpaid debts have probably placed upon you. They exist under a single banner- debt management.
Debt management is a program that can make repayment of your multiple debts an easier process. It functions in a simple way. All the debts that you have are merged into a single one. These may be credit card debts, huge unpaid bills or unpaid personal loans. This new consolidated debt can be paid off at an interest rate which is lower than you original rates. Now that you have a single debt, you can make a single payment to a singe creditor who will distribute it among your other creditors.
Through debt management, you get to avail advantages like these:
* A more manageable repayment method * Lesser overall payment * Some money can also be saved for use in other purposes.
Debt management can be easily achieved with the expert help of debt management agencies. Apart from the usual features, you also get valuable guidance as to how to manage your personal finance and regulate your expenditures so that you dont have to fall into debts again in future.
Debt management can also be achieved through the following forms, depending upon the seriousness of your debt status:
Debt consolidation: when your total debt crosses £5000 and you owe to two or more creditors. All you debts will be consolidated and a loan will be given to help you pay off the consolidated debt. Debt negotiation: when you cannot make the minimum payments. Your total debt amount is substantially reduced, sometimes by half. Debt elimination: when the only other option remaining is bankruptcy. Interest rates are reduced on all debts except one which can be paid off with the extra money saved from the other reduced payments.
Debt management, no matter which option you go for, certainly frees you off your debts.