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How To Repair Your Credit With Credit Cards

How To Repair Your Credit With Credit Cards

Very few people live their entire lives without inflicting any damage upon their credit scores. Whether it be high balances on credit cards, bankruptcy, collections issues, or financing troubles, credit problems affect the best of us and are difficult to repair.

Fortunately, there are solutions to repairing bad credit and restoring faith with credit agencies and bureaus. All it takes is a little time and the right strategy, and before you know it, you’ll be receiving “Pre-Approved” credit offers in the mail again. One of the most effective ways to repair your credit is with credit cards, and I’m going to show you how.

“Bad Credit” Credit Cards

Believe it or not, there are actually credit cards out there designed just for people who need to get back on their feet. Most of these cards have middle-of-the-road APRs with annual fees ranging from $40 – $100. Some also require an account set-up fee and other charges, which are expected with customers whose credit reports have black marks.

Credit Reporting

The most important thing to remember when repairing bad credit is that your card will not help unless the financial institution reports it. There are three major credit bureaus: Experian (1-888-397-3742), TransUnion (1-800-888-4213), and Equifax (1-800-685-1111). When you fall into collections or fall short of a loan, the financial center reports the debt to one or more of these credit bureaus, and that is how your credit is damaged. In order to repair that damage, financial institutions must also report accounts in good standing.

The best way to ensure that this happens is to find a credit card that reports monthly (or at least quarterly) to all three major credit bureaus. This way, your credit continues to improve exponentially as you continue to pay off all of your balances.

Balances

Most people believe that to maintain a good credit score, you must always pay off your credit card balance each month. This isn’t true. When you are attempting to repair damaged credit, it is much better to keep a small balance on each card and pay it off gradually over a period of three-to-four months. When you apply for a loan, mortgage, or line of credit, financial institutions want to see that you are able to effectively manage your finances. Keeping a balance and paying it off shows that you are able to manage your debt in an efficient and systematic manner.

Secure Credit Cards

If your credit rating is too low, then you won’t be able to obtain a Visa or MasterCard. Instead, apply for a secure credit card. This works similarly to a debit card; you deposit money each month, and that amount determines your credit limit. If you choose a secure card that reports monthly to the credit bureaus, then you will be eligible for an unsecured card in a matter of months.

With Secured credit cards, you deposit money into a savings account, and the amount you deposit acts as your credit limit. The amount can be anywhere from $200.00 to $10,000, and it acts as a type of security deposit. It is never removed from your savings account unless you become delinquent on payments, and it accrues interest the same way a normal savings account would.

Repairing your credit with credit cards can dramatically increase your chances of achieving an “A” credit rating, and you’ll be able to effectively manage your finances. Take the time now to research credit cards – both secure and unsecured – and make today the first step toward a better credit score.

How To Repair A Bad Credit History

How To Repair A Bad Credit History

We all get into financially tight situations from time to time. Short term financial demands can catch anyone by surprise. It could be around the birth of a new child, medical expenses, or just Christmas or birthdays. Whatever the reason, without care, financially tight situations can result in a bad credit history.

It’s possible to get a bad credit history very easily. The credit reference agencies, Experian, Equifax, and Transunion maintain details on almost every adult in the country and they have a level of detail that for many are frightening.

As a matter of course the credit reference agencies have your personal details, your name, address, and previous addresses, as well as credit information. If you have a mortgage they know about it. If you have any loans, credit cards, or store cards they know about them and they know what payments you make.

If you rent your home the odds are they know. In fact, they usually know the details of virtually all financial arrangements where there is any risk of a debt arising.

If you’ve applied for loans, credit cards, or any other purchases or financial arrangements they know you applied, even if the application was unsuccessful. They also know how much you borrow, your monthly repayments and if you are ever late with a payment – even if it’s by one day and caused by things outside your control!

How do they know? All the banks and financial institutions routinely tell them. The reason they tell them is that it is in their interest to do so. They know that by telling the credit reference agencies all the details an accurate picture of your financial position is created. A picture they can use the next time you apply for credit.

If you do miss a payment it will be recorded and that information stays on their records for 12 months! If you default that stays on for at least 3 years! Just missing a couple of payments can very easily mess up your credit score.

Once you have a bad credit history it can be a real nightmare. With a really bad credit history, you are pretty much financially disabled from everything except transactions that can be covered with cash.

Finding an apartment to rent, trying to buy a car, putting a down payment on a house, or applying for a credit card or a loan from a bank are all activities you are barred from with a bad credit history.

Banks, businesses, and decent landlords can see a bad credit history a mile away and will avoid you like the plague. As a result, all the steps that are supposed to build a good credit rating are no longer available. How can you break out of this credit catch-22 once you get stuck in it?

A good place to start is to contact a credit counseling service. Depending upon where you live there may be a free service you can use otherwise you may be forced to use a paid service. Paid or unpaid all these services do the same thing. They will conduct a complete financial assessment of your situation. It is imperative that you tell them everything, so don’t hold back any debts, they need to know.

If possible they will help you set a budget and find a way for you to repay the overdue payments, past debts, or forgotten bills. This will involve you paying extra to cover the arrears. Even if this is possible it will not, on its own, immediately repair your credit rating as the details of the missed payments and bad debts will stay on the record for at least 12 months.

If you are unable to clear any overdue bills or payments the counseling service will then approach your creditors. They will seek to come to some arrangement which allows you to pay smaller amounts over a longer period. They will initially seek an informal arrangement with each creditor but they can also seek formal arrangements where you pay an affordable amount, usually over 5 years.

So long as you keep up these reduced payments, and depending on the type of arrangement and where you live, after 5 years the debt may be cleared and your credit score will improve. Any arrangements with creditors will be notified to the credit reference agencies and are normally help on file for 3 or 6 years.

A third option, and the quickest, is to take out a consolidation loan to pay off all your debts leaving just one lower payment to make each month. If you own your own home – either outright or on a mortgage – this loan can be secured on the property either as a mortgage/re-mortgage or a separate secured loan.

With a property as collateral, it is relatively easy to get additional funds as the lender will have the security of your home and if you fail to pay, sometimes only one or two missed monthly payments, they will go for repossession to get their money back.

Without collateral obtaining a debt consolidation loan is more difficult but not impossible. Without the security of a property however, you will normally pay a significantly higher interest rate.

If you clear all of your debts using a debt consolidation loan cut up any credit cards and close the accounts. Make sure you don’t fall into the same trap again.

So long as you make all the due payments and you are in control of the situation, many of the pressures will ease and, with hard work and self-control, your bad credit history will become a thing of the past.

Credit Cards for College Students – How to Build Credit Early

Credit Cards for College Students – How to Build Credit Early

Credit cards for college students are available online. The downside is that card issuers realize that most students do not have a direction established. This is true since if you go to college and ask students what are their goals, most will say, I haven’t decided yet, i.e. if they are just starting out in school. The good news is, there are great ways for them to build credit early.

Card issuers are aware of this because at one time they were in college too. Therefore, credit cards for students often have high-interest rates, annual fees, as well as other fees attached. If you have good credit, likely you will find a low rate card. If you are searching for credit cards for college students, it is wise to go online, search, and compare and contrast each card. This will give you an idea, of what the cards offer, as well as what the benefits from each card offer you.

The Internet lists several cards that are best suited for college students. The cards available come from leading card issuers and getting one can help them build credit early. The search will help you save money and time while guiding you to the best cards.

Card Offers

Several of the top student credit cards will offer 0% APR up to six months on balance transfers, cash advances, and purchases, providing you do not default on your credit card payments. I will quote the “0 liability,” since this is important. Some credit card issuers will charge you for unauthorized charges made on your card. I recommend that you check the liability agreement to weed out clauses or stipulations, making sure the 0% fees are legit. Some cards have no annual fee, and you will have the ability to manage your accounts free online at any time, and best of all you will not need a cosigner, and only required to have a minimum income. The regular APR’s on student credit cards are a bit steep, however, if you pay the balance off before the grace period ends, the benefits will make up for the interest rates.

The downside is most students have not established credit history. You might notice that each of the cards listed on some sites require that you have good or very good credit. This can set you back and force you to look somewhere else for credit cards. What do I do next?

Searching for Credit Cards While You Build Credit Early

Sometimes if you scroll down the pages, you will notice to the left side of the page or sometimes the right side of the pages, additional links are available. Click on the student links and review the credit cards offered. Second, never give up. Simply because this is a good credit offer, if you do not have a good credit history, it is possible you can still get the card. You might have to pay higher interest rates at first, or possibly an annual fee, still you might be eligible for a college student card of your choice.

Credit Repair: Good Credit References

Credit Repair: Good Credit References

Unfortunately, there is no magic repair available today. You will need to dedicate a good deal of discipline, patience, and effort to the task. Make sure you also have these good credit references to help you improve your credit history and rating.

It will be a better idea to start with requesting copies of credit reports from each of the credit reference agencies. It is well known that Credit reference agencies do not make credit decisions. They only collect and give credit history and identifying information to potential lenders. If needed this information is also provided to potential credit employers.

The three credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Most provinces provide at least one free credit report per year. You can often get your report by making a request through the automated telephone service, by regular mail and by email (in my view, a telephone request is the easiest to get a credit report). When you get a report, you must review it carefully for outdated information and errors. If you feel any problem with your credit report, you must report about it to credit companies in writing. Include all supporting documentation you require to substantiate your claim.

If you are like a modern American you should have at least one negative credit reference on your report. These negative credit references include such credit remarks as:

  • Defaults (The lender has doubts that you will repay his owed funds.)
  • Late Payments (It is better to pay early.)
  • Liens or Judgments (Legal process by a lender to recover payment.)
  • Repossessions.
  • Bankruptcies.
  • Excessive Credit Inquires.

As lenders don’t know you personally, they just believe in a system that allows them to make better credit decisions. If you have been denied credit, it is not a personal matter it is just a business decision. After all, would you lend money to someone who has a history of paying it back late or absolutely not paying it back? Your answer will be no, you will not like to give money to a person having negative credit references. Make a plan to develop some good credit references. As you will pay off your credits, your credit report will improve that will change the lender’s attitude for you.

Let’s start with the basics:

  • Pay your bills early.
  • Stabilize.
  • Maintain accounts.
  • Keep your head out of the sand.
  • Consider online banking.

Need more tips? Read the Top 10 Ways to Repair Your Credit Score.

Each of these steps will help you to build good credit references with time.