If you thought you could stop worrying about scores after you took the last test of your educational career, we have news:
There’s one more score you need to think about for the rest of your life — your credit score.
Your credit score is a number from 300 to 850 that basically signals to banks, employers and lenders how responsible you are with your money.
The three little numbers measure the capacity of your credit, the proficiency of your money management and your fiscal responsibility. An excellent credit score can open the door to large loans with better interest rates, as well as employment opportunities and more. People with higher credit scores may find it easier to get loans at lower interest rates, for example.
In other words, your credit score is a crucial part of your financial health.
Here are four of the ways you make sure your score is in the “good” or “excellent” range:
- Have at least one active credit card. And use that card, but don’t use it too much and be sure to pay it off in full every month. The easiest way to do this is to set up automatic payments through online bill pay so you never pay late.
- Work on paying down debt. It may take a while to tackle your debt, but showing the credit bureaus that you’re actively paying it off can help raise your credit score.
- Pay your bills on time. Paying credit card (and other) bills when, or before, they’re due is a major factor in determining your score.
- Bring down your credit utilization ratio. Another crucial factor contributing to your score is called your “credit utilization ratio.” This refers to the amount of available credit you have versus how much you actually use. It’s best to keep your utilization under 30%, or even under 10% if you can.
Need more help or information about this topic? We have a few resources for you!
Watch our webinar replay “Understanding Your Credit Report and Score." You might also consider watching the replays of our “Using Credit Wisely” and “Paying Down Debt” webinars, too.
And if you need assistance with reviewing your personal credit report or want to use our free one-on-one counseling with a certified financial counselor or a counselor at GreenPath, we’re just a call or click away. We want you to have your best possible credit score and we’re eager to help you get there!
