What is the best advice I can give someone on improving their credit?
367473
Always pay your bills on time.  That means, dont over extend yourself, by charging things that you're unable to pay when the bill arrives. Dont carry many credit cards. Just use one card. Have a backup one, for extreme emergency only.
23298
The best way to increase your credit rating is to pay your bills on time.  If you are currently in default on any accounts, try to get caught up as soon as possible.  You can check your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com but that will only show you the information that is appearing in your report.  If you want to check your credit score you will have to pay a small fee (usually around $5 per credit bureau).
12137
The best credit you can get
215461
It will take several months to a year to get your credit really improved. Be careful of using a company who says they can raise your credit score. Cause legally they cant. Only you can. And while paying them large sums of money, you can dod it yourself for free. Depends on the elbow grease your willing to give. Check it out. There really is no super fast way to do it. But the best and probably quickest way would be to go to Annualcreditreport.com and get your free 3 credit reports. Then go through them and dispute the negative items on your report that dont make valid. Even if unsure, do so anyways because it becomes the responsibility of the creditor to prove that the information is accurate. If the creditor doesnt respond within 30 days the negative item has to be removed by law. In which removing a negative credit report item raises your score. Also, finding your most recent and lowest balance debt and offering halve of what you totally owed for it. Most creditors are willing to do this if your account has been way behind for a long time. Because now they're just worried about getting any money from you at all. Same is 100% true for collection agencies whom took over your bad debt. Offer half and no more. Ask to include in writing and mailed to you that they will remove negative from your credit report in terms of full half-amount payment. That raises your score. Other would be as suggested to get a secured credit card and just use it for gas twice a month or something small. Dont use it for anything else! Thats how you get screwed up again. Make the payments on time...everytime. This will start to show up as a positive item in your credit report and by showing a low balance on you card (30% or less of high limit) will show you can be responsible with your credit and thus create a higher score and higher opinion of a future creditor...such as an auto financer. Heed this and Hope i was of some good help to you. Good luck. Shuuutnstr =o)
621526
If you want to know how the credit scoring system works...go to the source.\n\nhttp://www.myfico.com\n\nThis is the home site for the folks who developed the FICO scoring system.  It contains information on how it's put together, tips on how to improve it, lots of other educational info.\n\nThey also can sell you your credit score, but the neat thing is it will also include a detailed explanation of what may be keeping it low, and what you can do to improve it.  It's very specific and may help you a lot.
992979
As you make purchases, and make your monthly payments\nON TIME, you will automatically qualify for limit increases. If a year has passed, and your account has been kept in good standing, you can also request a limit increase. Keep in mind, if your goal is to stay out of debt, increasing your credit limits does not sound like a good idea. The fastest way to improve your credit score is with an installment loan, like an auto loan or mortgage. You get a lot more points for paying this type of loan on time than you do revolving, or credit card accounts. Any other questions in this area, feel free to contact me.
198473
Improving a credit score requires establishing good, clean, current, positive and active credit. This will raise a credit score as soon as it is reported to the credit bureaus and included in the credit file. Begin to pay all of your bills on time and start paying off old debt.\nLearn to manage account balances to maximize your credit potential. Credit scores aren't static numbers. Because they are calculated based on your current credit report, they change every time your credit report changes. While this change may be very slight, it can also be much more dramatic. Here are some things you can do to try to improve your score: \n\n•Review your credit report and correct any errors you find. Getting rid of inaccurate (and bad) information can sometimes improve your score dramatically. \n\n•Close any accounts you no longer use or need. This reduces your amount of available credit and can help improve your score. \n\n•Reduce your balances on credit cards to 75% or less of your available credit (30% is preferable). \n\n•Pay your bills on time. (This is probably the most important of all!) \n\n•Don't let anyone make an inquiry on your credit report unless you absolutely have to. The more inquiries, the lower your score. \n\nAlso, remember that some improvements -- such as better efforts at making payments on time -- may take time to impact your score. So, time is also a factor. \n\nIf you go to the bank for a loan and are turned down because your score is too low, your would-be lender will get a list of reasons for that low score. You can use that list to try to turn your score around. While nothing is guaranteed, since lenders can also use their own scoring methods, you certainly can't hurt your score by taking any of these steps. \n\nThe key is to get credit only when you need it (unless you're trying to establish your first credit), and then use it carefully and make your payments on time. Remember not to max-out credit cards. \n\nIF you want additional help go to the source web site\ntell them Kay Weber sent you
386037
I just answered this question a bit ago on someone else's question, so if you read it this will be redundant as I just cut and pasted.\n\nAs a victim of ID theft which lead to drastic measures, I have spent the past three years studying and rebuilding my credit. here's what you can do:\n\nHave about 2-4 credit card accounts, but keep the total balances below 50%, no matter what. This is a huge credit score booster. Debt to credit ratio is a large percentage that makes up your credit score. I can simply boost my score 50-70 points in one month with just keeping it below 50%. If its over 50%, the bureau is merciless.\n\nIf you have credit cards but they are all paid off, or you currently do not make monthly credit card payments, this is not good either. The "computers" that calculate your score cannot really calculate anything except history unless you have a revolving balance. Plus the longer credit history you have, the more it helps your score. For example, I have several credit cards all that are paid off. I just use them if I have to, but I always carry a small balance every month ($150) on a Victoria's secret credit card and just pay the minimum-KUST TO KEEP THE SCORE STABLE AND GOOD. The "computers" then can factor in some sort of payment that is being made every month. If you pay nothing, then the computers cannot calculate a "month payment factor" in your score.\n\nIf you don't have a credit card/good credit go to www.orchardbank.com. This place is the most generous in granting and rebuilding credit. After a while where you make payments, they'll boost your limit. You may start with $500 limit, and a high APR, but that's okay, just keep the balance below 50%, and in 6 - 9 months, you really start to be looking good. Department cards and gas cards are also good places to start and are more flexible to poor credit.\n\nAs for your bills like utilities, phone, etc. These will not help your credit because they are not reported UNLESS you don't pay. So pay them so you don't get a delinquency, but otherwise they're useless to you score.\n\nRemember, people with bad credit pull their score an average of 10 times more than someone with good credit. CREDIT BUREAUS KNOW THIS, WHICH IS WHY THEY LEAVE INACCURATE INFO ON YOUR REPORT. Try to keep the inquires down, because that hurts your score too. That's how they make money. That's how banks get their money too. So... I would pull my own credit report at www.myfico.com and check my score regularly. PULLING YOUR OWN CREDIT DOES NOT HURT YOUR SCORE. Then dispute the crap out of everything, even if its right. Write a letter, DO NOT USE THE AUTOMATIC system they want you to. If that doesn't work, try a law firm. www.lexingtonlawfirm.com is a great place to dispute everything. I have used them and iit works well without breaking the bank. $75 initial to start and $35/mo. They write the letters, you can access your info on their website and pick the things to dispute. They know HOW to say it. If you don't write certain things in your dispute letter, the bureaus by law can ignore it.\n\nOne other trick: Go to a bank and tell them you want to buy a house and apply for a mortgage. Let them know your credit is bad and you've been having trouble getting them to fix inaccuracies. Mortgage companies have an "in" and can get your credit corrected with the smap of their fingers. I know this because my wife did this for US BANK on a regular basis.\n\nIf you don't get approved with anything, then try getting a secured credit card until the score gets better. Or have your friend or parents with good credit or credit cards just see if they would be willing to put your name on their card as an authorized user/co-borrower. It doesn't mean you need one (if they're leary of your sepnding habits), you just need the action going on in your report.\n\nALSO, NEVER CLOSE ANY ACCOUNT. This will REALLY hur
998414
#1) Pull all your reports. Not online, request actual physical copies. They usually contain more than what an online report does. This will give you a start on where you need to go with your reports. Also, keep them. Never toss them. They are proof later on if you need them to refer to if you ever get into a legal situation regarding your credit (lawsuit etc). You can get your first set free on an annual basis at annualcreditreport.com.\n\n#2) Dispute. Dispute anything that is not correct including, balance amounts, lates, etc. If you have only one or two lates, I would call your creditor and see if you can get them removed via goodwill gesture, or send a goodwill letter. You can find some great letters on some of the credit boards like creditnet.com and creditboards.com.\n\n#3.) Collections? If you have any collections on your account or anything that should not be there, send a DV (debt validation) to the creditor asking to prove the debt. If they cannot, they have to remove the debt off of your report by law.\n\n#4.) You have rights - check out http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/031224fcr... for more info.\n\n#5.) check out some of the posts on creditnet.com and creditboards.com for assistance. \n\n#6.) If you have no credit, or want a temporary boost - have a family member or really (really, really, really) close friend add you in as an authorized user on their credit cards. Make sure the balances are not high, otherwise this could hurt you more. The higher the available credit, the more your utilization will go down on your report - therefore bumping your score.\n\n#7.) Avoid unnecessary inquiries. Hard pulls can hurt you, so avoid applying for new credit cards unless necessary.\n\nThis of course is a shortened version of things you can try. Research info on those links I provided you. You can increase your score spending just a short amount of time per week, sending letters to creditors etc. I increased my score over 100 points in less than 6 months. Depending on your situation, this could take shorter or longer time, but at least you have somewhere to start. Good luck!
913256
First... request a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus.  Make sure everything on there is accurate and dispute anything that isnt.  \n\nAfter that, you need to close any credit card accounts that you haven't used in awhile.  Having too many open accounts, even if they have a zero balance, still looks bad.  \n\nOnce that's all done... the best way to increase your credit is to make payments on time, keep balances low, and payoff anything you can.  If you don't have any debt, you can increase your credit rating by getting some type of loan (car, credit card, personal loan) and making the payments on time.  Paying such things off early helps a lot too.  Don't let yourself miss even one payment, as that will negatively affect your rating.  \n\nOther than that... if there's bad stuff on there, it's going to be there for the next seven years.  Until it's all gone, your score still won't be great.  \n\nI will tell you that it's worth it though... I had bad credit (thanks to divorcing my lousy ex) for most of my adult life... and finally in the last few years, it's become really good (since I'm no longer paying for HIS mistakes).  Sure makes life a lot easier!
843271
The best I have found! http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/
1136726
See if there is someone else you can pair up with who has better credit and/or can help w/ down payment. (e.g. significant other, parent, family member)  This would help reduce interest rates which will prob be very high w/ poor credit.
829381
Here are a couple of things you can do to raise your credit score quickly. \n\n1) Have a relative with great credit add you to their credit card account. This can raise your score over 100 points instantly, and has not risk to them! Even though your relative can add your name to their credit card account, they don't have risk if they don't give you a credit card.\n\n2) Use your credit cards for monthly purchase, then pay balance down to zero every month. If you have the cash, this is a very quick way to raise your credit score. Remember, creditors cannot "see" your income from the credit report, but they can tell you have financial strength when you pay down your card balances every month. This technique can raise your credit score up to 80 points.\n\n3) Use time. Most people don't realize that a bad credit item has the most weight only in the first two months, then hurts your score even less after 6 months, and even less after 2 years. After 2 years, many bad credit items don't even hurt at all. I know a friend with 6 chargeoffs that are 4-6 years old and her credit score is 620, good enough to buy a house. Sometimes waiting even a month or two for a bad item to age is all you need for your credit score to bounce back. \n\nIt doesn't mean you are a bad person when you have a lower credit score. Bad things just happen. Good luck with your credit score!
134346
all i can say is be honest. Explain that your credit history isnt the greatest but point out that you have always paid your rent.Some landlords will be understanding. A good work history is always helpful; as well.
511870
Pay your bills on time, don't use more than 25% of limits on cards/charge accounts, don't apply for a lot of credit (inquiries). Be consistent, and it will move up.
59722
How long have you got?\n\nYou can't wipe out bad credit - no matter what the scam artist will tell you.\n\nYou get rid of your bad credit by paying all of your bills on time from now on.\n\nYou pay off all of your existing bills.\n\nYou buy only what you can afford from now on. And that means a lot of the time you don't buy stuff you want until you've got the cash in your pocket - and even then you might not buy it because you'll use that cash to pay off your bills from before.\n\nYou may be able to negotiate payment plans with some of your creditors, or go to a legitimate credit counselling agency (call you state consumer protection folks for advice) and they may be able to help - but maybe not.\n\nAvoid the scam artists that say they can get you out of debt, now! or the ones who try to get you to establish some kind of a new identity - they're just going to get you in trouble worse than you're in now.\n\nIt sucks. You can't do it overnight. And you're going to be paying inflated interest rates for a long time. Forget those 0% credit offers - you probably won't qualify for the next few years.\n\nBut you'll be better off in the long run. And you'll be a lot richer in the long run, too. How do you think rich folks get that way? They manage their money, they pay their bills, they invest in boring but consistent and safe stuff - like index mutual funds. They put all they can into things like 401k's at work.\n\nYou'll get their, but its going to take patience and slogging and not having a bunch of stuff you want. At least right now. But you can make it, if you're willing to make the sacrifice.\n\nReality bites. But you can learn to deal with it.\n\nGood luck
469706
A person's credit rating is built upon historical demonstration of good financial habits and responsibility.  The simplest things to do to build your credit are:\n\n1. Open a savings account and make regular deposits to it, no matter how small.  You demonstrate a savings habit and built a cash asset.  The financial principle is called 'Pay Yourself First'.  You worked for that money, you should take the first cut.  Save at least 10% of what you make and don't touch it; always use that ever-growing-wad to make yourself more money.  3 to 6 months of your current income in savings should be your first goal; just in case something unfortunate happens at work. Once you hit that, start looking into good mutual funds; another cash asset that will add to your net worth and your credit score.  Don't forget, that 'wad' is always earning you interest and getting bigger.\n\n2. Make payments to your creditors ON TIME.  A number of late payments, or worse, defaults on loans, can really screw things up on your credit report and you'll appear to be 'a bad risk'; no matter how nice a person you are.\n\n3. Open and manage a rotating credit account so you can demonstrate that you can manage credit properly.  This will help raise your credit rating.  If you don't have a credit card yet, apply at a gas station for a card; ensuring there is no annual fee.  If you're employed, it's very easy to get one of these, the credit limit is usually only a few hundred dollars, and you can easily use it for something that you're likely paying for each month anyway.  Yes, you could get one from a department store, but its more likely you'll have a 'new shoes' emergency or the like.  Stick with the gasoline necessity until you are comfortable handling credit properly.  To budget your expense, keep the receipts for your gasoline for a month or two and average how much you spend on gasoline in a given month.  Set the money aside in an envelope when you get paid, and at the end of the month when your gasoline bill comes, deposit the money and pay off the balance.  Paying off the balance each month avoids any finance charges and ensures that having the card (and building your credit score) won't cost you a thing.\n\n4. Pay down your outstanding debts.  Once you are carrying enough debt to impact 50% of your cash flow each month, creditors start getting itchy about your ability to repay any additional amounts.  If you have several cards and are carrying balances on them, target the highest interest rate card first and pay it down to $0.  Take them in order until you're out of debt.  Then use the lowest rate card and carry a small balance.  I use one card for gasoline and monthly services then pay off the balance each month.\n\nPeople with good credit ratings get lower interest loans because they've proven themselves a good credit risk.  You'll appreciate that when you apply for your next car loan or your next mortgage.  One or two percent over a 30-year mortgage can save you thousands.