It is important to practice good credit so that you are adequately prepared to apply for a mortgage or other type of loan in the future. Lenders will pull your credit report and analyze your credit score when determining whether or not they will loan to you and the loan amount.
Your credit score is determined by the Irish Credit Bureau, and it is based on all the information in your credit report. In other words, your credit score is based on your credit history at a given point in time. Your credit score can decrease if you miss a credit card payment, for example, or increase if you pay a bill on time. The highest score that an individual can have is 581, while the lowest score is 224. The higher the credit score, the more favorable the potential client will be, and the more likely a lender will loan them money.
Below is a list of ways to practice good credit and improve your credit score.
Check Your Credit Report
Check your credit report to ensure that there are no errors present. Your credit score is determined from your credit report, so errors can negatively affect your credit score. When examining your credit report, look for any late payments or unpaid bills and confirm that the information is accurate.
Don’t Use Your Entire Credit Limit
To improve or maintain a good credit score, it is smart to avoid using your entire credit limit. If your credit card balances are close, or at your credit limit, it reveals that you are spending all the credit you have been given. To lenders, this can be seen as risky and can also lower your credit score.
Pay Down Your Credit
Avoid accumulating too much debt. Pay down your credit balance(s) as much and as often as possible. Doing so can boost your credit score.
Paying down your credit will also lower your credit utilization ratio which compares your current credit balances with your credit limits. A lower credit utilization ratio can improve your credit score since it is more favorable than a high one.
Pay Bills on Time
Your credit card payments are part of your credit report, and therefore directly affect your credit score. Paying your bills on time will help you improve and maintain your credit score, while missing payments can significantly damage your credit score.
Make and Follow a Budget
To ensure that you have enough money to pay down your credit each month, it is helpful to create a monthly budget. Monthly budgets can help hold your spending accountable and ensure that you are not spending beyond your means, in addition to helping you start saving more.
Understanding what impacts your credit score, and the steps you can take to practice good credit are beneficial for your financial well-being.