Over 70 million people suffer from negative items in their credit files, but you can get a fresh start and have clean credit. Just because you have a poor credit report doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get clean credit. We are often asked, “How can I get clean credit, and how can I raise my credit score?”
It should go without saying, to build clean credit, you must have household income. You must find and/or keep the most suitable employment. You may need to work two jobs. You might consider selling anything you don’t really need, especially if you are paying to have it stored. Live within your means – don’t spend more than you bring home.
The first step to take in building clean credit is to pay off or settle as many outstanding debts as possible. Lenders advise that keeping a high debt-to-income ratio will adversely affect your credit rating. You should lower your ratio to below 45%. That is, reduce your balance on all revolving credit accounts to below 45% of your gross earnings. This will demonstrate that you do not live on credit, and have planned for possible unforeseen needs of that available credit.
Call your creditors and negotiate some of the terms on your account. You may be able to lower interest rates, stop late fees, eliminate over-the-limit charges, and in some cases settle a debt by making a partial payment in lieu of the total amount due. It is a myth that credit card companies aren’t willing to work with you. Most are, if you will make a honest effort. Pick up the phone and show your good intent to pay your obligation. Let them know, you want clean credit.
Proactively build a clean credit rating. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can dispute information in your credit files with the three credit repositories, and the creditor is required by law to verify the disputed information. That which can’t be verified within 30 days must be removed. While credit repair can be a do-it-yourself project, it is time consuming and tedious. RMCN Credit Services specializes in credit repair, restoration and education.
Once you have taken the above steps to reduce debt, it is time to start rebuilding your clean credit. This may sound contradictory, but the best way to rebuild clean credit is to obtain credit. There are lenders that will grant you credit. Once you have a credit card, your proper use is reported to the credit bureaus. Secured credit cards are a good way to build clean credit. Be careful not to fall victim to certain clean credit rebuilder programs that charge application fees, a high annual fee, and monthly participation fees.
Clean credit will earn you better terms on auto loans. Clean credit will earn you better terms on mortgage loans. Clean credit will earn you better terms on personal loans. Clean credit will earn you better terms on credit cards. Clean credit will earn you better terms on revolving accounts. Clean credit will earn you better rates on auto, home, and life insurance.
Clean credit is perfect credit. You deserve clean credit.
You may also like to visit these pages:
- Debt Counseling Service – When it makes the most sense to use a debt counseling service.
- Credit Profile – A credit profile outlines your credit history as it has been reported to the credit reporting agencies by lenders who have extended credit to you.
- Credit Card Repair – How to repair negative credit card reports to credit reporting bureaus.
