How Credit Score Points Affect Your Credit

                                            

Your credit score it is one of the most critical factors in your financial life. Your credit score determines if you are approved for a loan or line of credit. Credit scores are used to determine: if you will be hired for a job, interest rates, terms and conditions, downpayment costs, rates for medical and other insurance coverage, approval for cable and internet service and more.

A credit score is a mathematically calculated number developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) that lenders use to rate potential customers in determining the likelihood that a customer will pay their bills on time.

A credit score or credit rating is determined by using five main criteria as defined by MyFico.com: your payment history which accounts for 35% of your credit score, the amounts owed which accounts for 30% of your credit score, the length of your credit history which accounts for 15% of your credit score, new credit which accounts for 10% of your credit score, and the types of credit used which accounts for 10% of your credit score.

Payment history shows the history of how you paid your bills either on time or late. Amounts owed shows the total amount of credit you have available. The length of history indicates how long you have had credit. New credit indicates how many times you have applied for new credit. If you open too many new accounts in a short period of time this may lower your credit score. The types of credit used indicate the types of accounts you have such as revolving or installment accounts. Revolving accounts are usually credit cards and installment accounts are usually mortgages, auto loans, etc.

The FICO credit score model ranges from 300-850 with 850 being an excellent score and 300 being the worst score. The higher the credit score the lower the interest rate you will receive for a loan or line of credit. Possessing a good credit score can save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan or on a line of credit. A good credit score is generally in the range of 720 or above but may vary from lender to lender.

When applying for credit or a loan if all three credit scores are pulled, the middle score is generally the score used with the application.  Your credit score varies from each bureau because each agency collects their own data from various sources and may collect different data for the same account. Your score can vary anywhere from 5-40 points between the three credit bureaus.

Your credit score changes due to updates to your credit file which changes based on account activity such as balance changes or additions to your credit file (i.e. new accounts or deletion of older negative accounts more than 7 or 10 years old). As a result, you may see a difference in your score from one month to the next.  Here are some guidelines to help you determine how payments affect your credit score:

Payments

• Paying a 30 day late payment can increase a score by 3-80
• Paying collection accounts can increase a score by 20-90 points
• Paying public records (judgments, tax liens, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy) can increase a credit score by 75-150 points
• Paying a charge-off can increase a credit score by 50-100 points
• Paying a repossession can increase a credit score by 50-100 points
• Paying delinquent student loans which can increase a credit score by 50-80 points

The major disadvantage of credit scoring is that it relies on information in your credit report that may contain errors. It is estimated that 75% of credit reports contain at least one error.  That is why it is so important that you check your credit report at least once a year to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date.  

If you plan on purchasing a large item such as a car, house or investment property, it is best to pull your credit yourself to see if any negative items appear so you can fix those issues before applying for a loan. The best way to understand your credit score is to do research and read the information that is included when you order your credit report.

How to Repair Your Credit

Your credit is your financial identity - your financial DNA - your financial resume. Your credit is one of the most important aspects of your life and can help you or hurt you during the course of your life. Credit affects many aspects of your life such as applying for a job, applying for a home or apartment, or applying for a personal loan or credit. Don't be discouraged if you have bad credit. You can restore your credit and still achieve your financial goals.

The first step to repairing credit damage is by ordering a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Review your credit reports with a fine tooth comb checking the following information for accuracy: name, address, phone number, SSN, date of birth, current and previous addresses, accounts, account numbers, open and closed dates, status of the account, owed amount, and payment history.

Once you have reviewed your credit report determine if you have any past due accounts. If you have bad credit due to the loss of a job, health issues, family issues or a disability let the creditor know right away. Call the creditor to setup a payment plan to pay back all debt owed. Determine the monthly amount you can afford, don't let the creditor determine the amount for you. If the creditor offers a settlement request that the credit list the account status as "paid" or "paid in full" instead of "settled" or "settled for less than full amount". If you account is listed as "settled" this will lower your credit score although the account was paid.

If you are currently unable to pay your debts due to unemployment and financial problems request a financial hardship and request a reduced monthly payment and reduced interest rate for a period of one year. During this time you will not be charged late fees and you be able to make your credit until your financial situation improves.

If you find errors on your credit report write a letter to the credit bureau that is reporting the error or request a dispute investigation online by visiting the credit bureau's website. Provide any supporting documentation to prove your claim. The credit bureau will respond to your letter within 30 days from the day of receipt. Keep copies of all correspondence sent and received in the event you need to reference it in the future. If you do not receive a response follow-up with a letter to the credit bureau to verify the updates were made. Order another copy of your credit report after 45 to 60 days have passed to verify the updates were made.

If you dispute an error and the credit bureau or company that listed the error refuses to update the information on your credit report you can write the credit bureau reporting the error and request that a one hundred word statement be added to your credit report for that account. This help increase your chances for approval in the future.

If you have an account that has a late payment history you can request that the company re-age the account once you have made consecutive payments on time for a period of 9 to 12 months. The delinquent (negative) payment history will be removed from your credit report which will increase your credit score.

Additional ways to repair damage to your credit are: keep your balances at 50% or below the credit limit, don’t open more than 1 new account in a 6 month period, don’t do business with “bad credit, no problem” companies, order your credit report each year, avoid foreclosure and bankruptcy, consolidate debt with caution, consult a professional, don't ignore past due bills and setup automatic bill payment to ensure bill are paid on time.

Protect your credit as your would your life, guard with care. "Money can generate wealth or generate debt, you make the choice."

Instant Grati Syndrome

As a baby when you cried your mother or father came running to take care of you. As a toddler when you cried your parents hugged or talked to you until you stopped. As a teenager when you wanted something you talked really nice and sweet to your parents to get it. Throughout your life you may have received gratification instantly so as an adult it is only natural for you to believe that you should continue to receive this treatment. Unfortunately, this attitude affects every aspect of your life even your spending habits.

It can be difficult to resist the temptation of the instant gratification culture of America which I call the "instant grati factor". Advertisers make consumers believe everything can be obtained instantly by creating instant cereal, instant coffee, instant meals, instant messaging, instant credit card approval and online shopping. I have labeled this behavior as the "instant gratification syndrome" or "instant grati syndrome". To determine if you are a victim of "instant grati syndrome" ask yourself the following questions:

1. If you see an item online or in the store do you buy it immediately?
2. Do you buy an item even if you don't need the item or the item is not in your size?
3. Do you buy an item with your credit card even though you know you don't have the money to pay the bill when it arrives?
4. Do you get upset or defensive when someone questions your poor spending habits?
5. Do you rationalize your poor spending habits by saying things like "I work hard I deserve it", "Why can't I have it", "You are not my father, I can buy whatever I want", "I just had to have it", "I don't have to answer to you", "I want it now", or "I can buy it with my credit card"?
6. Is your home filled with unused items you purchased or items that still have the tags on them?
7. Do you go shopping with money already set aside to pay a bill?
8. Do you hide items you have purchased from your spouse, children or significant other?
9. Do you buy a new outfit every time you go to an event or gathering?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you are a victim of the "instant grati syndrome". Here are 6 ways to avoid the "Instant Grati Syndrome:"

1. Make being debt free your ultimate goal
2. Stop listening to the instant gratification messages
3. Live your life like an investor
4. Surround yourself with people who are investors or people who are in a better financial situation
5. Enjoy the little things in life
6. Stop being depressed

This behavior is difficult to change but it can be changed. Don't buy on impulse - think before you buy and determine if the item is a want or a need. Embrace the old values of working hard and saving your money to buy something. So the next time you buy something with a credit card ask yourself, am I a victim of the "instant grati" syndrome?

Instant Grati Factor and Instant Grati Syndrome Copyright © 2007 H.E. Freeman Enterprises