1. Pay Credit Card Balances Strategically

Why It Works: Your credit utilization (the amount of credit you use versus what’s available) is a key factor in your score. Keep your balance under 30% of your credit limit, but lower is always better.

How to Do It: Pay down your balance before your billing cycle ends, or make multiple payments each month to keep your balance low when reported to the credit bureaus.

2. Ask for a Higher Credit Limit

Why It Works: When your credit limit increases but your balance stays the same, your credit utilization decreases, which can boost your score.

How to Do It: Call your credit card issuer to request a higher limit, but make sure to keep your spending steady to see the benefit.

3. Become an Authorized User

Why It Works: Being added to someone else’s credit card account (especially one with a high limit and good payment history) can improve your score.

How to Do It: Ask a trusted family member or friend to add you as an authorized user on their account. Make sure the account reports to all three credit bureaus.

4. Always Pay Bills on Time

Why It Works: Late payments are one of the most damaging factors to your credit score. Paying bills on time is crucial for maintaining and boosting your score.

How to Do It: Set up automatic payments or reminders to ensure you never miss a due date.

5. Dispute Credit Report Errors

Why It Works: Errors like incorrect late payments or wrong account information can drag your score down unnecessarily.

How to Do It: Regularly check your credit reports from the three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) for errors and dispute any inaccuracies.

6. Handle Collections Accounts

Why It Works: Paying off a collection account can prevent legal action and may improve your credit score, depending on the scoring model.

How to Do It: Negotiate with the collection agency to stop reporting the debt once it’s paid off, or dispute if the information is inaccurate.

7. Use a Secured Credit Card

Why It Works: A secured credit card helps you build credit by requiring a cash deposit that serves as your credit limit. On-time payments can boost your credit.

How to Do It: Open a secured card, use it responsibly, and make sure the issuer reports your activity to all three credit bureaus.

8. Get Credit for Rent and Utility Payments

Why It Works: Services like Experian Boost can add your rent and utility payments to your credit report, which can improve your score.

How to Do It: Link your bank account to rent-reporting services or Experian Boost to track on-time payments.

9. Add to Your Credit Mix

Why It Works: A variety of credit types—like credit cards and loans—can positively affect your score. Adding a different type of credit can improve your mix.

How to Do It: If you only have credit cards, consider a small personal loan, or vice versa.

Final Thoughts

Improving your credit score takes time, but these strategies can speed up the process. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to raise your score and unlock better financial opportunities.

Need help boosting your credit score? Reach out to discuss the best strategies for your unique situation!

Chenine Lozano, Real Estate Finance Expert
W: (562) 620-7662
C: 562-762-7511
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