How to fix your credit score in 6 months?

How to improve credit score in 6 months?

The first step is to take control of things and decide that you want to increase your credit score in 6 months.

According to a 2021 report, the average FICO credit score in the country is not very high with the average standing at 711. There’s a need for people to give a boost to their credit scores since a low score comes with several problems including high-interest rates.

If you search for terms like “fix my credit report” you will find dozens of articles including some that’ll promise to help you raise your credit score 100 points in 6 months. While it is possible to increase it in a few months, nobody can promise exactly how much you’ll gain. The average credit score after the first 6 months can be anywhere between +1 to + 100.

To get changes, start by controlling how much you spend and try to avoid debt. This is where the secret lies. If you already owe money then come up with a plan to ensure you can make timely payments.

5 Steps to fix your credit score

Want to know how to get a 720 credit score and above in 6 months? Check out these great tips that will help give a boost to your standing:

1. Know How You Utilize Credit

Credit utilization can help you understand your financial condition and allow you to come up with the right plan. It refers to the ratio between your total credit limit and your credit balances (used).

Your credit utilization must be under 30 percent. You can calculate it by dividing your balances to your limits and multiplying the resultant number by 100 percent. However, we must mention that very low utilization is not good, despite how it looks on paper..

The best way to build your score is to have a decent amount of credit available to you but not 0% utilization. Once you understand your financial situation, you will be in a better position.

The right action depends on where you stand financially. Someone who has maxed out will need a different strategy compared to someone who has only utilized 20 of their limit.

2. Hire the Services of a Professional

This can be a great option if you are willing to pay to fix your credit.

These companies are known for reviewing credit reports, comparing numbers, and identifying issues such as misreported amounts or incorrect quotes. They can get in touch with your creditors and credit bureaus to help get these items off your report, which can boost your credit score.

The process can take anywhere from one to six months depending on how complicated a case is. While you can do everything on your own that a credit repair does, working with professionals might be a better idea, especially if you have no understanding of how agencies or credit scores work.

Getting in touch with creditors, sending the proof, and communicating with agencies can be a hectic job that can often be too tiring. While these agencies will typically charge you a monthly fee, it’s often worth the money, given how much they can help you remove. Plus, some companies even offer guarantees, i.e.: they’ll refund your money if they fail to remove any items off your list.

They don’t promise to improve the score but they guarantee to remove items off your list, which, in most cases, does boost the score. Some of the best companies offering credit repair services include The Credit Pros, Sky Blue Credit, The Credit People, and Credit Saint.

While most come with similar services, they differ in terms of reliability, cost, and customer service. Check our reviews for a full understanding of how credit repairs work so you can choose the right provider.

3. Avoid Closing Accounts

You might not have expected to see this heading in this ‘how to fix my credit report’ article but the truth is that closing your account may harm your credit history.

You could benefit from aging accounts. The more cards you have, the better will be your utilization ratio. However, this doesn’t mean you should go ahead and apply for new loans or cards.

Let’s do some maths:

• Owing $500 on four credit cards with a limit of $4,000 each is a 20 percent utilization ratio. This is considered good.
• On the other hand, owning $2,000 on a single card with a limit of $4,000 is bad as it is 40 percent utilization. It’s too high.

You can choose to consolidate the amount into a single payment for ease but don’t close your existing accounts yet.

4. Make Timely Payments and Only Go For Credit When You Need It

The best way to improve your credit is to make timely payments and avoid applying for loans unless you truly need the money. Creditors and financial institutions report to credit agencies. Every time you miss a payment, your account will suffer.

Similarly, every time you apply for a loan and get rejected, your account will suffer. The best way to protect your rating and boost it is to get rid of debt as soon as possible and to avoid loans unless you are sure you can pay it in a timely manner.

You can also consider settling your debts. Creditors are willing to negotiate a settlement if you have a good reason and decent history. Some good reasons include the death of a loved one, job loss, major accidents, etc.

If you need cash for a settlement, then look towards your savings, loved ones, or 401(k) as these options don’t show up on the report unless they’re given as a loan. In some cases, settlement may be the only option. It can save you from getting bankrupt and losing your assets.

5. Consolidate Your Debt

For some people, dealing with a lot of small payments can be a huge issue. If you’re having trouble making timely payments then consider consolidating several debts into one. Credit companies do not seem to like people with several small balances as they’re considered a ‘nuisance’.

While there’s no proof that consolidation solely can help improve your credit score, the fact remains that debt consolidation can make it easier to make payments, which can have a direct impact on your score.

This can be done in two ways:

• Transfer your balances to another card but make sure to choose one that comes with more favorable terms.
• Apply for another loan that is more affordable and easier to pay and use the money to get rid of debts.

The second option is more favorable but hard to get since you need a decent score to get an affordable loan.

Conclusion

We hope this guide on how to boost your credit score in 6 months will help you get your desired results.

Start by seeing where you stand financially, and get rid of debts that you can pay off without closing old accounts or opening new ones unless you really need money or you’re planning to consolidate debt.