Have bad credit? Here’s what you can do to help fix it

Toxic credit is a big stepping stone to financial struggles. Here’s how to fight the good fight and repair bad credit – before it damages your finances. (iStock)

It’s no secret that having bad credit can severely hinder one’s financial experience. The worse the credit score, the worse the experience.

“Bad credit is generally any score under 650, though this can certainly fluctuate depending on credit usage,” said Alex Miller, founder of UpgradedPoints.com, a digital platform that offers financial advice to travelers. “Specifically, bad credit can lead to higher interest rates, less money offered on loans, denial of credit cards, and a more difficult time to get everyday transactions done, such as buying a car, getting a mortgage, or other routine tasks. It can even lead to job denial for jobs that check credit history.”

However, that doesn’t need to be the case, not when fixing bad credit is a highly doable proposition.

“There are no shortcuts to fixing a bad credit score, but like many things it can be done with hard work and diligence,” said Matthew Gaffey, certified financial planner at Corbett Road Wealth Management, in McLean, Va.

If improving your credit score is your objective, consider following these steps:

1. Check your credit score
2. Pay off any debts in collection status
3. Consolidate your debt
4. Get under 30% credit utilization
5. Use a credit monitoring tool
6. Dispute an error on your credit report

Not sure where you fit on the credit score spectrum? Then you should start using a credit monitoring service to track changes to your credit score. Credible can get you set up with a free service today.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TACKLE CREDIT CARD DEBT?

1. Check your credit score

The first step toward fixing bad credit is to visit annualcreditreport.com where you can get a free credit report. “The reports are updated weekly, and are for free,” said Clint Lotz, president of TrackStar.ai, a predictive API for the financial sector.

2. Pay off any debts in collection status

Financial consumers looking to repair their credit should enter repayment mode. Debts that are in collections should be a priority, as they make a difference on credit reports.

“We all know that a collection is a bad thing, but if someone with bad credit were to go payoff that collection today and it’s from an emergency room visit three years ago, the ‘date of last activity’ on the credit report will be updated from three years ago to today,” Lotz said. “This move is all but guaranteed to bring the credit score down substantially.”

3. Consolidate your debt

Another step to start improving your credit score is to consolidate some or all of your debt. “Many banks, credit card companies, and other lenders would love for you to consolidate their debt with their particular company and likely will give you an incentive to do so,” Gaffey said. “For example, some will provide you with 0% interest on that debt for a specific period of time (i.e. for six, 12, or 18 months).”

Visiting Credible can help you compare debt consolidation options to find the best personal loan rates for you, based on your credit score and credit history.

CREDIT CARD REFINANCING VS. DEBT CONSOLIDATION: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE

4. Get under 30% credit utilization

If a consumer has lines of credit where more than 30% of the limit is being used, which is called credit utilization, start paying it down as fast as possible. “Credit utilization accounts for 30% of a credit score and can be one of the quickest ways to raise a credit score,” Lotz said.

5. Use a credit monitoring tool

The benefits of using a credit monitoring tool are numerous.

“First, they provide constant monitoring of all three credit reports, with real-term alerts and notifications of any changes,” said Nicole Kubin, founder of Strategic Divorce Advisory, a financial services firm based in New York. “A credit monitoring firm can flag identity theft issues and may even be able to offer identity…