If you have a history of late payments, unpaid bills, or accounts sent for collection, your credit record will suffer. A bad credit record gives you a low credit score and makes it difficult for you to get needed credit or loans for things you really need.
Your credit history
Most everything you do with credit, both good and bad, is reported to a credit reporting agency. A history of paying late, or not paying at all, is sent to credit reporting agencies. Bankruptcies, judgments and liens also find their way to your credit report and hurt your credit rating.
The good news is that positive information is also sent to credit reporting agencies. To keep track of your credit standing, you should review your credit report at least once each year. You can correct errors and clean up any wrong information that might be on your report. Review your credit report and correct errors.
How to improve your credit rating
Here are some of the best ways to improve your credit rating:
Pay bills on time. Late payments really hurt your credit standing. It is best to pay the entire balance on your credit cards each month. If you cant, be sure to...