Your credit score ratings can influence everything from whether you get a mortgage to whether you get a job. In fact, more and more businesses are using this number to determine how good a prospect you are. From insurance companies to cell phone companies, these numbers are increasingly coming into play. Here are five ways to increase your credit score ratings.
First of all, you should pay all of your bills on time every month. This may mean making a budget and sticking to it. Your debt payment history is the biggest portion of your credit score ratings. It makes up 35 percent of the formula. If you have a good credit score and you miss even one payment, it can knock your score down by 50 or even 100 points. If you have trouble paying your bills on time, consider putting your bills on automatic payment. Then, after all of the bills are paid, you know how much you have left for your play money.
Next, pay down your debts. Unless you use your credit card solely as a convenience and pay it off in full each month, try to find ways to use your credit card less. Part of the formula that determines your credit score ratings includes what is known as the credit...