When it comes to credit scores, most people want to know how theirs can be higher, and lots of people are looking for ways to improve their credit rating and get closer to that coveted score of 850 – or at least a healthy number in the 700’s. The secret of getting your credit score as high as possible is understanding exactly what goes into a credit score, and what elements you can influence by making the right moves. For example, when you know that making on-time payments is the most important factor in your credit score, you can focus on making sure you get your bills paid on time and not worry quite as much about having different types of credit, which doesn’t carry as much weight in the overall picture of your credit health.
The following infographic explains how to give your credit score a tune-up, whether your credit is already pretty good, or needs a serious makeover. What does “debt to credit ratio” mean, and why do you need to know? If you miss a payment, how many points will it knock off your credit score? What about a bankruptcy? How much does your overall credit limit or the amount of time you’ve had a credit card affect your credit score? Read on and find out what’s bringing your score down – and how to pull it back up. Also, does your state have good credit? Find out which states’ citizens are most in need of a credit tune-up, and who has excellent credit with a state-by-state color-coded credit map.
