Positive Score Factors

Delinquencies on your accounts.
A delinquency is a payment that was made 30 or more days late. None or very few delinquencies on your account can cause your score to improve.

What You Can Do
Keep paying bills on time every month since it is important for maintaining a good credit score. If you remain behind with any payments, bring them current as soon as possible, and then make future payments on time. Over time, this will have a positive impact on your score. Continue reading Positive Score Factors

Maintaining Good Credit Habits

– Don’t max your credit cards
– Keep a healthy credit utilization ratio (most creditors consider a ratio of 35% or lower as healthy)
– Make your monthly credit card payments on time
– Keep tabs on your scores and check your credit report regularly

In general, keeping a low balance on your credit card or paying your credit card off each month is ideal. However, letting your credit cards sit idle, without activity, it may not benefit you as the creditors have nothing to report.

VantageScore®

Your VantageScore® and grade is based primarily on a 24-month review of your credit report. Your credit report has information – such as your history of payment punctuality, the total amount of your available credit, the total amount and type of debt you have, the number of open and active accounts, and the longevity of your relationships with creditors.

Changing Monthly Due Date for your Credit Card

Most credit card companies will let you change their card’s monthly due date. Doing so may help you spread your expenses more evenly within each month. Just remember, if you end up calling in and getting your monthly due date changed, take note of it so you don’t forget and miss a payment! Also, changing the credit card’s monthly due date may only be allowed once during a specific period of time.