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Will These Financial Decisions Improve Your Credit Score?

David Monforton
David Monforton 1 Min Read
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Certain decisions to make to improve your credit score

A high credit score can be the difference between affording a new home or car—or having monthly payments that wreck your budget. But do you know whether your daily financial decisions improve your credit score? Find out with a few of these common questions people ask.

Should you carry a balance on my credit card?

Paying off your full balance every month ensures that you aren’t carrying any debt on your credit card, while building credit by responsibly using your card. Failing to pay off your credit card each month can indicate that you may be overextending yourself. Paying off the balance helps your credit score and saves you money because you won’t incur interest. 

Should you open a store credit card to save an extra 20%?

It may sound harmless, but applying for multiple credit cards over a short time might cause creditors to consider you a higher-risk customer. Why? They may think you’re short on cash and about to rack up a lot of debt. Saving a few dollars up front usually isn’t worth the long-term impact on your credit.

As you build credit, should you keep credit to a minimum and use one card or take advantage of various types of loans and credit cards?

To improve your credit rating, it’s best to have a mix of credit cards and installment loans. Lenders tend to favor consumers who can handle different types of credit, like home loans, student loans and credit cards. To get the sweetest deals—low interest rates and higher limits—maintain a diverse portfolio of credit.

Could your credit score be affected by being added as an authorized user for a friend or family member?

Although an authorized user gets the full benefits of the card, in the eyes of the credit card company, you are still responsible for all payments. If your friend or family member misses any payments or racks up a high balance, it will lower your score.

Should you request your credit score before applying for a new line of credit?

Requesting your credit score is considered a soft inquiry, so it won’t affect your score. Keep in mind that you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report per year from the three major credit bureaus. Good to know: Credit checks from your existing lenders and from businesses sending you promotional offers are also considered soft inquiries.

Should you charge a store credit cards limit just because there is a promotional offer for six months?

If you’re carrying a high balance and are close to the card’s limit, you may knock your credit score down. And the longer the debt is untouched, the bigger the impact on your score. Your credit utilization—the amount of your credit card balance compared to the credit limit—is one of the biggest factors that influence your credit score.

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