Unfortunately, according to Experian, 49 million American adults (roughly one in five) cannot be evaluated by the most popular credit scoring algorithms. That's because they don't have enough credit information on file.
How Credit Scores Are Calculated There are a few different details to calculating your overall credit score -- the number lenders use to determine your credit score.
FICO (The Fair Isaac Company) developed the most widely used credit rating formula. The most important factor in a FICO score is payment history, which accounts for 35% of the score. This is followed by how much you owe (30%), the length of your credit history (15%), your credit portfolio (10%), and how much credit you have applied for recently (10%).
In general, it's best to pay your bills on time, keep your debt low, and demonstrate that you can successfully manage different types of credit over the long term (without applying for too many loans in quick succession). These habits can help you build and maintain high scores.
Credit scores are widely used by lenders and are generally considered a reliable indicator of whether a potential borrower will repay their financial obligations on time.
Your credit score is similar to a student's standardized test scores, such as SAT scores on college applications. But just as some have found that standardized tests are not an accurate barometer of academic ability, credit scores have their detractors.
Why Some People Complain About Credit Scores One of the most famous credit naysayers is Dave Ramsey, best-selling author and anti-debt fighter.
As his organization's website states, "Remember, a credit score is basically just an 'I love debt. Your actual net worth or how much you have in the bank. In other words, it’s really nothing to be proud of. The only way to maintain good credit is to get in debt and stay there – no thanks!”
While some of these statements have some truth, there are also some dubious claims that warrant further investigation. Best of all, it's entirely possible to build your credit rating without taking on any debt.
How to Improve Your Credit Score Using a Credit Card When used correctly, credit cards are a great example of how to build credit without going into debt.
You can avoid interest as long as you pay your balance in full each billing cycle. However, unlike a debit card, using a credit card counts towards your credit score.
Of course, there's a reason some people say credit cards are like power tools (they can be very useful, or dangerous). If you're nervous about overspending and running into debt, use a credit card with protection.
For example, TomoCredit offers the Tomo credit card, which is a great starting point for many people. It works on the Mastercard network, but unlike most credit cards, it's a charge card (so you can't carry any with you).
In fact, it uses a 7-day automatic payment cycle (most credit cards have a monthly billing cycle). This short-term deposit structure helps limit the company's and cardholder's risk. TomoCredit is in the cash flow underwriting business. That means the company doesn't rely on credit scores. Instead, it takes a detailed look at an applicant's bank account to see how much money is coming in and out each month. Its target audience is immigrants and young people who may not even have a FICO score because they are new to credit (at least in the US) but manage their finances responsibly, e.g. spend less than they earn each month .
Signing up for a Tomo Card is a smart way to start your credit journey. Cardholder account usage is reported to all three credit reporting agencies, allowing responsible payment habits to build credit without accumulating debt. TomoCredit can offer much higher credit limits than secured cards (credit cards that require a deposit). Note that while there are potential benefits to having more available credit, e.g. greater spending power, people who are concerned about overspending may find a secured card to be a safer place to start.
Student and personal credit cards are other common entry points into the credit card market, as they tend to be easier to qualify for than most other credit cards. However, interest rates on these products can be high and you may find yourself in debt. So be sure to repay the loan in full and on time, and don't spend too much money.
These and other entry cards often have low credit limits, which can limit potential debt, although it's also easy to use most of your available credit line (which is bad for your credit score). Going back to the power tool analogy, it's all about how you use them.
I also like the idea of being able to access a parent's credit card account as an authorized user. This can improve your credit score without real penalties, since you can always remove yourself from the account if something goes wrong (for example, if the primary account holder is late on payments or owes too much debt).
Other Less Traditional Ways to Build Credit
Some financial institutions offer home loans. These are basically a form of forced savings. You save money for a period of time each month (usually 6 to 24 months) and keep most of the money when it matures. There are usually some fees, but these loans can be a low-risk, debt-free way to improve your credit score.
You can also build your credit score with other credit monitoring programs like Experian Boost, eCredable Lift, and Altro. These plans include payments that don't traditionally count towards your credit score, such as B. rent, utilities, and streaming subscriptions. By signing up for one or more of these services, you may gain a lot of useful information that will skyrocket your credit score.
final result
At some point, almost everyone seeks out a loan or line of credit. This could be student loans, mortgages, car loans, credit cards or others. Credit checks are also common for certain obligations that do not involve debt, such as B. renting an apartment or signing up for utility or cell phone service. Some employers even check potential employees' credit reports.
A good credit score can open many doors, while a low or non-existent score can lead to many rejections. Make sure you monitor your credit score regularly and consider following these steps to improve your credit score without breaking the bank.