How to get business funding and fix your credit
Understanding Credit: Building a Strong Foundation A good credit history is like a financial resume; it tells lenders how responsible you are with borrowed money. It's not just about getting loans; it influences everything from renting an apartment to getting better insurance rates. How Your Credit Score Works Your credit score is a three-digit number that summarizes your creditworthiness. Most common are FICO and VantageScore models. Here are the key factors that influence it: * Payment History (35%): This is the most crucial factor. Paying your bills on time, every time, is essential. Late payments can severely damage your score. * Amounts Owed / Credit Utilization (30%): This refers to how much of your available credit you're using. Keeping your credit utilization low (ideally below 30%) shows you're not over-reliant on credit. For example, if you have a credit card with a $1,000 limit, try to keep your balance below $300. * Length of Credit History (15%): The longer ...