In this day and age, it’s all too easy to fall into a trap of getting yourself into a little bit of debt here and there. With finance companies making it easier than ever to sign up for buy now and pay later schemes, it’s no wonder that the US is in approximately $21 trillion of debt. Not only does being in debt affect your way of living, but it can also affect your ability to apply for mortgages and loans in the future.
So today, we’re looking at some options that you can take so that you can rebalance your credit file after a rocky spell. Check it out:
Keep an eye on your credit score
You’ve probably seen or heard adverts surrounding the whole idea of credit score. You can obtain a credit report from many different sources, and you’ll be given a number (usually out of around 700) indicating how you rank. Lenders look at this score and judge whether or not they can trust you before agreeing to any kind of loan, mortgage, or finance.
It’s important to keep an eye on your credit score so that you can build up a decent report. Many people shy away from the idea because of jargon and numbers that they don’t understand. However, credit reports are there to help you build yourself back up.
Even if you’ve never owed money or been in debt, lenders may still not see you as a trustworthy source. You need to build up a credit file to show that you can handle money well; therefore letting lenders know that they can trust you.
Often credit reports will advise you on ways that you can increase your overall score. Sometimes taking out a credit card will help you build up a reputable score, but you must be sure that you’ll be able to handle a credit card wisely. There are tonnes of different ways in which you can build your credit score, and your first step is keeping an eye on it!
Look at your rental history report
Sometimes bad credit can stem from something as simple as a few missed payments of your rent in the past. It’s totally understandable that every now and then you might miss a payment or two, especially if you’re going through financial hardship. However, this will reflect on your credit file and also on your rental history report.
This means that in the future if you’re trying to find a new home to rent, you may have difficulty with landlords because they will see that in the past you’ve missed payments. However, you can view your rental history report and possibly settle any missed payments with previous landlords. Clearing this report will help rebalance your credit file for sure.
Obtain professional help with your debt
When you’re in mountains of debt it can be difficult to see a silver lining. In these kinds of situations, it’s important to obtain professional help with your debt. The next problem you may face is knowing who to turn to at times like this. Debt consolidation companies are usually the best route to take for many reasons:
- After a certain period of time, your debt can (sometimes) be wiped.
- They will handle all of the creditors you owe, meaning no more harassing calls/letters.
- They will work out your finances with you so that you can agree on an affordable repayment amount
- While debt consolidation companies also need to make their profits, they will always provide the best advice tailored to your situation. So, if they think you’d be better off declaring bankruptcy, they will tell you from the start instead of stringing you along.
While it’s totally possible to dig your own way out of debt, seeking professional help will ensure that you stay on the right track.
Cut out unwanted/unused subscriptions
Finally, we’re all guilty of signing ourselves up to services and subscriptions that we don’t really need or want, and now is a better time than ever to cut out these payments. Take a look at everything that’s going out of your account each month and simply cancel anything that’s not essential. The money that you’re saving each month can go towards getting yourself out of debt and most importantly, rebalancing your credit file.
As you can see, taking small but clever steps with your finances can indeed help rebalance your credit history. Remember that no matter how much debt you’re in, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and if you follow this advice, you’ll soon be on the road to a more financially stable life!