5 Smart Ways to Boost your Credit Score

Published on: 12 May 2017 Last Updated on: 29 October 2024

It’s a myth that you have a single credit score.

You probably know that your three-digit credit scores based on the information of your credit reports are a major factor in deciding whether you get a loan or not.

Your credit score can influence everything; from interest rates to your rentals, premiums, and even job eligibility too. Also, the interest rate you are going to pay for loans, mortgages, and credit cards is determined by this score.

When you have a good credit score; the lenders easily lend you the money that too at lower rates than others.

Your credit scores are not static and improving it can take time; from a year to two years- depending on the kinds of changes needed to be made. With the interest rates going high every day; it is essential to get started for improving your credit score if it is not high as it should be. Here are the five smart ways, which you can use to boost your credit score quickly and in an efficient manner.

Check Your Credit Reports

With so much running in your previous credit history; now, it’s a good time to get your credit report from the best credit bureaus, which will make sure that your report is correct and is reflecting your proper borrowing activities.

If you find an error in any of the reports, you have to go through all the necessary steps of removing it. Start by calling the credit bureaus to report them the wrong information and by asking them to update it in your account.

Your credit score will considerably improve just be getting the negative information corrected.

Pay your Bills on Time

Well, your payment history reflects 35% of your score.

Not paying the bills on time is the biggest influence on your credit card score. Lenders report a late payment to the credit bureaus once the thirty days have passed from the bill’s due date. Also, one late payment stays on your credit report for seven years.

To avoid, keep an eye on all your credit card bills and set your important payments to auto-pay so that your mandatory bills are always paid. You need to pay you all the dues on time to improve your credit score in a matter of months.

Eliminate Credit Card Balances

Credit card balances come under the category of bad debt. Make a proper and step by step plan to waive off your credit card debt and overall utilization. One way is to make use of the 0% balance transfer offer. Another way is to use a personal loan to pay off your accumulated credit card debt. Loans and transfers work as a great option if you use the promotional period to pay the debt.

At last, you can gather all the credit cards and pay all the small balances off. Paying all your credit card will also reduce the amount of interest you are paying every month.

Don’t Apply for a New Credit

Whenever you apply for a new loan or credit, it generates a new entry on your credit report. Credit report entries are only the way how lenders come to know that you have been applying for the credits.

So, if you’ve applied for new credit; there is nothing you can do rather than waiting for them to disappear as these inquiries stay on your report for two years. It is recommended that you should not apply for new credits when trying to improve your credit score.

Even a small change can mean big improvements.

Keep your Old Accounts Open

Keeping your old accounts work will help you keep long credit history on your report. If you had debt on your old accounts and you have handled and paid it well makes good for your credit report.

It is very important to get the highest credit score possible as it has a huge effect on your financial life. Also, everyone’s score is unique, so there is no hard set of rules to improve your credit score.

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Surviving Loss: What to Do With an Estate After You Lose a Loved One

2.4 million funerals take place in the U.S. every year. If you're not in the funeral business, this is a sobering thought. When a parent dies, the grief and pain you are dealing with can often be compounded by financial pressures if you are named as their executor. In a way, it is flattering to be named a parent's executor. It means they trusted your intelligence, patience, and fairness enough to appoint you the overseer of their property after they are gone. In other ways, it is overwhelming to consider the number of debts, unknown assets, and contentious relatives you will need to keep a record of. If you are unsure what to do when a parent dies and you are the executor, take a deep breath, pick up a pen, and begin to approach your responsibilities in an organized, measured way. What to Do When A Parent Dies and You Are the Executor: Right after someone dies, there is usually a period of chaos. During this time, the estate needs to be opened, and the executor is appointed to avoid surprises by debt collectors or the IRS. You may have already been appointed the executor in a will. No one should begin to take or distribute assets yet. As the executor, it is your job to decide whether or not the will should go into probate, which is the official "proving" of the will in court. If the estate is larger, or if there is some disagreement about the will, probate may be necessary before you can begin carrying out your duties as the executor. When you go through probate, you will have to file papers with the local probate court, prove that the will is valid, and present the court with a list of debts and assets. You should also explain how they should be distributed. The probate process could take anywhere from a few months to a year. If your parent set up a living trust, you won't have to go through probate. The person named as the trust's successor will be able to distribute assets according to the will without having to go through the courts. Your overall responsibility as the executor is to make sure that all debts and creditors of the deceased are paid off. Then the rest of their assets can be distributed according to their expressed wishes. An executor is different from a power of attorney, who makes decisions about life-sustaining medical treatments while a loved one is still alive. Once they have passed, the power of attorney is no longer valid. If there are any dependent children or pets, you will need to be certain that guardians are appointed in accordance with the decedent's wishes. These are often complicated things to handle, you might want to enlist the services if an expert right away. Thomas Church, Florida Will Contest Attorney is one of the best Estate Litigation experts in USA. Get the Right Paperwork: Your first duty as the executor is to find your parent's will. It could be filed away with important paperwork or in the hands of their attorney. It is usually necessary to file with a probate court, even if it is determined that probate is not necessary. If there is a will in place, you will receive letters testamentary, which is a legal document authorizing you as the executor to take control over the decedent's estate. If there is no will, you will receive letters of administration. You can then begin your work as an executor. You should also be certain that a pronouncement of death has been filed. This is a letter filled out by a medical professional stating where and when the decedent died. A death certificate should become available after the funeral. You can obtain it from your funeral home, county registrar, or health department. About 10-15 copies should be sufficient to cover your administration needs. You will need the certificate to prove the situation to insurance, credit card, and mortgage companies. If you find you need more copies, they can be obtained from the Department of Vital Records. It is important to begin keeping a list of assets and liabilities before liquidating assets, paying off debts, and distributing funds among beneficiaries. Acquiring credit card statements, mortgage statements, vehicle registrations, a social security card, and copies of insurance policies will also make the process smoother. You should be sure to punch a hole in the decedent's driver's license and passport to help prevent fraud. Giles & Robinson, P.A. explains that an ancillary administration can take six to nine months to finalize. Hire Some Help: An estate attorney, like Verhaeghe Law, can help you avoid mistakes that could cost you money in the long run. A financial consultant can help with asset transfers. An insurance agent can assist with claims forms to help make sure beneficiaries are paid. The costs of the funeral, as well as getting the decedent's affairs in order, are taken from the estate. Don't be afraid to ask for help to make sure the process goes smoothly and does not end up making you liable for problems that may arise. Stop Payments: The decedent's estate is responsible for any debts that arise after death. Heirs and beneficiaries are not responsible, although some feel a sense of moral responsibility to pay them off. You should notify all credit card companies, government agencies, utility companies, and mortgage banks of the death. This will help you to avoid late charges, and accounts will be transferred to decedent status. Doctors and other health professionals who may be owed fees should also be notified. Check the decedent's credit card statements and be certain to cancel any payments with "auto-renewal," such as those for magazine subscriptions, AARP, AAA, and clubs. You may want to wait a month or two before closing the decedent's primary credit card so that you can view the companies that need to be notified. Be certain to contact the three main credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion, immediately. They can flag the decedent's account so no one will try to steal their identity. It is also a good idea to check back two months later to be certain no fraud has occurred. You should be sure to notify Social Security so they will stop payments and you will not be responsible to pay back posthumous checks. If your parent was employed at the time of their death, you will need to call their employer. You can find out about any payments due to them, death benefits, life insurance policies, and beneficiary benefits. Pay Off Debts: Keep a list of how much your parent owed to mortgage companies, credit card companies, car payments, etc. You may need to liquidate assets, such as selling houses or cars, to pay off these debts. Check with a CPA to see if your decedent's taxes have been paid. Money from the estate can be used to pay any money owed to the IRS. You will also need to file taxes for your parent from the day of the year they passed until the date of death. If the estate is large, there may also be state or federal estate taxes to pay. Consolidate Assets: The executor should open a separate bank account for ongoing bills, as well as incoming checks. Keep valuables safe in a safety deposit box. You should hire an assessor to see how much their property is worth. It is your duty as the executor to maintain the decedent's property until it is sold or bequeathed to the proper beneficiary. Distribute Assets and Maintain Healthy Communication: After all known debts are paid, you can begin distributing remaining funds to the family as specified in the will. It is important to get and keep a signed receipt from each beneficiary after they are paid. Many arguments and breakdowns during the asset distribution process happen because folks feel that they are being overlooked or marginalized. It is important to let them know what the timeline is so that they will know exactly what is being done with the funds and when they can expect to receive funds that are due them. It is a good idea to take some time before making investments with estate funds, as grieving can be an emotionally overwhelming time for most. Close the Estate: You may be required to file a petition in court before distributing assets and closing the estate. As the executor, your duty is complete. Take Care of Yourself: Losing a parent can be one of the most confusing, disheartening times in an individual's life. If you are overwhelmed by the complications of what to do when a parent dies and you are the executor, be sure to enlist the help of qualified professionals. By keeping detailed records, liquidating assets, paying off debts, and distributing assets, you can be assured that your parent's affairs have been handled properly and you can begin taking steps toward the next chapter in your life. For more lifestyle advice, read our blog today. Read Also: Eight Essential Tips For Getting Out Of Debt 9 Vital Options For When You’re Desperate For Money

How to Select the Best Investment Plan for Your Child?

As parents, you want many things for your child - happiness, health, and a secure financial future. You also want that your child should excel in his/her career. Just imagine your kiddo becoming a star athlete or a budding biologist or a successful entrepreneur who appears in headlines from time to time. Your joy will know no bounds! However, when you want to provide the best of everything to your child, you will have to move beyond the basic parenting skills and contribute to his/her holistic growth. For that purpose, it is sensible to save money for your child’s future and keep him/her financially secure, even in your absence. A good way to start is to invest in an Online Savings Plan, popularly known as ‘Child Investment Plan’. An online savings plan serves the dual purpose of investment and insurance. Most importantly, it fulfils two major requirements: It secures your child’s future financially It provides financial aid at various stages of your child’s life such as higher education, starting a business, or getting married However, with several child investment plans available in the market today, it can become difficult to choose the plan that best meets your child’s needs. Following tips will help you make an informed decision: Determine the Monetary Value Attached to Your Child’s Dreams As a responsible parent, your first step should be identifying and prioritizing your child’s goals and the monetary value attached to them. The two main goals for which you would need significant financial funding is your child’s education and marriage. As far as education is considered, for the time being, decide your child’s goal on behalf him/her and know for sure when the cash is required. Reach a decision, for instance - "I am saving for my son’s engineering degree in 2025, and I may require 20 lakhs for the same". Along these lines, calculate the required funds while taking into consideration the year of the requirement for the respective milestones. Also, with respect to your child’s education, don’t just consider funds for primary and higher education, but also plan for extracurricular activities. In short, make estimates of the amount you intend to spend on your child’s education or marriage. Doing so will help you choose the premium amount and the policy term for the best child investment plan. Go for Equity-linked Online Saving Plans If you have a higher risk appetite for equities and a considerable investment time frame (more than 10 years), you can consider opting for an online savings plan. It is essentially a unit-linked child investment plan that offers you investment as well as insurance feature in a single product. Further, this plan provides multiple investment options like equity, debt and balanced funds. So, if you have a longer investment timeframe, you can go for equity funds as investing in equities for longer duration gives the best returns. On the other hand, if you have a lower appetite, you can go for an online savings plan that offers a balanced mix of growth and debt funds. Remember that just choosing to invest for your child is not enough. Selecting the right investment plan is most important! Therefore, while making your investment decision consider the amount you can spare for investment, your income, cost of higher education, time in hand, and the level of risk. Look for Premium Waiver Benefit Almost all insurers, including Max Life Insurance, offer child plans with premium waiver benefit as a key feature of the base plan. This benefit acts as the most vital feature in case of demise of the parent. In such a situation, the child plan pays a lump sum amount to the nominee. Further, the insurer waives off all future premium, and the plan continues to be active until the entire policy term. This ensures that the maturity benefit remains intact as planned. Check for Provision of Partial Withdrawals Online saving plans also allow partial withdrawals on fixed intervals. The idea behind such partial withdrawals is to allow parents to meet the financial needs of their kids at the key milestones in their life such as admissions for extracurricular activities, admissions in educational institutions, or marriage. This option is also helpful for meeting unplanned expenses in case of medical emergencies. Other Factors to Consider for Child Investment Planning Start investing early. It will help achieve your investment target easily. Also, ‘Power of Compounding’ will play an important role when it comes to investing for your child’s future Know the different premium payment modes. You can opt to pay premiums on monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annual basis Invest in a plan that offers a well-balanced mix of equity and debt funds Track your investment at regular intervals and make appropriate changes if required Select a tax-efficient investment option Concluding Today many insurers have come up with attractive child investment plans. However, you need to be judicious about what plan you want to opt for. Also, while making your decision don’t forget to consider criteria like time horizon and age of your child. We hope that this guide will help you choose the right plan for your child and make his or her dreams a reality! Read Also: Investing And Trading 101: Investment Ideas For Newbies How Digital Advisors Have Transformed The Investment Sector Pros And Cons Of Oil And Gas Investment

7 Reasons to Apply for a Loan Online

In an ancient setup, if you require a private loan for buying an automotive, ending home renovation or maybe consolidating your Mastercard debt, you'd wear your nicest garments and head right down to the native bank to use for a private loan. Fortuitously, the web has efficient the method of applying for a private loan. You’ll currently sit within the comfort of your home and apply for a private loan online in your pyjamas. Yes, that’s new age borrowing for you! Online disposition platforms have emerged to resolve your sudden cash issues while not the hassles of you having to travel to the bank. The new online loan method is quick, convenient, and effective. And that’s not all. There are numerous alternative reasons why obtaining a web loan may be a sensible idea: 7 Reasons to Apply for a Loan Online: 1. Excellent for Emergencies: Most of the days, most of our expenses are planned. However, there are sure expenses that are not possible to foresee. At times, the necessity for cash is therefore imperative that you simply don't have the time to attend till the normal bank approves your application. online loans are apt for those emergency times as a result of your personal loan is approved and disbursed in a very matter of simply many minutes. 2. Easier Access: The global economic meltdown has created banks fussy concerning disposition cash. It’s not the case with online loan services. You’ll simply get a loan although you've got an occasional credit score or no credit history in the slightest degree. 3. Convenience: Convenience is one issue that creates online loan the well-liked alternative. The application method isn’t elaborate; you've got to fill out a straightforward on-line kind from the comfort of your home. The loan is then quickly approved and disbursed. You don’t have to be compelled to build multiple visits to ancient banks to debate your application standing with the bank staff. 4. Lower Rate of Interest: Since personal loans are unsecured loans, ancient banks charge a better charge per unit because of the danger concerned. However, several firms provide personal loans online that's accessible to a broad vary of individuals at associate degree charge per unit a lot of less than what the normal banks charge. 5. Day-and-Night Service: Emergency cash desires don't opt for a time to occur; the necessity will even arise at night time, that may be a non-convenient time because the banks are closed at that point. With online loan services, you only want a laptop computer and net to use for a private loan and find instant access to cash. 6. Saves Time: With ancient banks, you wish to perpetually follow up and watch for days to induce your loan approved. With online loan disposition apps or websites, the method of application and approval is fast and straightforward, so saving time, efforts and cash. 7. Varied Choices to Decide on from: There are currently several on-line disposition platforms like Loan Online Tap, Funds India, Credit Mantri, Money Tap, Flexi loan, etc., who are with success providing unsecured personal loans. The quantity of choices on the marketing personal finance is impressive; but, before deciding to use, research. Compare the interest rates of assorted online lenders and most significantly check whether or not they are trustworthy. In the past few years, a number of online loan companies have appeared in Canada. For example, Kingston, Ont.-based SkyCap Financial offers loans of up to $10,000 with a quick and easy approval process. It’s true that most online personal loans are based on your credit score and income and do not require any type of security or collateral. With an electronic transfer, your funds can be accessed rapidly, without the wait required by other lenders, such as the big banks. Read Also: Using Short-Term Loans To Help Rebuild Your Credit Score What Entrepreneurs With Bad Credit Need To Know Before Applying For A Loan? Why Personal Lenders Like SkyCap Financial Provide A Better Lending Experience

5 Smart Ways to Boost your Credit Score

Check Your Credit Reports

Pay your Bills on Time

Eliminate Credit Card Balances

Don’t Apply for a New Credit

Keep your Old Accounts Open

How to Get an Auto Loan at a Low Interest Rate

Tips to Lower Your Insurance Costs

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Surviving Loss: What to Do With an Estate After You Lose a Loved One

How to Select the Best Investment Plan for Your Child?

7 Reasons to Apply for a Loan Online

5 Smart Ways to Boost your Credit Score

Check Your Credit Reports

Pay your Bills on Time

Eliminate Credit Card Balances

Don’t Apply for a New Credit

Keep your Old Accounts Open

Share this Article

How to Get an Auto Loan at a Low Interest Rate

Tips to Lower Your Insurance Costs

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related