The average credit score across the U.S. is 723. Approximately 58% of Americans have healthy credit scores ranging from 700 to 850. This percentage constitutes 13% having scores from 800 and above, 27% with scores 750 to 799 and 18% with scores from 700 to 749.

But what about the remaining 42% of us? Well, there are those of us who don’t even know what our credit score is and we’re afraid to find out. We’re the people that need credit repair. There are many reasons for taking action to improve your credit. The obvious reason for credit repair is to improve your credit score so you can afford big-ticket items such as a car, furniture, that vacation to Tahiti you’ve been dreaming of or the purchase of a new home. But, what happens when unexpected events occur such as the illness of a loved one, loss of a job, sudden economic downturns, such as the recent stock market crash or loss of employment? In these cases, having immediate access to funds is crucial and if you have little or no savings, where can you turn? You can turn to your available credit. But what if you have bad credit? Then what?

Most of us who need credit repair have obviously lived beyond our means. We have bit off more than we can chew. We’ve spent more than we make and now we owe money to one or more creditors. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. We don’t need to stick our head in the sand and do nothing to repair our credit problems. When we ignore the problem, hoping it will go away, all the while, our payments are being attacked by higher interest rates every month and doubling our balances, making our situation worse. It’s never too late to repair your credit and the worst thing you can do when you are in debt is to pretend it doesn’t exist.

There are several ways to begin repairing your credit. One way is to contact your creditors and negotiate a payment plan that will be mutually agreeable to both parties. If you can’t come to a settlement with your creditor then consider seeking assistance from a credit counseling agency. These agencies can help you assess your debt and help you to create a budget that will allow you to begin making payments against your debt that is more affordable to you.

However, be aware that there are many fraudulent companies out there claiming they can remove bankruptcies and other bad information from your credit report. These companies charge fees upfront and also charge hidden fees that can cause you to fall deeper into debt. Do your research. Even if the agency says they are non-profit, don’t immediately trust anyone. Get online and search for reputable credit repair services or ask your friends and family to refer you to a good source of credit counseling. Once you find a service you think is trustworthy, check them against the Better Business Bureau, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and your District Attorney’s office.

Also, when re-building your credit, remember that the most important factor to focus on is the ratio of your account balances to your credit limits. A good policy when utilizing credit is to use only 30% of your available credit and if you need more credit, apply for another credit card, maintaining the same rule. This way you won’t max out one card, which causes you to get in too deep. The second most important factor is making your payments on time, proving to the credit companies that you are a trustworthy borrower who can pay off their debts.

For more information concerning credit repair, visit the following websites: myfico.com and ftc.gov. They have a plethora of information on credit and will be a good starting place on your journey to credit repair. Begin today to repair your credit. Fixing your credit doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to repair it. But, if you stay vigilant in your quest for repair, you credit report may come up smelling like roses.

One of the most vital steps which can be taken by you, when considering finance is be acquainted with your FICO and have a correct figure of your credit status. There are loads of factors, which can easily affect your score and can lead a bad impression on your FICO score. Some of the errors might not be made by you. So always have a clear idea of your report and credit score, so that you can make out if there are any unusual changes in your score.

Basing on your current and past financial activities your credit report and FICO credit score is been calculated. In this all your payments and balances to mortgages, credit cards, car lease, utility bills and any other loans is included. If you had made your past payments on time, you can have a good FICO score and credit report.

Generally a FICO score ranges between 300 to 850

A person with ratings of 700 to 850 is considered with excellent credit

A person with ratings of 680 to 699 is considered with a good credit

A person with ratings of 620 to 679 is considered as average credit

A person with ratings of 500 to 580 is considered as low credit

A person with ratings of 300 to 499 is considered as bad credit

If you know where your FICO scores stands, then you can make out the kind of loans which you can receive and interest rates which you will be charged. You can improve your money and credit score if you educate yourself with your own financial situation.

Make it as a main concern to find out your FICO credit score and credit report, as it can be very helpful for you.

Credit cards have long been a popular form of purchasing items on a “chargeable” or borrowed term. Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of having a credit card are:

1. Security, since one does not have to carry a large amount of cash to purchase certain items.

2. Convenience. In case one has to purchase an item that is immediately needed (and is out of cash), these can be purchased using a credit card

3. Cash advances. Purchases that require cash payments may still be accommodated by the credit card through the cash advance feature. This works like a regular ATM transaction (with of course a corresponding interest rate)

Disadvantages

1. Interest rate. Unlike purchasing with cash, credit card charges come with a corresponding interest (unless paid before the due date). The consumer should be aware of the various interest rates offered by the different credit card companies. One has to choose the mode of payment (plus the interest rate) that would best suit his or her capacity to pay.

2. Overuse. A consumer tends to purchase items that are not really needed or included in their budget if they have a credit card that is ready to use.

3. Annual fees. Whether one chooses to use his or her card, after activation, annual fees will be charged.

4. Other charges. A delay in the payment during one billing period would incur you additional charges.

Credit card online approval usually is far easier than manual applications that require various forms to be completed before it can be processed. The company likewise is more likely to receive your application on a shorter period of time as compared to snail-mailing your forms.

For a faster credit card online approval, take into consideration the following:

1. Do not leave any unanswered line, especially those marked with a red asterisk.

2. After completion of the online application, immediately send either through email or facsimile the additional requirements needed.

3. Take into consideration that credit card companies prioritize applications of the following group of people:

- married couples

- persons with a mortgaged house or car

- persons with several dependents

4. Choose credit card companies that have a promotional offer in the application process, chances are, promos are offered due to low application rate, thus prioritization your entry is a sure shot.

The logic here is that the more obligations an applicant has, the more they are likely to use the credit card, which equivalents to higher earnings (through interest charges) on their part.