How I Raised My Credit Score Over 100 points - Less Debt, More Wine (2024)

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My debt repayment journey started by checking my credit score. I quickly realized how bad my credit was and knew I had to improve it. I went from having a score of 640 to 749 in less than a year. It now nears 800.

There are a combination of things that resulted in raising my credit score. In case you weren’t aware, your credit score is based on six things.

How Your Credit Score is Calculated

  1. Credit Card Utilization
  2. Payment History
  3. Derogatory Remarks
  4. Age of Credit History
  5. Total Accounts
  6. Credit Inquiries (Hard Credit Inquiries)

The first three have a high impact on your credit score and the last three have a medium to low impact on your credit score.

Credit Card Utilization

Ideally, you want your credit card utilization to be 30% or less. At the beginning of 2014 my Credit Card Utilization was at 66% (I know, I know, so bad). Towards the middle of the year, I started getting really serious about paying off my credit cards and started making big payments.

While I was busy making big payments, my credit card companies decided to increase my credit line. The combination of both, lowering my overall debt and increasing my credit line resulted in a big change to my credit card utilization rate which now stands at less than 10%.

A lot of folks will recommend calling and asking the credit card company’s to increase your credit line or decrease your interest rate, that is perfectly fine.

However, I didn’t have to do either, as I started making bigger payments they automatically raised my credit line. So if you are afraid of calling your credit card companies, you may not have to.

Also, keep in mind that a request for a credit limit increase will likely result in a hard check on your credit.

Payment History

There was a point in my life when I had to work two jobs and used credit cards just to make ends meet. Even then I always managed to cobble together the minimum payment on time.

Having a perfect Payment History makes a big difference. If you don’t have a perfect payment history, start having one one. Mathematically speaking the more on time payments you have the less impact each late one has.

Derogatory Remarks

Again this was something that I didn’t have a problem with. I was fortunate that even though I had high balances on my credit card I had kept my payment history perfect and derogatory remarks clean.

Age of Credit History

While I have a lengthy credit history, thanks to my parents co-signing a credit card when I was in high school (for emergency’s only) my overall average is much lower.

This is in part thanks to a car loan I took out two years ago. Unfortunately, this is something that improves with time, so I have to be patient for this part of my score to improve.

Credit Inquiries

Here was another misstep of mine. The more hard credit line inquiries you have the lower you score on this part. However, it overall has a low impact on your credit score.

I currently have 5, due to a car loan and moving in the last two years. Moving involved various credit checks.

You should know that just pulling your credit score using your credit card company or tools like Credit Karma are not considered a hard credit check and will not count against you.

Paying Off my Credit Cards Made the Biggest Difference

So while a history of a few good habits (making payments on time and never defaulting) helped. The biggest impact on my credit score was paying down my credit cards.

At the beginning of the year I owed over $8,000 and now I’m nearly credit card debt free. I still have a bit left to pay off, but the changes in my credit score are a nice motivator to keep going.

Learn more on How Qoins Can Help You Pay Off Debt Faster

Wrapping it Up with a Bow on Top

If you want to raise your credit score quickly, the best thing you can do is to work on paying down your debt and decreasing your overall credit utilization. The second best thing you can do is to make sure you make all of your payments on time.

How about you, have you ever struggled with a low credit score? What did you do about it?

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How I Raised My Credit Score Over 100 points - Less Debt, More Wine (2024)

FAQs

How do I raise my credit score by 100 points? ›

Here are 10 ways to increase your credit score by 100 points - most often this can be done within 45 days.
  1. Check your credit report. ...
  2. Pay your bills on time. ...
  3. Pay off any collections. ...
  4. Get caught up on past-due bills. ...
  5. Keep balances low on your credit cards. ...
  6. Pay off debt rather than continually transferring it.

What is the fastest way to raise your credit score? ›

4 tips to boost your credit score fast
  1. Pay down your revolving credit balances. If you have the funds to pay more than your minimum payment each month, you should do so. ...
  2. Increase your credit limit. ...
  3. Check your credit report for errors. ...
  4. Ask to have negative entries that are paid off removed from your credit report.

Can my credit score go up 200 points in a month? ›

While you can improve your credit score by 200 points in 30 days, it is also essential to remember that the improvement is based on your current credit status and mix. Some might experience quicker improvements, while others may need more time based on their unique credit histories and financial situations.

How to get 40 points on credit score? ›

Here are six ways to quickly raise your credit score by 40 points:
  1. Check for errors on your credit report. ...
  2. Remove a late payment. ...
  3. Reduce your credit card debt. ...
  4. Become an authorized user on someone else's account. ...
  5. Pay twice a month. ...
  6. Build credit with a credit card.
Feb 26, 2024

How can I raise my credit score 100 points overnight? ›

  1. No, it is not possible to raise your credit score overnight. ...
  2. Improving your credit score typically requires responsible financial behavior over an extended period. ...
  3. Pay Your Bills on Time: Consistently make on-time payments for all of your credit accounts, including credit cards, loans, and utilities.
Oct 25, 2023

How can I raise my credit score by 100 points in 30 days? ›

For most people, increasing a credit score by 100 points in a month isn't going to happen. But if you pay your bills on time, eliminate your consumer debt, don't run large balances on your cards and maintain a mix of both consumer and secured borrowing, an increase in your credit could happen within months.

What increases credit score most? ›

One of the best things you can do to improve your credit score is to pay your debts on time and in full whenever possible. Payment history makes up a significant chunk of your credit score, so it's important to avoid late payments.

What raises your credit score more? ›

Make all payments on time and avoid applying for new credit. Lower your utilization ratio by paying down balances, increasing credit limits, or consolidating your debt. Become an authorized user on an account with a long history of responsible use.

How can I drastically raise my credit score? ›

6 easy tips to help raise your credit score
  1. Make your payments on time. ...
  2. Set up autopay or calendar reminders. ...
  3. Don't open too many accounts at once. ...
  4. Get credit for paying monthly utility and cell phone bills on time. ...
  5. Request a credit report and dispute any credit report errors. ...
  6. Pay attention to your credit utilization rate.

How fast does credit score go up after paying off debt? ›

How long after paying off debt will my credit scores change? The three nationwide CRAs generally receive new information from your creditors and lenders every 30 to 45 days. If you've recently paid off a debt, it may take more than a month to see any changes in your credit scores.

Is 650 a good credit score? ›

As someone with a 650 credit score, you are firmly in the “fair” territory of credit. You can usually qualify for financial products like a mortgage or car loan, but you will likely pay higher interest rates than someone with a better credit score. The "good" credit range starts at 690.

What is the most your credit score can go up in one month? ›

There is no set maximum amount that your credit score can increase by in one month. It all depends on your unique situation and the specific actions you're taking to improve your credit.

How fast can I add 100 points to my credit score? ›

In fact, some consumers may even see their credit scores rise as much as 100 points in 30 days. Steps you can take to raise your credit score quickly include: Lower your credit utilization rate. Ask for late payment forgiveness.

Should I pay off my credit card in full or leave a small balance? ›

It's a good idea to pay off your credit card balance in full whenever you're able. Carrying a monthly credit card balance can cost you in interest and increase your credit utilization rate, which is one factor used to calculate your credit scores.

Does paying off a car raise credit score? ›

Does paying off a car loan help credit? This can vary from person to person. In the short term, paying off a debt and closing credit accounts can result in a drop in credit scores. But over time, it can improve a person's DTI ratio, which lenders may look at when considering your credit application.

How quickly can I raise my credit score to 100 points? ›

In fact, some consumers may even see their credit scores rise as much as 100 points in 30 days. Steps you can take to raise your credit score quickly include: Lower your credit utilization rate. Ask for late payment forgiveness.

How long does it take to raise credit score 100 points? ›

Creditors typically report updated information monthly, so it is possible to improve your score by 100 points in 30 days. It will likely take several months for your score to realize its full potential, though. You can use WalletHub's free credit score simulator to learn how different actions can affect your credit.

What boosts credit scores the most? ›

Factors that contribute to a higher credit score include a history of on-time payments, low balances on your credit cards, a mix of different credit card and loan accounts, older credit accounts, and minimal inquiries for new credit.

How long does it take to build credit from 500 to 700? ›

The time it takes to raise your credit score from 500 to 700 can vary widely depending on your individual financial situation. On average, it may take anywhere from 12 to 24 months of responsible credit management, including timely payments and reducing debt, to see a significant improvement in your credit score.

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