Getting and Keeping your Credit in Good Standing

It is more important now than ever before that we establish and maintain a good, if not excellent, credit profile.  Below are steps you should consider taking in order to establish or improve your credit history and your credit rating (FICO Score):

• Pay your bills on time!  If you have missed making scheduled payments on your debts, get current and stay current.
• Keep "revolving" credit balances low (balances on these accounts should not represent more than 30% of the "total available credit" on each account).
• Open new accounts responsibly.  DON'T OPEN NEW CARDS that you don't need just to increase your available credit.
• Pay off debts rather than moving them around.
• DON'T CLOSE UNUSED CREDIT CARDS as a short-term strategy to raise your FICO score.
• DO your credit shopping within a 45 Day period.
• PAY OFF ACCOUNT BALANCES.  This means you should not "charge" more than you will be able to pay when your bill becomes due (usually within 26-30 days after purchases have been made).
• NEVER allow anyone else to use your Social Security number to obtain credit or establish residency (don't be a co-signer).
• Keep away from Credit Repair Agencies. 
• Check your FICO score.  Checking your own FICO score cannot and will not negatively impact your credit score no matter how many times you check it.