Credit Score Hacks: How to Boost Your Score in 90 Days

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Credit Score Hacks: How to Boost Your Score in 90 Days


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Your credit score is a key factor that affects your financial life, from securing a mortgage to renting an apartment, and even qualifying for the best interest rates on loans and credit cards. But if your credit score isn’t where you want it to be, don’t worry—there are strategies you can use to boost it in as little as 90 days. Here’s a step-by-step guide on actionable credit score hacks that can help you see meaningful improvement within three months.

1. Check Your Credit Report for Errors

Why It Matters:
Errors on your credit report can have a major impact on your score. According to the Federal Trade Commission, roughly one in five people have an error on at least one of their credit reports. Catching these mistakes and fixing them could give your score an immediate boost.

How to Do It:

  • Request a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com.
  • Look for errors like incorrect account balances, duplicate debts, or late payments that were actually made on time.
  • Dispute any inaccuracies with the credit bureau. They’re legally required to investigate and respond within 30 days, which could help your score within your 90-day goal.

2. Pay Down Your Credit Card Balances

Why It Matters:
One of the biggest factors affecting your credit score is your credit utilization ratio, or the percentage of available credit that you’re using. A lower credit utilization ratio generally leads to a higher credit score.

How to Do It:

  • Try to pay down your balances to below 30% of your total available credit on each card. Ideally, aim for 10% or lower if possible.
  • If you’re not able to pay off the balance in full, consider paying off cards with the highest utilization first.
  • Make additional payments throughout the month if possible, as this reduces your reported balance at any given time.

3. Request a Credit Limit Increase

Why It Matters:
Increasing your available credit can lower your credit utilization ratio and, in turn, improve your score. Be cautious, though—this strategy works best if you can trust yourself not to spend the extra credit.

How to Do It:

  • Contact your credit card issuer and ask if you qualify for a credit limit increase. This may be easier if you have a history of on-time payments and a consistent income.
  • Some credit card companies allow you to request an increase directly from your online account or mobile app.
  • Keep in mind that in some cases, the issuer may conduct a hard inquiry, which could temporarily affect your score.

4. Become an Authorized User on a Trusted Account

Why It Matters:
If a family member or close friend has a long-standing credit card with a good payment history, being added as an authorized user can help build positive credit history quickly.

How to Do It:

  • Ask someone you trust (and who trusts you) if they’d be willing to add you as an authorized user on their credit card account.
  • Make sure the card issuer reports authorized users to the credit bureaus. If they do, the account’s history, utilization, and credit limit will be reflected in your credit report.
  • You don’t have to use the card to benefit from this; just being added to the account can improve your score.

5. Set Up Payment Reminders or Automatic Payments

Why It Matters:
Payment history makes up about 35% of your credit score. Missing even one payment can have a significant negative impact. Staying on top of payments is crucial, especially if you’re aiming to boost your score in a short time.

How to Do It:

  • Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum balance on your credit cards and loans.
  • Use your bank’s online system to set reminders a few days before payments are due if you prefer paying manually.
  • Consistently paying on time will build your credit history, boosting your score over the 90-day period and beyond.

6. Pay Off Smaller Debts to Reduce the Number of Open Accounts

Why It Matters:
Clearing up smaller debts, especially revolving debts like credit cards, can help reduce the number of open accounts with balances. A “cleaner” credit profile can make you look more creditworthy.

How to Do It:

  • Target smaller balances on multiple cards or loans first, especially if they’re close to their limits.
  • By closing out smaller balances, you not only simplify your credit picture, but you also reduce your overall credit utilization.

7. Use a Credit-Building Loan or Secured Credit Card

Why It Matters:
If your credit history is limited or includes missed payments, using a credit-builder loan or a secured credit card responsibly can help rebuild your score.

How to Do It:

  • Consider a credit-building loan from a credit union or online lender. You’ll make small payments over a fixed period, and those payments will be reported to the credit bureaus.
  • For secured credit cards, you deposit an amount that becomes your credit limit. Use the card regularly for small purchases and pay the balance in full each month to build positive payment history.

8. Limit Hard Inquiries During the 90-Day Period

Why It Matters:
Hard inquiries, which occur when lenders check your credit for a new application, can lower your score temporarily. While this effect is usually small, limiting inquiries can keep your score stable.

How to Do It:

  • Hold off on applying for new credit cards, loans, or other financing until after the 90-day period.
  • Focus on improving the credit you already have instead, which will naturally make you more attractive to lenders over time.

Final Thoughts

Improving your credit score in 90 days is possible with a strategic approach. By focusing on paying down balances, correcting any errors, and managing credit responsibly, you can see an improvement within three months. Just remember that building and maintaining good credit is an ongoing process. These strategies will not only help you reach your short-term goal but also set you up for long-term financial health.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to see a change in my credit score?

  • Typically, you may start to see changes in your credit score within 30 to 60 days after taking steps like paying down debt or correcting errors on your credit report. However, significant improvements can take up to three months, depending on your financial actions.

2. What’s the fastest way to improve my credit score?

  • Paying down high credit card balances and disputing errors on your credit report are two of the quickest ways to see a score increase. Becoming an authorized user on a well-managed credit card account can also help relatively quickly.

3. Will checking my own credit report hurt my score?

  • No, checking your own credit report does not impact your score. This is known as a "soft inquiry," and it has no effect. Only "hard inquiries," from applying for credit, can impact your score.

4. What is a “good” credit score?

  • A good credit score typically ranges between 670 and 739 on the FICO scale. Scores above 740 are considered very good to excellent, while scores below 670 may be fair or poor, depending on the exact number.

5. How does credit utilization affect my score?

  • Credit utilization is the percentage of available credit you’re using. Using less than 30% of your available credit is generally best, and keeping it under 10% can help boost your score even more.

6. Can paying off all my debt immediately improve my score?

  • Paying off debt, especially revolving debt like credit card balances, can improve your credit score, especially if it lowers your credit utilization ratio. However, paying off installment loans (e.g., car loans) may not have as large an impact.

7. Will becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card help me?

  • Yes, if the primary cardholder has a good credit history. When added as an authorized user, the account’s positive payment history and credit limit can help boost your score if the issuer reports it to credit bureaus.

8. How many credit cards should I have to maintain a good credit score?

  • There’s no “ideal” number of credit cards, but managing multiple accounts responsibly can improve your credit score. Aim to keep balances low and make payments on time across all accounts.

9. Does closing old credit cards improve my credit score?

  • Generally, no. Closing old accounts can actually hurt your score by reducing your overall available credit, which increases your credit utilization. Keeping old accounts open can help maintain a longer credit history.

10. How do late payments impact my credit score?

  • Late payments can significantly impact your score, especially if they’re more than 30 days late. They can remain on your credit report for up to seven years, so it’s essential to make timely payments or set up automatic payments to avoid this.

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