Reading Time: 8 minutes

THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

Read In Just 8 Minutes: 181-Point Credit Score Increase: More Details Inside! Find Out More In Our Latest Article!

How To Maximize Your Credit Scores: Benefit From Triple Checking Your Reports

Before my credit started improving and my credit score increased, I had a love-hate relationship with credit and credit reports, and my credit scores showed it. 

“I used to believe all credit reports and scores were identical.” Suppose you’re like me and don’t understand your credit score(s) or how they work with your credit report(s). 

You could lose a lot of money if you don’t triple-check your credit reports from all three credit reporting agencies or improve your credit scores for better deals.

I didn’t realize how significant those three digits could be.

My scores were so low and always fluctuated, going from bad to good to bad to bad. 

Often not realizing why. Let’s say the why was me and not the credit reporting companies. 

If you’re reading this, you probably care more about your credit scores than I did.

With some credit scoring systems, your score can range from Poor-to-Fair-to-Good-to-Very Good-to-Excellent, with corresponding numbers from (300-900) assigned to each range.

My goal was to have better than average credit and excellent credit score(s), which would lead from having poor – to – good – to – very – good to excellent credit or better. 

Before we get to how my credit score increased by 181 points, I want you to know it can be done. 

Once my credit improved, many other great benefits were available. I was able to start:

• Saving money.
• I received better interest rates.
• Rewards, offers, and perks also made it worthwhile. 

Here’s the secret: You could beat this record over time by changing a few habits, like regularly reviewing your reports, learning to make improvements to your credit and setting winning goals with tangible results.

Bonus: The key is never to have adverse credit. If your credit isn’t living up to your standards, if you take positive steps now to make improvements, your credit can seem to change or improve overnight.

Give it a try! Start working on making your finances better. Work on improving your credit. It easier than you think and it does make a difference.

Want To Master The Art Of Improving Your Credit?

Start with some things you can do with little effort.

• If you haven’t already done so, order your credit reports with credit scores.
• Look at your current debt and credit situation.
• Use a simple budget to track and pay down debt.
• Start evaluating, auditing, and reviewing your credit reports. 

Remember, regardless of your credit status, it can be improved over time with effort. 

Here are three of the many keys to remember.

• Use only bonafide methods tailored to your needs to improve your credit, they’re most effective.
• Any positive improvements you make to your credit are valuable and can have long-lasting results.
• The best place to start is by ordering and reviewing your reports and scores.

Now you know three essentials to stay motivated. Here’s why you should review your credit reports.

The Importance of Regularly Reviewing Your Credit Reports 

• It’s the best place to view your credit scores and start making improvements.
• Reviewing your credit reports may be easier than asking someone you don’t know for a copy of your credit report(s). 
• Plus, if you are applying for a loan or credit, they get to see your credit report(s) and scores; if your credit reports and scores are a little messy, you may not get to see them.
• To see the difference in all your credit reports and scores.
• Your credit reports can help with managing your debt and personal finances.
• Evaluating, auditing, and reviewing your credit report(s) can help you identify how you currently use credit and how to improve your credit circumstance or situation. 
• This will help you understand what’s on your credit reports or who is looking at or inquiring about your credit and credit history.
• It helps you understand your credit usage and history and track balances.
• Help you identify and dispute erroneous, inaccurate, or incorrect personal information. 
• Review and compare credit reporting data that may be unknown or you may need to be made aware of. 
• In the long term, it may help you improve your credit score and surpass our short-lived 181-point record.

Suppose you haven’t viewed your credit reports in a while. 

You can get your free credit reports each year at Annual Credit Report.com. 

You should order your credit reports for many reasons — 11+ Proven Steps Millennials Can Master To Build Excellent Credit.

Some of the biggest reasons for looking at your credit reports!

• Multiple companies can access your credit information.
• You could be a victim of ID theft or a recent data breach, and your personal identifying information could be found on the dark web.
• It is essential to compare the credit and scoring information on your credit reports from all bureaus.
• When ordering all your credit reports, be sure to order them with credit scores. 

After ordering your credit reports, keep track of your progress and note any positive or negative information or changes you can easily make.

Which credit scores should you use? 

There are many choices of credit reporting providers and service companies. The most popular consumer reports you may have heard of are Equifax, Experian, FICO, and TransUnion.

We use FICO scores. Here’s why!

FICO® Score is used by 90% of top U.S. lenders in 90% of lending decisions.

Stay organized with your credit report review and personal & financial checklist. 

In addition to knowing and using the best scores and checking for unknown activity.

You can use a simple credit report review checklist to help keep track of important details while you review your credit report(s). 

Use your credit report review and a personal and financial checklist to update, maintain a record of your progress, and track negative and positive information. 

Be sure to note any changes since you last reviewed your report(s).

Mastering Good Credit Habits: Say Goodbye to Bad Credit.

There are many examples of bad credit habits! 

Here’s one example: How one lousy credit habit affected a car-buying experience.

When my credit score was poor, it was on the border of poor and bad credit. 

I was looking to purchase a car, but my lousy credit habits from years earlier started showing up on my credit reports and because of my bad credit habits.

I could only buy at “You Get What You Pay For” places, dealers, and lots with subprime rates.

At one dealership, I used my best negotiating skills only to get their best and worst deal.

• Best deal ever for the dealership.
• The worst deal for me, not to exaggerate, the car started falling apart right off the car lot, e.g., knobs, buttons, windows, things just stopped working. Even the A.C. was suspect… but it had an engine.
• I had to pay extra for the wheels; they added tires to the car as a bonus.
• My “Buy Here, Pay Here” interest rate was well over 29%, which meant high payments. 
• It wasn’t the best deal (But with limited options, due to my past lousy credit decisions), it was costly, and I needed the transportation. 

Bad credit habits can affect many other areas of your financial & credit life as well. 

Bad credit habits can be around forever, and you probably know someone who can share a few stories of their own.

• In this example, making late payments was a bad credit habit that needed changing. 
• Your payment history is the most significant factor that can weigh heavily on your adverse credit.
• Remember, once it’s past due, it’s reported as late (30, 60, or 90 days) on your credit reports. 
• What can be affected? 
• Higher rates, added penalties, and fees.
• Adverse credit reporting.
• Lower credit scores. 
• Account(s) sent to collections affect your credit reports and scores. 
• This can play a big part in your credit decisions… like buying a car.

Improve Your Credit Score with These 5 Key Areas. 

Don’t wait any longer to start your journey towards better credit. Your credit reports demand your attention. Focusing on these critical aspects can help you manage your credit and achieve a better financial future.

• Remember, bad credit habits and decisions affect more than just credit. 
• Use a long-term financial plan, spending plan, credit report review checklist, and updated credit goals to improve your credit.
• Improving your credit can help you save hundreds to thousands of dollars in interest over time.
• Improve your Debt To Income.
• Use your credit to increase your savings and emergency reserves or funds. It’s money that’s available when needed most.

Once I understood which lousy credit habits were holding me back. 

I started focusing on 5 Highly Successful Credit Habits that would help now and in the long term. 

Now, I only focus on the easy, good credit habits that continue to help me improve my credit and more. Credit Score Makeover: 21 Strategies to Turn Around Dropping Credit Scores. 

Improving your credit doesn’t have to be tricky! The place to start is to order your credit reports. 

Improving my credit score: One + point was all I needed to move it in the right direction.

Improving a credit score by 181 points may be no big deal to you. But it was a big deal.

Over time, I was able to save money! Here’s how!

• Paying lower interest rates (Saving money).
• Paying lower fees or many fees were eliminated (Saving money).
• Pay lower down payments or no down payments (Saving money). 
• Pay no secured deposits (Saving money).
• I improved my credit, which helped tremendously (Saving money).
• I received new offers for credit line increases (Saving money). 

If you could start over and choose one way to save money from the list, which would you choose?

Because I want to ensure you’re getting the most out of this article, I am curious to know:

“Would you turn down a credit line increase?” Share your email answer below. Please leave us a short yes or no reply at [email protected]

Once my credit improved, I received some of the best rewards, perks, and offers. The Ultimate Guide to Using Your Credit Card’s Exclusive Benefits –  Save Money with Companion Fares, Lounge Benefits, and More.

Conclusion.

Changing my credit habits wasn’t difficult once I had an idea of the end goal: the Debt, Savings, and Credit Challenge.

Which of the following strategies are you using today? Some of you may have used them before, but here’s a helpful reminder of a few easy steps you could take now. 

Pay off your debt.

Order your credit reports. 

Monitor your bad credit habits.

Evaluate, audit, and review your credit reports.

Save a little to cover unknown emergencies, and fund your future.

Make it your long-term goal to improve your finances and credit and increase your score. Conquering Debt: How I Crushed $42,000 in 6 Months (and You Can Too!).

Maybe you can beat 181 points, and that’s something to be proud of.

Disclaimer: Millennial Credit Advisers is not a licensed credit service provider or financial advisor. We don’t offer credit repair, debt management, or legal services. Educate yourself on saving, reducing debt, and managing credit for economic improvement. Understand credit reports, scores, and financial products. Consult a financial advisor for personalized advice. Track your progress for a better credit journey.

Written content – “Please view our full AI Use Disclosure.”