A high FICO credit score is extremely important for maintaining a comfortable quality of life, as this is the number that lenders look at to determine the creditworthiness of potential borrowers. Low FICO scores can be debilitating for those who wish to purchase homes or cars, or those that need to secure a loan for anything from medical care to home remodeling. Additionally, those with a low FICO score who do qualify for a loan often face an exceptionally high interest rate and strict loan terms. Learning how to improve your FICO credit score and increasing your credit score can make getting the things you want and need easier, and fortunately, there are several ways to do it.

Making bill payments on time is the best way to raise your credit score, as payments that are even a few days late are still late payments. Payment history is actually 35 of your FICO score, and it takes only a single late payment to bring that score down. If late payments have already been made, the key is to get accounts up to date and keep them there. The length of credit history makes up 15 of the score, meaning that consistent on-time payments will result in a higher credit rating over time. If on-time payments are a consistent issue, contacting a legitimate financial counselor can save a credit score.

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