Whether you want to qualify for a personal loan or a credit card, your credit score is a key part of the equation. This score can help you open a line of credit, get better terms on your loan, and even qualify for lower interest rates. If your credit score isn’t where you want it to be, here are a few tips for improving it.

How to Raise Your Credit Score

1. Pay Your Bills on Time

On-time payments are a major factor in determining credit scores. This isn’t limited to your credit card bill—it also includes utility bills, auto loans, and bills for any debts attributed to your name. If you have a hard time staying on top of the due dates, take advantage of auto-payment features offered through your bank or lender. That way, you’ll be able to pay your bills without having to add another item to your to-do list, and you’ll have an easier time getting approved for a personal loan when you apply.

2. Check Your Credit Report

You can request a free credit report once every year from the three credit bureaus. You should use this opportunity to catch any mistakes on your report. Request reports from TransUnion®, Experian®, and Equifax®, and if you notice errors—like missing payments or lines of credit that you don’t remember opening—dispute them directly with the credit reporting agency.

3. Don’t Close Credit Cards

It might seem counterintuitive, but closing credit cards lowers your overall credit utilization ratio. This is a calculation based on the value of the credit card balance, divided by the total credit limit. As long as you aren’t accruing any annual fees, you can keep credit cards open without a balance in the account.

Get a personal loan to help get money when you need it from Coastal Finance Company in Savannah, GA. Offering highly flexible terms, this company delivers exceptional customer service, with quick approval for personal loans. To get started, call (912) 303-9979 today or visit them online to learn more about the application process.