Many Kiwis consider loans as they wish to make home renovations or purchase a car. While applying for a loan can be straightforward, this may not always be true considering your credit score. Our credit score can affect our financial life and leave us paying more. Luckily, some resources can help you relieve the troubles that can come with a bad credit score.
How Credit Scores Work
A credit score summarises your credit history, including your payments, credit cards, mortgages and bills. A number describes this score. This number shows your creditworthiness and how responsible and trustworthy you are regarding finances. Therefore, your credit score explains whether lenders will loan money to you or not. If you have a higher credit score, it indicates that you are perceived as a suitable lender, as you can manage your finances.
Because credit scores can be a complex issue, the best credit repair organizations are there to help consumers. They can assist in explaining how credit scores are calculated and how consumers can get a good credit score.
How To Check Your Own Credit Score
Even though consumers can be confident that they have a good financial history, as they pay their bills on time and don’t have any mortgage. However, these consumers might still have a lower credit score. This can result in a higher interest rate, which can come as a surprise. Therefore, checking the credit score is essential, which consumers can do with help from credit repair companies.
Finding Help In The Right Places
When maintaining a good credit score, it can be challenging to get there in the first place. Therefore, credit repair companies can help consumers turn their bad credit scores around. When consumers seek help from them, one of the first things they do is identify potential errors on your credit report. While you can have a good financial history, any errors can affect your credit score. While it isn’t a guarantee, they can try to increase your credit score by removing these errors.
How To Prevent A Bad Credit Score
There is no shame in not knowing enough about their credit score. Because according to a study from 2016, 92% of Kiwis aren’t aware of their credit score. Therefore, it is a good idea to lay down a strategy to have a good score.
Repaying Loans
If you have loans, whether it is for the car or home improvements, it is essential to pay those on time. By setting up automatic payments, you avoid late payments. If you need help repaying your loans, contact your bank to see if you can find a solution together.
Reducing The Amounts Of Credit Cards
The more credit cards, the larger the signal of needing credit. Therefore, applying for credit shouldn’t be done over a short period, as it can be a negative signal for lenders.
Paying Bills On Time
Like repaying loans, paying bills on time is the way to avoid late fees, therefore avoiding a negative credit score. Bill reminders and automatic payments can be one way to dodge those late payments.
Why Maintaining A Good Credit Score Is Important
Only some people can pay for a car or home renovations in cash. Therefore, they might need a loan, which is why a positive credit score is essential. Not only can a negative credit score affect the interest rate, but lenders might not wish to lend the total amount. Therefore, having a good credit score equates to the best interest rates possible. A good credit score can help you save money. Furthermore, a good credit score can also help you save money on insurance if the insurance allows for credit-based scoring.
By having a good credit score, you are likely to pay your bills on time and repay loans timely. This also means a healthy financial history, which can benefit you and your potential partner. Not only will a good credit score result in a good reputation at the bank, but a good credit score can also result in reasonable offers like promotions on restaurants and flights.
The Best Credit Scores In New Zealand
According to an agency, there is a difference between where the best credit scores in the country are found. Before the pandemic, the best credit score among new credit applicants was in the Tasman region. Post-pandemic, the best were at the top of the South Island. On the other hand, the lowest was on the East Coast.
Some have stayed more constant, which can be explained by the job situation in the region. Wellington is a region with more job stability and well-paid jobs, and therefore, they also have strong credit scores. On the other hand, there is the East Coast with higher rates of poverty and unemployment. The higher rates of poverty could be associated with increased payment default rates.