Plastk Blog: Credit Tips & More

Credit Tip Tuesday #101-How To Build A Lender-Friendly Credit Profile?

Written by Plastk #CTT | Dec 20, 2022 2:00:00 PM

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Applying for loans and pursuing your dreams is not new.

However, it does feel strange and somewhat wrong for sure when you are denied a loan you had applied for to fulfill those goals.

Ever wondered why it happens in the first place? Well, there could be endless reasons but surely the direct link goes to your credit profile and how lenders see it.

Therefore, in order to improve your credit score and avail all the related perks, it’s evident to keep your credit profile healthy and in line with the credit lenders!

Want to know the best possible way to do it? Here’s the right guide for you:

The First Step? Know Your Credit Type!

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Remember when your preschool teacher made you learn everything related to the alphabets and then letters before allowing you to read your favorite storybook?

Or, how your mother introduced you to simpler foods first before jumping into a sea of different taste groups.

The same is going to be the case here: the financial experts advise you to know your credit type before you work on building a lender-friendly credit profile.

The main reason behind this is that many people are not even aware of the credit category they fall into. And this makes it pretty complicated to deal with later on.

So, mainly, there are three different credit types, namely:

  • Revolving Credit
  • Installment Credit
  • Service Credit

There’s a reason why these are categorized separately. That is,

  • A revolving credit is like a lifelong journey with your finances where you get to grow your financial health step-by-step. Like, you start with slow and make your way up as you gradually start to understand how credit works.
  • An installment credit is just like a chocolate box you borrowed from your friend but have to return it in easy installments. For instance, you get a huge sum from your student, auto, and rental loans but sign a document or agree to terms that say to pay back the money in said time.
  • A service credit is the name for credit you deal with for the services you have been availing. For example, the monthly deductions for your Netflix subscription or a newsletter you subscribed to. It pretty much includes all entertainment subscriptions, billing, etc.

There’s no doubt that when it comes to documentation of your financial matters, you will come across many points related to your credit but overall these three types rule most of our financing world.

Why Is A Lender-Friendly Credit Profile A Dealmaker?

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Yes, credit health matters but why is it important to fix it for the lenders?

Coming onto the point, if you have been wondering why lender-friendly credit is such a big deal, after all, we have the answer for you.

A lender-friendly credit profile is a dealmaker because:

  • You appear financially mature
  • You can secure better loan terms
  • You can become debt-free faster
  • You get to open the door to enjoy other perks of life

And the list goes on. Here’s what you should avoid to ensure your credit profile isn’t compromised:

Build Your Lender-Friendly Credit Profile – 5 Tips

Now that you are aware of the basics related to credit score and everything in between, it’s time to get to the main work.

The tips listed below will help you with improving credit on a steady and sustainable basis.

By sustainable, we mean that you would build a financial future that lasts long.

1.   Have A Budget, No Matter What!

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This is the most important step to achieving the financial stability of your dreams.

The reason behind this is that:

  • A budget corrects your financial habits;
  • Keeps you from extravagant spending;
  • Doesn’t let you ignore your pending debt;
  • Allows you to save for the future.

And these things alone are your superpowers when it comes to correcting your credit profile and making it lender-friendly.

2.   Consider A Secured Credit Card Your Best Friend!

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While there’s a sea of different opinions on whether one should have a credit card or not, it’s safe to say that a secured credit card will never hurt your finances.

Instead, it might put you in the right track where you can actually work to improve your credit for the best. How? You may ask.

Well, the reasons are listed below:

  • You get to build a credit history on your terms,
  • You get a credit limit according to your financial health,
  • It turns bad credit into a good one, for sure,
  • It offers low-interest rates, just what you want!

And when a lender is looking forward to providing you with money, he will definitely dig deep into matters like how responsibly you paid, how well your credit history is, and so on.

3.   Avoid Red Flags!

Red flags? Are there any red flags when it comes to matters related to finances?

Well, yes. They pretty much exist everywhere you go.

Getting back to the point, make sure that you are not delaying your payments.

Instead,

  • You’re paying them twice a month
  • You’re avoiding BNPL-type options
  • You’re ditching hard inquiries
  • You’re tracking your Equifax credit score

All these red flags, if not taken care of, can put you at risk of losing the trustworthiness of being a low-risk borrower!

4.   Work On Increasing Your Cash Flow Capacity!

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You might not find it directly related to your credit profile improvement, but it does contribute to how well your financial outlook is.

Let us explain it: your proper cash flow plays a significant role in your credit-related matters.

This is because:

  • Bills are paid on time
  • Debt payment is going smoothly
  • You are now a low-risk borrower
  • You rely less on credit balance

So, how do you think that a side hustle wouldn’t be a good option for a better future?

In fact, it’s the best thing you can do currently to make sure your financial future is promising.

5.   Pay Off Debt On A Priority Basis!

Let’s get it straight; we all have a lot more on our plates than one can imagine. By this, we simply mean that you have a ton of places to spend your money on other than just paying back debt payments.

  • You need to set aside money for your savings account,
  • You need money for your 6-month worth emergency fund,
  • You need funds for your retirement account,
  • And, then there is a sudden expense you didn’t plan for but have to cover.

Argh, there’s so much more that isn’t mentioned here yet your mind is giving you hints about them. Right? This means that you would often find yourself going off track.

You are not alone! However, checking off loan is more important because:

  • It keeps you from default status!
  • It ensures you don’t fall behind on your financial goals!
  • It guarantees you get to enjoy your retirement!

 

In fact, Elizabeth Gravier the #1 rule to prioritize debt payments is to consider those bills that can severely impact the financial wellbeing of you and your family in near future.

Isn’t the goal to build a lender-friendly credit profile to avoid exactly that? Heck, yes!

Conclusion

You never know what the future has in store for you.

Or, to be precise, when you will need a loan or two to deal with a sudden financial emergency.

Therefore, it is very important to keep up with your credit profile so that you also get to enjoy the financial freedom of your dreams!