Understanding Credit
Credit is offered by a lender, also called a creditor, to a borrower or a debtor.
Creditworthiness is the degree of financial trustworthiness demonstrated by a borrower, based on how they have historically managed their monetary responsibilities.
A credit report provides a snapshot of a borrower’s creditworthiness and helps lenders calculate the amount of risk they will assume when providing a borrower access to borrowed funds (i.e. a line of credit).
Benefits of Good Credit
Being creditworthy may provide you with easier access to credit (borrowed monies). You may also benefit from:
- The ability to enjoy a product you could not otherwise afford if you had to pay for it upfront.
- The convenience and safety of not having to carry large amounts of cash.
- The peace-of-mind that comes from having emergency funds for unexpected expenses.
- Simplified recordkeeping with possibly only one monthly bill.
- Optimal interest rates, terms, and a reduction in the costs associated with loans, credit cards, insurance, and other financial resources.
- Some credit cards offer travel incentives such as free airline miles, free hotels, or free baggage. Some of these incentives can help cut down on residency interview expenses.
The Impact of Poor Credit
If a lender determines your creditworthiness to be low, this may result in several negative consequences. Some of these may include:
- Failing to qualify for the purchase of a home, car, or another "big-ticket" item.
- Paying more for a loan because of being charged higher interest rates and fees.
- Difficulty renting an apartment or entering other contractual arrangements (i.e. obtaining insurance).
- Limited opportunities to access different types of financial resources such as loans, credit cards, insurance, etc.
Tips to Managing Credit Wisely
Maintaining your creditworthiness is not rocket science; however, being familiar with the following tips can be helpful:
- Pay your bills on time...pay your bills on time...pay your bills on time!
- Pay your bills in full every month, or if that's not possible, pay more than the minimum payment, and when possible, apply extra payments toward the highest interest rate debt.
- Limit the amount of debt on your lines of credit.
- Don't close all of your existing accounts or lines of credit. The length of credit history has an impact on your credit score.
- Limit the number of times that you apply for credit. Credit inquiries impact your credit score.
- Check your credit report for errors, dispute any inaccuracies with the credit bureau, and protect yourself against identity theft.You can access your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com.
