| Building a good credit history is easier than most | | | | One of the major disadvantages of making late |
| people think. If you plan to purchase major items | | | | payments on a credit card is that your credit |
| like a house or a new car, or start a small | | | | score will decrease. |
| business, it is vital for you to have a good credit | | | | This will be reflected on your credit history, and |
| history. | | | | once there is a late payment reflected on your |
| Here are some tips to maintain a good credit | | | | record, you will be offered a higher interest rate |
| score and have a good history: | | | | when buying a new car. |
| 1. Make a list of the in's and out's of your | | | | Once you are offered a high interest rate, do not |
| expenses. This is especially true when going on a | | | | signanything yet. There is such a thing as a 'prime |
| major shopping spree. | | | | lending 'rate'. |
| After making a big dent on your credit card, take | | | | This is the ideal maximum rate that you should be |
| a look at your annual credit report and check for | | | | offered when making a loan or credit, or making |
| any discrepancy. | | | | major purchases using your credit card. Tell the |
| 2. Pay all your monthly bills promptly. It is a good | | | | car salesman about the interest rate that you |
| thing to apply for an automatic bill payment for | | | | would like to have based on the prime rate. |
| the bills that you really need to pay, as well as | | | | But still, if your credit rating is a lot lower than |
| your monthly credit card payments. | | | | what they require, you will be offered a higher |
| 3. Do not overcharge your credit cards. You | | | | rate. |
| credit score might lower if you go over the limit | | | | If you cannot get a good deal from one car |
| on your account. When buying a car or if you car | | | | salesman, do not be afraid to look for another. |
| needs an overhaul or a major repair, it would help | | | | You wouldn't want to get anything less than your |
| a lot if you have a good credit history. | | | | money's worth, so the hunt will be worth it. |
| First, the better your credit score is, the lower | | | | There are a lot of options available when buying a |
| interest rates you can get when buying a new | | | | car. You can either get a new car or a previously |
| vehicle. | | | | owned vehicle. |
| Second, for major car repairs, some shop owners | | | | For a new car, check if the final offer is |
| require you to have a non-debit credit card, and | | | | anywhere near the suggested retail price for the |
| of course, a good credit rating. | | | | car you are getting. |
| However, there are cases wherein you need to | | | | For a used car, decide first on the make and |
| accept aless-than-ideal deal when buying a card if | | | | model of the car that you will get and check out |
| your creditscore is low, or if your credit history is | | | | the ongoing rates online. |
| a mess. | | | | With these tips in mind, you can be on your way |
| 'Buying your Dream Car' | | | | to driving that dream car home in spite of a bad |
| Here's how you can get a car loan in spite of bad | | | | credit history. |
| credit: | | | | |