If you would like to straighten up your credit, so you can begin thinking about such things as home ownership, qualifying for a loan on a new car, or just want to improve your credit score in general, then you want to follow the tips below:  

Consider the help of a debt relief company

If you have some debt that you are having a hard time paying and it is taking its toll on your credit score, then you should think about getting help from a debt relief company (such as debt counselling by Beth Maynard & Associates Inc). They can work with the credit card companies and other companies you owe to come up with a payment plan you can afford to pay off those debts.

 Join one of the credit monitoring services

Consider joining a credit monitoring service. These services will allow you to keep a close eye on your credit, as often as you wish. You will be able to be alerted of any changes right away, so you can deal with problems swiftly. Also, you are offered guidance and tips on improving your credit, as well as offered some toms to do this very thing.

Have the monitoring service linked to your email or cell phone, so you can get alerts any time there are changes to your credit account. This can help you to take care of issues right away and be given warning if there is someone out there messing with your identity.

When you first get signed up with a company, use its services to pull up your credit report from all three major reporting agencies and go through each report closely. Report anything false to the company and request for it to be removed. This will help you achieve a higher score.

Get a secured credit card

Get yourself a secured credit card. The first benefit to getting one of these cards is you won't run the risk of being turned down when you apply for it. This type of card is secured with your own money, but it will allow you to build good credit by reporting to the credit monitoring companies just as a traditional credit card company would You do want to make sure you keep the balance low and always pay more than the minimum due on time, because negative things will be reported as well.

By taking some extra steps to increase your credit score, you will be closer to achieving your goal of being approved for the auto loan or home mortgage loan you are applying for.