How Can I Tell If My Credit is Getting Good?

Reader Question: How can I tell if my credit is getting good?

You first need to establish a "baseline" to know if your score is moving upward or downward. Then you would need to periodically check your credit score -- maybe once every six to nine months or so. If you find that the number is going up, then your credit is improving. A higher number is better within this context.

I don't mean to make light of your question, but that's really all there is to it. Find out what your score is now, and then check it again in a few months. Of course, it helps if you're proactive about improving your credit. The number won't go up on its own, at least not significantly. You need to learn what influences the score, and then focus your energy on improving those key factors.

Here are some related articles you may want to review:

Good Credit Score in 2009
This article on our sister website explains how the world of credit and financing has changed over the last year or so, in response to the economic crisis we are dealing with. This is a question many people will have in the new economy -- what is considered to be a good credit score?

How to Raise Your Score Fast in 2009
This article is the perfect follow-up to the last one. It's another topic that will be very popular in 2009, especially among home buyers. In fact, I would go so far as calling this article "required reading" for all consumers.

How to Clear Up a Bad Credit History
If you are asking this question because you have some negative items on your credit report that are dragging your score down, then this article is worth reading as well. It explains the steps you can take to consistently improve your score over time, mainly by addressing the factors that have the biggest influence on your credit.

I hope this answers your question. If not, just type a follow-up question into the same box where you asked this one. Good luck, and happy holidays.

~Brandon