Got the credit score today -NOt good

**christina33** · 06-01-2006, 01:55 PM

This is the first time I have had the courage to check the credit report since
I enrolled in CCCS. Well used Experian and the credit report looked pretty good
the only two CC that reported me late in the last 30 days was MBNA and JCrew.
Citibank hasn't. Interestingly, none noted that I am enrolled in CCCS.
SO I decided to check the score with was 576. I am trying hard not to remain upset since I knew it would take a hit. But I was still hoping.

The good news is I am building my savings because yesterday was the
first payday in a long time that I paid all my bills. The frugal life is starting to pay off.

Anger aside ..how can I go about building this score back faster?
I have a secured card and make payments on time. THis is my only card right now.

I am stressed about summer electricity. I already have to start using the
AC because this area of the SOuth is very humid. ANy advice

**ewokgirl** · 06-01-2006, 03:22 PM

As far as the electricity is concerned, use fans as much as possible. I live in TX, so we've had the AC on for over a month now.

I totally understand about those summer electric bills. Our house has ceiling fans in every room except the bathrooms and dining room. Those fans enable us to keep the AC at a high temp (I usually set it at 79 or 80). Our AC has a hard time reaching the master bath (vent in there is the farthest one from the unit), plus there is a very large window in there that gets a lot of afternoon sun. If it gets too unbearable in there, I'll drag a portable fan in there. Fans use less electricity than the AC, and they help soooo much!

Also, close blinds or curtains when the sun is beating down the hardest.

As for the credit score... no advice other than to keep doing what you're doing. As long as you're not attempting to buy a car or a house right now, a lower score shouldn't matter too much. It'll just take some time and patience to get it back up. Best of luck to you! You're obviously doing something right, so be proud of that!

**EmilyD** · 06-01-2006, 03:35 PM

Check with your electric company and see if they have a program (here, it is called level monthly pay) that takes an average of a year's worth of bills and you pay a monthly payment based on that. It helps to even out the high months.

**ama** · 06-02-2006, 07:35 AM

Credit scores are a tricky thing. SOmething I know quite a bit about though. A few years ago my score was down in the upper 500's. I bought a Jeep this week and was tickled to find my score is officially 781.

It takes ALOT of work. I recommend you check out a few of the credit sites such as -- creditinfocenter.com or creditboards.com. Good people, good advice.

**Seraph** · 06-02-2006, 08:47 AM

Just out of curiosity, is there a FREE way to get one's credit score? I've avoided checking it because they always want money to give it to you.

**frugalfarmwife** · 06-02-2006, 09:25 AM

Slow and steady wins the race, just keep paying the bills on time and plugging away, the credit score WILL go up, and as was mentioned as long as you're not looking to buy a house or car soon it's not going to effect you.

Besides, lol, if you're gonna buy a car SAVE UP FIRST

Then you don't get stuck with payments and interest!

kj

**Nemeweh** · 06-02-2006, 09:40 AM

Just so you know, the scores on the Credit Reporting Agencies are considered a FAKO (Fake credit scores) and are usually quite a bit off. You can only get real FICOs from the Fair Issac site. I no of no way to get them free, but I know Creditboards.com has a thread where people list codes for 10-20% off the price. HtH

**christina33** · 06-02-2006, 10:33 AM

Thanks for the encouragement.

I got one of the free credit report because of the new law. One I access it
the credit score was available for $5.95. This credit score was the new one by Experian " vantage point" that is suppose to replace or be better than FICO etc.
I don;t think you can get free scores yet.

I will check with the electric company and buy a fan this weekend.

I am not planning on a house at least another 2 years. The car will be used and purchased with cash hopefully early next year..

**SHOPGIRL** · 06-02-2006, 08:31 PM

Your allowed to get one credit report free a year. The law was passed last year.

**chatterweb** · 06-02-2006, 09:41 PM

If you belong to Costco, Executive members pay $7.49 a month for IndentityGuard. I signed up a month ago.
Remember, it takes a month for the payment to reflect the score, and if you have a wierd report the score can go down.
This happened to me. I have a card I owe $381.00 on, and the credit report is not showing the card limit, which is $14000.00, so, my credit score went down. This is a newer card, so it may take a while to reflect on the report...
I have to notify the credit card company and tell them to report it to the credit score companies.
High 500's for a score is not so bad, it really won't be long before the score jumps 100 points if you play the right cards! Then you will be almost 700!!

**treeluva** · 06-03-2006, 05:36 AM

In 2001, my credit score SUNK. (My ex husband decided that paying bills was not a necessity... and I was out of the country, in Korea, and online bill pay was not so available yet) When I say sunk, I mean it went down to like 400. My pesky credit card does give you your credit score every month for free... (yeah, right!) and I am happy to say that this month, my score jumped up 714. So, I still have some ways to go, but the only thing that can build your score back up is to pay your bills on time, over time.