
In the finance realm, credit is defined as "the ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future."
Credit is an important factor to your name when it comes to loans, job searching, and interest rates. Your "credit score" is given to you on a scale from 300 to 850; this score tells people how trustworthy you are with paying things back on time.
What is a good credit score?
Poor credit: 300-579
Fair credit: 580-669
Good credit: 670-739
Very good credit: 740-799
Excellent credit: 800-850
Any credit score of 670 or above is considered to be "good" credit. If you are in this range, you are now more likely to benefit from the "prime interest rate", meaning you will pay less interest on your credit cards, loans, or even mortgages.
Benefits of a good credit score
When you obtain a high and sufficient credit score, you are more likely to be accepted for your own credit card or loan from a bank. Furthermore, you are more likely to find success when applying for a mortgage.
In addition to having higher approval rates, you may be offered lower interest rates. As we know, lower interest rates mean you do not have to pay as much interest monthly or annually. Over time, you will save a grand amount of money and can use this to benefit your budget and overall payments.
How to increase your credit score
1.) Pay all of your loans on time. Don't miss these kinds of payments.
2.) Do not get intensely close to your credit limit. Leave some cushioning space just to be safe so that you do not go over your limit.
3.) Have a long credit history. This is not doable overnight; this part may take a long time.
4.) Make sure that your credit report doesn't have any errors. Double-check everything.
(https://www.usa.gov/credit-score)
All in all, understanding credit is essential for managing your finances effectively. Credit is what influences your purchasing power and reflects your financial responsibility to lenders and credit card companies. By maintaining good credit habits—such as paying bills on time and keeping balances low—you can build a strong credit history and unlock better financial opportunities.