At what point do your credit cards start hurting your credit?
CutieTM asked:
I have been told that to make my credit score higher, I need to reduce my credit card debt to 40% of the limit of the card. I was told that the card debt only begins hurting you when you go above that 40% of the limit of the card.
I have been told that to make my credit score higher, I need to reduce my credit card debt to 40% of the limit of the card. I was told that the card debt only begins hurting you when you go above that 40% of the limit of the card.
I just read somewhere else that going above 20% begins to HURT your credit score. Which is it?
Beth
Tags: Cards Credit, Credit Card Debt, Credit Cards
July 13th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Different scoring models have different thresholds. In addition, different creditors (not the credit scoring companies) have different standards. But it goes without saying that the higher your debt-to-limit ratio is, the lower your score goes. I’d guess you’re good with a ratio that is under 25%.
July 16th, 2009 at 1:54 am
You really don’t want or need credit if you ever want to be financially fit. Society has brainwashed everyone into thinking that you need a good credit score to get what you want. This is false. If I were you, I would, read “My Total money makeover” by Dave Ramsey. You will never think about money the same way again. Cash is King !
July 17th, 2009 at 7:21 am
If their maxxed out for more than 6 months. It’s best to have your balance at 30% of your credit limit, but if you can pay it back soon, you can use your maximum credit balance if you pay 70$ off within 90 days.
It usually takes the 3 credit bureaus that long to adjust your balances in your credit reports. Go to my website and look up “how credit scoring works”. That section would be helpful because it explains in great detail how your credit score is calculated and that would require too much page space to post it here.
July 18th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
dont obsess with you fico (I Love Debt ) score.
Banks spend millions brainwashing people into thinking they need credit cards and a high I Love Debt score to make it in todays world. Not True.
If you pay as you go you will win with money.
Credit card companies make all the rules and can change the rules anytime they want. Just read the fine print.
Go to daveramsey.com and listen to his radio show or watch his show on Fox Business News Network. He has lots of great advice on money and debt.
Debt Free is Definitely the way to be!
July 21st, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Boy did you get some lame answers.
The right balance is below 30% of your credit limit.