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You can get started fixing your FICO credit score by reaching into your wallet or purse and pulling out the plastic.

Yes, it’s time to get serious about debt….

Your goal is to reduce your outstanding balances on all your credit cards. It’s been reported that nearly one-third of one’s FICO credit score — 30% — is based on the ratio of your credit limits and how much you owe on each credit card account.

Following through with maintaining this ratio on your own cards will go a long way to improving your own credit score.

Make it an iron-clad rule with yourself that you don’t use more than 30-50 percent of your total available credit. This means knowing what your credit limit is, knowing how high the balance is, and making a deal with yourself that this balance will start coming down immediately!

So right now, do this: Turn those plastic cards in your hand over and call the toll-free numbers on the back of them. On a single piece of paper, write down the balance due, available credit left, next minimum payment amount that is due, and the due date.

List all the cards you have, whether you use them or not.

Now, write down in the left column, next to each, what your payments will be if you double the minimum payment this month. Total them up, and make plans to pay this new amount starting with this month’s payments.

This could mean sacrificing spending money on something else. This could mean selling something so you can free up some monthly income to cover these newly self-imposed credit card payment increases. Whatever you need to do, do it. It will be worth it.

Having a credit card that’s maxed out with a $1,000 credit limit tends to hammer your FICO credit score harder than if you have a $15,000 credit line on your credit card and you carry $5,000 in outstanding debt.

You can sometimes call the card issuer and request that they increase your credit limit to get you to this ratio, but it’s easier to pay down the debt and eliminate the amounts you owe. Besides, having more debt could even be too tempting at times, and you definitely don’t want to pile on any more to your credit card balances!

But by following the strategy listed here, you’ll be taking action yourself to fix the problem, and within 6-12 months, with determination and discipline and good spending habits, you’ll be amazed at how fast these credit card debts will disappear.

Yes, I know other credit guru’s recommend paying down the credit card with the lowest balance, or the credit card that carries the highest interest rates first. That’s a great strategy, but you need to first get your card balances in ratio to help improve your FICO score… then you can start down the path of debt reduction.

It’s a good idea to always keep your oldest credit card, even if it isn’t getting used any longer, as the longer you’ve had credit, the better.

But don’t keep the card if there is a stiff annual fee, it may not be worth it. Keep the next oldest card you have that carries no annual fee.

Steve Johnson is publisher of http://www.FindHow2.com, which offers free advice on cleaning up your credit report to help improve your FICO credit score, as well as other
free “how-to” articles on debt management, budgeting, saving money and loan consolidation.

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You may have heard one of your mates boasting that they’ve been approved for a platinum credit card and wondered exactly what all the hullabaloo and fuss is over. Usually, it means that your mate is to be commended for keeping his or her accounts well in order but aside from that, each company that issues cards has different standards and features for their platinum cards.

First, understand that most finance companies that issue credit cards have many different products. Each of them allows you to make purchases on credit, but they each have different features that are unique to that particular card. One may offer a lower interest rate, but trade it off with an annual membership fee, while another may have a slightly higher interest rate and no fee as well as discounts for purchases made a particular merchants. Many of these companies offer a platinum credit card that is loaded with features for their best customers.

Each company’s platinum credit card is different. In fact, many companies offer more than one version. In general, it has a high spending limit, low interest rates and special features that are designed to make it attractive to those who use often. Those features may include cash back, special rewards, membership in discount clubs or auto clubs and even special rates on automobile or life insurance. They also, however, often have an annual membership fee you must pay in order to keep your card, which may make them less attractive than a less prestigious card.

In other words, even though these types of cards often require impeccable credit, don’t automatically assume that a platinum credit card is the best card for you. Depending on your reason for wanting a credit and your circumstances, another type of credit card may be the better choice. If you’re carrying outstanding balances on other cards for instance, you may do better with a balance transfer card that offers 0% interest rates for balance transfers. You may find that an option that offers a discount on petrol prices is the best choice for you if you travel a lot, or you may prefer something that’s linked to your favourite charity.

Before you make your application, it pays to compare all the features and charges of one against another. At moneyeverything.com you’ll find listings of dozens of credit card offers from all the major companies in the UK. You can compare interest rates, annual fees, cashback and rewards and other incentives online to help you choose the best credit card for you.

Jon Francis has been involved in various areas with the world of finance and has a keen eye for a bargin! He has an in-depth knowledge of the credit card UK market and now helps others get the best from a credit card.

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1. What is a credit card?

   A credit card is a small plastic card with a magnetic strip that is issued by a bank or other financial institution. It authorises card holders to purchase services and goods on credit.

2. What kinds of credit cards are available?

   There are many kinds of credit cards available, but they break down into two different main kinds. Charge cards allow you to charge items to your account but expect that you will pay off your full balance each month, Credit cards also allow you to charge items to your account, but let you pay for your purchases over time and charge you interest on the outstanding balance.

3. What’s the best kind of credit card?

   There’s no single answer to that question, because it depends entirely on your circumstances. Only you can decide whether you’re better off with a low interest card, one that offers cashback or rewards, or some combination of those. In general, most people prefer a credit card that offers a low APR - but that may not be the best choice for someone who pays their balance in full each month.

4. What is an APR?

   APR stands for annual percentage rate. Credit card companies make their money in many different ways. One of those ways is by charging you interest on the money that you borrow to buy things. The annual percentage rate is the percentage of your outstanding balance that you’ll be charged in interest charges. If your APR is 12%, for instance, you’ll pay ₤12 interest per year on ₤100.

5. How do I get a lower APR?

   The APR that you’re offered is completely dependent on your credit score, the higher your credit score, the lower rate of interest you’ll be offered. If you have a record of paying your bills on time, you’ll be offered a credit card with a low APR. If you pay you bills on time and keep your accounts up to date, you’ll qualify for a lower APR in time.

6. What’s a secured credit card?

   If you can’t qualify for a regular credit card because of low or no credit, a secured credit card may be the solution that you need. You simply deposit a sum of money into a bank account with the bank that issues your card. Your spending limit will be a portion of that deposit. That money will remain in the account as security in case you don’t pay your account. If you make regular payments when they’re due, the issuing company will eventually approve a regular credit card for you.

7. How do I compare credit cards to decide which one is best for me?

   There are many different standards of comparison when you’re choosing a credit card - interest rates, annual fees, finance charges, penalties and late fees - even how your interest charge is determined. You can compare credit cards against each another at comparison websites where you’ll find all the information you need to compare credit offers from dozens of UK companies.

8. How do I apply for a credit card?

   Applying for a credit card online is easy, too. From the comparison websites you can just click on the offer that you’ve chosen to fill out a short application. In many cases, you can have an answer within minutes.

Jon Francis has been involved in various areas with the world of finance and has a keen eye for a bargin! He has an in-depth knowledge of the credit card UK market and now helps others get the best from a credit card. For more information visit http://www.moneyeverything.com

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