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Having good credit opens up doors for you. You probably already know that if your credit score is good, you’re going to be able to get lower rates on mortgages or personal loans from top-notch lenders. You could enjoy the most competitive interest rates in the industry, plus minimal fees.
There are also benefits you may not be aware of, though, that are well worth working hard to earn. In fact, here are seven hidden benefits of having great credit that may just motivate you to boost your score as much as you can.
Nothing improves your life like living somewhere awesome. Great credit makes it easier to do that.
Of course, you can get a more affordable mortgage with a good credit score, so you can buy a fancier house in a great neighborhood. But for those who aren’t looking to become homeowners, landlords also check your credit.
If you want to live in a great apartment — especially one that’s in high demand — you’re going to need to pass your landlord’s credit check with flying colors.
When you have great credit, you don’t necessarily have to spend much time shopping around for the best credit cards. Card companies are likely going to approach you with pre-approval offers.
These sometimes come with exclusive bonus offers that aren’t available to everyone. These targeted bonus offers can be really generous in terms of perks, like a big sign-up bonus or a 0% APR deal.
In most states, insurance companies assign you a special credit-based insurance score. If you have a high credit score, your credit-based insurance score is most likely also going to be better. You’re going to get better rates on your insurance coverage, so you can keep more money in your pocket instead of wasting it on unnecessarily high premiums.
Cellphone companies check your credit. If you have a higher score, you’re more likely to be offered favorable deals, including special promotional offers that give you a good deal on phone service.
You’ll also be able to finance your phone purchase if you want and will be eligible for a postpaid plan where you pay once a month after using your phone, rather than buying data upfront before you use it.
If you have bad credit, it can take a long time to find a lender offering a reasonable deal that doesn’t have any shady terms. When you have a great credit score, you can apply with pretty much any lender — including those offering great customer service and affordable rates.
You should still shop around if you’re borrowing money, but it’ll be much easier to find reputable companies that are willing to lend to you.
Research has shown more than 51% of employers check the credit score of a potential employee before hiring. You won’t have to worry about a bad credit history derailing a job offer with your dream company if your credit score is good. A better job means earning more income and improving your finances over the long run.
Research from eharmony showed having little or no credit card debt and a high credit score was an important positive trait people look for in a potential partner, and other research has shown a low score is a dealbreaker for many. So if you want the best dating life, aim to build the kind of credit score that would make any future partner happy to hear about.
As you can see, there are a lot of advantages to great credit that you may not think of. Here are a few tips to build a strong credit score.
Make credit card payments on time all the time, as payment history is key to a good score. Set up autopay so you don’t forget.Have a good mix of different kinds of credit, including credit cards and installment loans (such as a personal loan, mortgage, or car loan), as your credit mix is an important factor affecting your score.Avoid closing old accounts so you have a longer average age of credit. A longer account history improves your score.Aim to keep your credit balance below 30% of your available credit, as a high utilization ratio can hurt your score.
If you’re starting from scratch and want to build credit, consider applying for one of the best secured cards. These are easy to qualify for and often include credit-building tools like access to your FICO® Score for free. Apply for one today to start earning the score you need to improve your life.
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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Christy Bieber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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