How does everyone have better credit than me but no one has a clue how they got it?

1. How many times is too many times? Once a month? Twice a year?

2. How many points does each credit check take off?

3. How do you extend your credit limit on a credit card? Do you just wait for it to automatically go up or do you have to call the company and request it?

4. If you have the answers to these questions, how and where did you get them? No one seems to have a clue and always giving me answers that never make sense.

How does everyone have better credit than me but no one has a clue how they got it?

Answers to your questions:

1. I%26#039;m assuming you%26#039;re talking about how often you should check your credit. I would say at leat every 6 months. Checking your own credit will not lower your score.

If you suspect you%26#039;re at risk for identity theft, you%26#039;ll want to check it more often.

If you are planning to buy a home or car, you%26#039;ll want to keep a close eye on it, as well.

2. I%26#039;ve heard conflicting advice on that. I%26#039;ve heard 2 points each time. But I don%26#039;t think that%26#039;s correct. If you%26#039;re applying for credit left and right, you%26#039;re going to look like you%26#039;re desperate. Lenders don%26#039;t want to see a bunch of inquiries on your credit report.

3. Call the credit card company and ask. If you have been a good customer they may be willing to raise your limits.

4. Where did I get these answers? I%26#039;m a mortgage loan officer. I specialize in loans for people with credit problems. I don%26#039;t like just turning people down and telling them to have a nice life. So, I decided to educate myself about credit. That way instead of just telling my clients that I can%26#039;t approve them, I can tell them what they need to do to improve their credit, so I can approve them in the future. I%26#039;ve read tons of books, articles, etc. Plus, I%26#039;ve been through it myself. My credit was pretty bad at one point.

I%26#039;ve also written a few articles about credit scoring that you may find helpful:

http://leahifft.com/credit_bureau_score....

http://leahifft.com/how_can_i_increase_m...

http://leahifft.com/keeping_your_credit_...

How does everyone have better credit than me but no one has a clue how they got it?

pay all bills on time you will get credit sooner or later

How does everyone have better credit than me but no one has a clue how they got it?

Your FICO score is based upon your credit history, plus how much available credit you have. Having too much available credit will ding your score, but unfortunately I don%26#039;t know how much is too much.

You can check your credit report once a year for free. Anymore than that and the credit agencies will charge you. Credit checks will take a few points off your score, but again I don%26#039;t know how much.

I think if you did some research on one of the major credit agency websites you could get specific answers to your questions. I think there is a website called myfico.com where you can order your score plus find out some valuable information.

I have a credit score around 800 - I have never paid a bill late (that will really ding your score, even if you%26#039;ve only done it once or twice). And I%26#039;ve had a wide variety of credit like student loans, car loans, mortgage and revolving credit cards. Since I%26#039;ve paid them alll on time, my score is high.