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Man smiling in front of his computer
Man smiling in front of his computer

3 Things that Impact Your Credit Score and How to Avoid Bad Credit

Your credit score is key to financial flexibility. It’s often used when you buy a house, get a car loan, open a bank account, or do just about anything that requires a third-party to have financial confidence in you.

Your credit score is key to financial flexibility. It’s often used when you buy a house, get a car loan, open a bank account, or do just about anything that requires a third-party to have financial confidence in you.

What goes into a credit score? How do you avoid bad credit? Let’s look at the three most important things impacting your credit score and what you can do to improve it.

Your Payment History

According to the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), the company responsible for the credit score used by 90% of the top lenders, your payment history makes up more than one-third of your overall credit score. Whether you make your payments on time is a massive indicator of how financially reliable you are, which is why it has such an impact on your credit score.

Does it really matter if you miss a few payments? Yes. One late payment can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. Of all the things you can do with your money, making payments when you say you’re going to make them is incredibly important.

The Amount of Money You Owe

The second most important thing impacting your credit score is how much you owe. Remember, a credit score is a numerical number that attempts to represent how likely you are to default on a loan. When your outstanding loan total makes up 30% of your overall credit score, keeping debts low makes you a more worthwhile prospect to a lender than someone struggling to stay afloat.

If you want to avoid bad credit, do everything in your power to demonstrate a lower risk to lenders. One of the best ways to do this is by paying down existing debt.

The Length of Your Credit History

The third biggest factor that goes into your personal credit score is the length of your credit history. In simple terms, this 15% of your credit score is dictated by how long you’ve been doing things that demonstrate good or bad borrowing habits. If you have just started utilizing and building credit, you’re going to have a shorter credit history. If you’ve been borrowing and paying back money successfully for a long time, the longer credit history makes you more reliable on paper to lenders.

Don’t feel bad if you’ve just started building your credit history. If you keep doing the right things repeatedly, your credit history length will grow, and your score will go up.

Putting The Rest Together – Avoiding Bad Credit

Although we’ve talked about the three largest factors that could impact your credit score, there are plenty of other variables that can change your score in an instant. From your overall credit mix and new credit inquiries to bankruptcies, your financial past can quickly change your present.

In the end, if you want to improve your credit score and avoid the pitfalls that come with poor credit, all you have to do is demonstrate that you’re a trustworthy borrower. Live up to your obligations, make your payments on time, and don’t get overextended. If you do these things repeatedly, you’ll be a credit score rockstar in no time. If you want to learn more about building your credit score, check out our article, “3 Tips to Improve Your Credit Score.

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Unless indicated differently, data is as of 06/30/2024.


*Disclosures

1. Pricing: Free with Beanstox Simple. Learn About Pricing.

2. Power Savings: As of June 30, 2024, traditional US Savings Account Rate: 0.45% (YCharts); T-Bill yield: 5.20% (YCharts); 5% based on the 30-day SEC yield of the Beanstox short-duration bond portfolio ETF constituents; the 30-day SEC yield is a standard metric defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period after the deduction of the ETF’s expenses. There are no assurances that this yield will be sustainable in the future. This product invests in one or more ETFs. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. T-Bill yield as of 06/30/2024 is 5.20%. Source YCharts.

3. Stocks 500: Where applicable, as of June 30, 2024, S&P 500 return assumes an initial $1,000 investment, 40-year annualized return of 11% (Source: Bloomberg Finance LP). It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This product invests in an ETF aiming to track the S&P 500’s performance. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. Returns before ETF fees. Diversification is not a guarantee of profit or protection against loss.

4. Wealth Builder: Saving $400/month over 40 years, but not investing and assuming no interest accrual, would accumulate $192,000; however, investing the same $400/month, could add up to over $1million over the same period of time. This projection illustrates a hypothetical example of compounding over time, based on an investment of $400 per month for 40 years with an assumed annualized returns of 7% or more, compounded monthly, assuming the funds stay invested throughout the investment period.

5. All corporate logos are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

6. App store rating is as of June 30, 2024, and is based upon all ratings and reviews received by Apple App Store and Google Play Store (collectively, the “App Stores”) submitted since the Beanstox app was available on each App Store. Current rating can be found on Beanstox’s app preview in each App Store and is subject to change. App Store rating is generally calculated and generated by each App Stores based on the average of all total Beanstox app ratings. No compensation was exchanged for reviews or ratings. Rating may not be representative of the Beanstox client experience, advisory services, or investment performance. For more information, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store

Beanstox Inc. (“Beanstox”) is an SEC registered investment adviser and has arranged for brokerage services to be provided by DriveWealth LLC., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. DriveWealth is not affiliated with Beanstox.

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance levels and Beanstox’s charges and expenses. The information provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to hold, buy or sell any investment or security of any kind. Beanstox’s internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving investment goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 3 CRS and other disclosures.

All images and return figures shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual customer or model returns. Actual returns will vary greatly and depend on personal and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.

Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies so that we can remember you and understand how you and other visitors use our site. Please see Beanstox Privacy Policy for more information.

© 2024 Beanstox Inc.


Copyright © 2024 Beanstox. All Rights Reserved

Unless indicated differently, data is as of 06/30/2024.


*Disclosures

1. Pricing: Free with Beanstox Simple. Learn About Pricing.

2. Power Savings: As of June 30, 2024, traditional US Savings Account Rate: 0.45% (YCharts); T-Bill yield: 5.20% (YCharts); 5% based on the 30-day SEC yield of the Beanstox short-duration bond portfolio ETF constituents; the 30-day SEC yield is a standard metric defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period after the deduction of the ETF’s expenses. There are no assurances that this yield will be sustainable in the future. This product invests in one or more ETFs. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. T-Bill yield as of 06/30/2024 is 5.20%. Source YCharts.

3. Stocks 500: Where applicable, as of June 30, 2024, S&P 500 return assumes an initial $1,000 investment, 40-year annualized return of 11% (Source: Bloomberg Finance LP). It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This product invests in an ETF aiming to track the S&P 500’s performance. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. Returns before ETF fees. Diversification is not a guarantee of profit or protection against loss.

4. Wealth Builder: Saving $400/month over 40 years, but not investing and assuming no interest accrual, would accumulate $192,000; however, investing the same $400/month, could add up to over $1million over the same period of time. This projection illustrates a hypothetical example of compounding over time, based on an investment of $400 per month for 40 years with an assumed annualized returns of 7% or more, compounded monthly, assuming the funds stay invested throughout the investment period.

5. All corporate logos are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

6. App store rating is as of June 30, 2024, and is based upon all ratings and reviews received by Apple App Store and Google Play Store (collectively, the “App Stores”) submitted since the Beanstox app was available on each App Store. Current rating can be found on Beanstox’s app preview in each App Store and is subject to change. App Store rating is generally calculated and generated by each App Stores based on the average of all total Beanstox app ratings. No compensation was exchanged for reviews or ratings. Rating may not be representative of the Beanstox client experience, advisory services, or investment performance. For more information, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store

Beanstox Inc. (“Beanstox”) is an SEC registered investment adviser and has arranged for brokerage services to be provided by DriveWealth LLC., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. DriveWealth is not affiliated with Beanstox.

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance levels and Beanstox’s charges and expenses. The information provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to hold, buy or sell any investment or security of any kind. Beanstox’s internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving investment goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 3 CRS and other disclosures.

All images and return figures shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual customer or model returns. Actual returns will vary greatly and depend on personal and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.

Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies so that we can remember you and understand how you and other visitors use our site. Please see Beanstox Privacy Policy for more information.

© 2024 Beanstox Inc.


Copyright © 2024 Beanstox. All Rights Reserved

Unless indicated differently, data is as of 06/30/2024.


*Disclosures

1. Pricing: Free with Beanstox Simple. Learn About Pricing.

2. Power Savings: As of June 30, 2024, traditional US Savings Account Rate: 0.45% (YCharts); T-Bill yield: 5.20% (YCharts); 5% based on the 30-day SEC yield of the Beanstox short-duration bond portfolio ETF constituents; the 30-day SEC yield is a standard metric defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period after the deduction of the ETF’s expenses. There are no assurances that this yield will be sustainable in the future. This product invests in one or more ETFs. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. T-Bill yield as of 06/30/2024 is 5.20%. Source YCharts.

3. Stocks 500: Where applicable, as of June 30, 2024, S&P 500 return assumes an initial $1,000 investment, 40-year annualized return of 11% (Source: Bloomberg Finance LP). It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This product invests in an ETF aiming to track the S&P 500’s performance. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. Returns before ETF fees. Diversification is not a guarantee of profit or protection against loss.

4. Wealth Builder: Saving $400/month over 40 years, but not investing and assuming no interest accrual, would accumulate $192,000; however, investing the same $400/month, could add up to over $1million over the same period of time. This projection illustrates a hypothetical example of compounding over time, based on an investment of $400 per month for 40 years with an assumed annualized returns of 7% or more, compounded monthly, assuming the funds stay invested throughout the investment period.

5. All corporate logos are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

6. App store rating is as of June 30, 2024, and is based upon all ratings and reviews received by Apple App Store and Google Play Store (collectively, the “App Stores”) submitted since the Beanstox app was available on each App Store. Current rating can be found on Beanstox’s app preview in each App Store and is subject to change. App Store rating is generally calculated and generated by each App Stores based on the average of all total Beanstox app ratings. No compensation was exchanged for reviews or ratings. Rating may not be representative of the Beanstox client experience, advisory services, or investment performance. For more information, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store

Beanstox Inc. (“Beanstox”) is an SEC registered investment adviser and has arranged for brokerage services to be provided by DriveWealth LLC., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. DriveWealth is not affiliated with Beanstox.

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance levels and Beanstox’s charges and expenses. The information provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to hold, buy or sell any investment or security of any kind. Beanstox’s internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving investment goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 3 CRS and other disclosures.

All images and return figures shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual customer or model returns. Actual returns will vary greatly and depend on personal and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.

Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies so that we can remember you and understand how you and other visitors use our site. Please see Beanstox Privacy Policy for more information.

© 2024 Beanstox Inc.


Copyright © 2024 Beanstox. All Rights Reserved