The start of a new year is a good chance to review your finances and make some quick changes which could help improve your credit worthiness within just a few weeks. Having a strong credit rating can help bring you one step closer to securing finance, as it is a way for lenders to check if you are financially reliable, whether you're trying to get a loan, credit card, mortgage or car finance.
It’s important to recognise that there is no definitive ‘credit score’, as different lenders will use different tools to measure your credit worthiness when it comes to borrowing money - no matter how big or small the amount. A higher level of worthiness is a positive sign to lenders, so it is worth taking steps to avoid bad habits that could be detrimental to your financial standing.
The current cost of living crisis is pushing household budgets to the limit, but it’s also making getting credit harder. Increasing your borrowing is a risky choice for 2023 as interest rates are at record-breaking levels and the pressure to keep up repayments could be overwhelming. But if it’s an option you want to have in your financial first aid kit in case of an unexpected emergency, it’s worthwhile taking steps over the next few weeks to make sure your credit rating is in its best shape for the year ahead.Top Money Stories Today To keep up to date with the latest personal finance news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.