In South Africa, credit scores typically range from 300 to 850. A higher score indicates better creditworthiness, which can lead to more favorable loan terms and interest rates. A score of 680 or higher is generally regarded as a sign of ‘good’ credit behaviour.
Maintaining a healthy credit score will have a major impact on your credit journey, offering you the opportunity to secure better deals, at better interest rates. Being on the opposite side of the spectrum can feel daunting though, as in this position you will likely find yourself with limited credit options, and those offered will likely be at a much higher cost over time.
In this article, we will take a look at tips and changes you can use to assist in improving your credit record over the next 6 months – bearing in mind, that even if you manage your credit to perfection, it will still take more time for you to fully benefit from the progress, as many of the credit bureaus will keep your history for up to 24 months.
Lifestyle Changes for Long-Term Credit Health
1. Pay Bills on Time
Your payment history is a significant factor in your credit score. Consistently paying bills on time demonstrates reliability to lenders. Setting up automatic payments or reminders can help ensure timely payments.
2. Manage Credit Utilisation
Aim to use what you need, and not be excessive with your current credit options. If you can ensure that you are not maxing out your credit limits consistently, you will avoid the negative impact on your score for high credit utilisation.
3. Limit New Credit Applications
Each credit application can result in a hard inquiry, which may slightly lower your score. Avoid applying for multiple credit accounts in a short period. This can quickly become a key area of concern, especially if you have a low credit score and find yourself in an emergency; however, applying for credit from multiple vendors in a short space of time will essentially put you in a worse position.
4. Maintain a Mix of Credit Types
Having a variety of credit accounts, such as credit cards, store accounts, and loans, can positively influence your score. However, only take on credit what you can manage responsibly.
Quick Fixes to Boost Your Score
1. Check and Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report
Obtain your credit report and review it for inaccuracies. If you find errors, dispute them with the credit bureau to have them corrected. An old account, or an incorrect report of payment history can have a major impact on your score, and you might not have even been aware of it.
2. Pay Down High Balances
Reducing outstanding balances, especially on revolving credit accounts like credit cards, can improve your credit utilisation ratio and boost your score.
3. Keep Old Accounts Open
The length of your credit history affects your score. Keeping older accounts open can contribute positively, as long as they are managed responsibly.
Six-Month Credit Score Improvement Timeline
Month 1: Assess and Plan
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Check Your Credit Score: Use the RCS Free Credit Score Check to understand your current standing.
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Review Your Credit Report: Identify any errors or areas for improvement.
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Set Up Payment Reminders: Ensure all bills are paid on time moving forward.
Month 2: Reduce Debt
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Pay Down Balances: Focus on reducing balances on high-interest accounts, putting in a little extra if you are able to will speed up this process.
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Avoid New Credit Applications: Limit new credit inquiries to prevent score dips.
Month 3: Monitor Progress
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Review Credit Report Updates: Check if your recent payments are reflected.
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Maintain Low Credit Utilisation: Continue to keep balances at a good level, trying to keep your overall use at between 30% and 50% of your available credit.
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Continue Timely Payments: Ensure all accounts are paid on time, this remains critical in the plan.
Month 4: Reassess and Adjust
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Check Your Credit Score Again: Use the RCS Free Credit Score Check to monitor improvements to your score, and again check all the finer details on the report. Bear in mind that credit scores can take months to reflect changes in behaviour.
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Adjust Strategies as Needed: If progress is slower than expected, consider consulting a financial advisor.
Month 5: Diversify Credit
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Consider a Small Credit Account: If you have limited credit history, a small, manageable credit account can help build your profile.
Month 6: Maintain Good Habits
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Maintain progress: You should be at a point now where you are starting to see some clear progress in your reports. Remember, this can also come down to each individual’s credit history. If you were in a really bad space with your credit scores, it will likely be a longer road to recovery, and in this case you need to continue on the path set above. For others with a fair credit history, this process could assist you in getting into a higher bracket, and opening up even more credit opportunities.
It is important to remember that credit is a useful tool that needs to be used responsibly. Get into the habit of monitoring your credit score regularly, and taking action to influence its improvement.
