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Hi Taylor
- Can we talk about credit scores? I understand credit, I know I
need a high number, and I generally understand how to improve my
score. But, how good does it actually need to be? How high should
I be aiming for? - Mariah
Hi Mariah - I'd love to talk about credit scores. This is
another one of those financial topics where advisors will say, "Improve
your credit score!" and then they won't tell you why or how or what
any of it means. So let's dig in a little.
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The
highest your score can reach is 850 (for personal credit, business
credit usually caps at 100). Chances of you hitting or coming close
to hitting 850, are slim to none. According to scoring companies FICO
and VantageScore, less than one percent of people hit 850. Congratulations
to those select few, but everyone else doesn't need to worry about
having a perfect score.
If you don't need to be perfect, what do you need? The goal with your
credit score is to be excellent, and that's generally defined as 720
or above. From 720 to 850, you're just competing with other awesome
people, and the majority are below the 800 mark. FICO estimates about
20% of scores were over 800 in 2017.
The 800 club, while not necessarily better than someone with a 770
score, is a benchmark that many people strive for. If you're looking
to become one of these credit elites, a few of the common attributes
include credit card debt under $3,500, less than 7% use of your credit
limit, and zero late payments on your report. If you're late in reimbursing
a lender, that strike usually stays on your credit history for seven
years.
Again, trying to have the absolute best credit score only matters
for certain people. For most of us, being in the excellent category
is sufficient. A score above 720, or even 700 in some cases, will
get you access to quality loans, help you increase your credit limits
and often have interest rates lowered by card providers.
If you have a score in the upper 700s, the main difference between
you and someone with an 840 is how much obsessing is done over the
credit score. You reach a point where the actual number doesn't matter,
and it's just tinkering to get FICO or whichever scoring company to
give you perfect marks. If you're working hard to get to 850, you
might have too much time on your hands.
Hopefully that explains a little bit about credit and which numbers
actually matter. Do what you can to keep your score high, but don't
stress when you find out a friend has an 820 and you're only at 790.
Take care, Mariah!
© Taylor Kovar
July 13, 2018
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| Disclaimer:
Information presented is for educational purposes only and is not
an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific
securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve
risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to
first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional
before implementing any strategy discussed herein. To submit a question
to be answered in this column, please send it via email to Question@GoFarWithKovar.com,
or via USPS to Taylor Kovar, 415 S 1st St, Suite 300, Lufkin, TX 75901.
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