Credit score help?

Question

My husband and I are about to pay off OUR car and then hopefully pay off HIS truck in time. At that point we will be completely debt free. I will be debt free when the car gets paid off very soon. 
Here’s the problem/question...
We are in a very good temporary(few years) position to not worry about some bills because of my husbands job. Hence, paying off debts. Before we got in this position we struggled bad when I had to quit my job to take care of our kids(long story). We fell behind on payments and then with COVID it affected us even more. 
My credit score plummeted! My husbands was excellent, but I’m not sure it’s as good anymore. 
How can I improve my score? When I have No payments or debt, just past late payment history. I REALLY don’t want to get a loan/credit card. Even if I qualified it wouldn’t qualify for much, with high rates and then them looking at my score... ugh NO.
I know late payments and such stay on your credit for 7yrs. I don’t have that long to wait for my score to go up. 
We plan to move within the next few years and buy a new house. Which may require a loan with we don’t have enough in savings by then. 
How can I raise my score without current debt? I already reviewed my reports and not seeing any errors on there.

Answer

The only thing u can do is to make on-time payments & over time the on-time payments kinda dilute the effect of the late payments (hopefully that makes sense). If u don’t have any more accounts on your report, have your husband list u as an authorized user on his credit cards. Good luck

Answer

I have excellent credit... I have various credit cards but only with stores like Macy’s, Kohl’s etc 
When I need something, I’ll pay for it using my store credit card and pay it off right away ... or when the bill comes. If you pay it off as you use it you won’t ever have to pay the interest. You pay interest on the balance you don’t pay off when the bill is due. 
Example: bought a coat from Macy’s, 2 weeks later the bill comes ... coat was $100 but the minimum due is only $26. If you pay the full $100, that’s all you will pay. If you only pay the minimum due $26, the remaining balance of $74 will then be subject to whatever your interest rate is (for example 22%) your next bill will then arrive with $74 + $16.28.... this is how people get into big debt. Pay off the balance right away and you will never have to worry about the interest rate....

Answer

The unfortunate part about credit scores is that you can only raise them with debt. The best option is to have cards that you keep at very minimal balances. Pay on those every month and your score will go up. Also, increased credit availability. A 500 limit with a constant 25 dollar balance isn’t going to help you as much as a 1500 limit with the same small amount on it. Longevity of accounts is also important, so keep those cards open. Select your cards wisely and look for the best perks because closing them will ding your credit.

Answer

You could try a secured credit card with a cash deposit as your credit limit balance, use it for your normal things that you normally purchase your groceries or gasoline your coffee, pay it in full every single month, for at least six months and it should establish or raise your credit. Make sure you pay all of your bills on time from here on out and if you have any derogatory items like medical bills or anything like that, make sure that they are paid off. ￼

Answer

My husband was in your shoes a while ago. Here is the advice or financial advisor gave us. If you are going to make a purchase say for a TV, couch, bed stuff like buy it on credit. They usually have zero interest for 6 months or what ever.  And even if you have the money pay it off over time.  My husband went from a credit score in the 400's to a 790 in about six years.  Also as far as buying a house,  if your husband's credit is good then he can have the loan in his name but add you to the title on the house so your credit score doesn't effect your interest rate or ability to get a loan.

Credit score help?

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