Do you want to build good credit? If you're trying to get a car loan or a mortgage you need to fix your credit if your scores are low. Even cell phone companies offering a 2 year contract will require a $200 deposit if you don't have any credit! Follow these tips to help fix your credit and obtain high credit scores.

1. Step 1

   
   

    
   Credit cards help fix your credit if you use them responsibly

   
   

   You need to open a credit card account in order to begin to build credit. Use the card each month. If you're trying to fix your credit, the key to to use credit cards responsibly. Cutting up EVERY card will keep you out of debt, but it won't help you fix your credit. It'll mean you won't have ANY.

2. Step 2

   
   

    
   Fix your credit and spend less money

   
   

   Don't spend what you haven't got. This sounds so logical that you might feel that your intelligence is being insulted that it's even on this list. However, it's human nature to feel, especially at first, as though "it's fine, I'll pay it off in a few weeks after a couple paychecks." But that's the start of building debt: the opposite of building good credit. Don't buy any more than you would if you had cash, and this will help fix your credit.

3. Step 3

   
   

    
   Fix your credit by being punctual

   
   

   Pay your credit card bills on time. This is important to help fix your credit for 3 reasons. First, being a good customer keeps you in good standing, and that in itself will raise your credit score. Second, paying on time helps you avoid a late fee, which can be as high as $40 per month. That's $480 per year. And third, paying on time helps you avoid the interest rates charged for holding a balance. Those charges are calculated based on a percentage set by your credit card company. So for example, if you buy $1000 worth of things, and have to pay $100 for your 10% interest rate on the $1000 you didn't pay, now you owe $1140. Even if you buy nothing else next month (which is unlikely), and don't pay off the balance, add on another $40 for the late fee. Then add on 10% of $1180 for your interest on the unpaid balance, and you owe $1298, even though you only spent $1000 2 months ago and you didn't buy anything since (again, unlikely). That amount will continue to compound unless you start paying it. That's how critical it is to have restraint right from the beginning.

4. Step 4

   
   

    
   Fix your credit and pay your bills

   
   

   Pay your other bills, like rent or mortgage, phone, and car loans. Some (more than before) of these companies will report to credit bureaus. It'll help fix your credit to have these bills taken care of.

5. Step 5

   
   

    

   
   

   Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By following these tips, you can avoid getting into debt, and you will build good credit. If you do find yourself having difficulty paying off debt, you will need to do further research on debt reduction before you can fix your credit. If you are interested in obtaining your credit score free, I've included a resource link below. Good luck!