Financial Advice for the New Year!

ID-100124223The New Year is upon us and with it comes the mandatory resolutions so closely associated with the beginning of the year.  Whether it’s to renew that gym membership with the promise of a regular exercise schedule or getting to bed on time every night, new beginnings are what the New Year is all about.  Here’s one that should be on everyone’s list; improving your credit score.

Auto Credit Express has brought to light an article that the AFSA Educational Foundation put together to help people better manage their money in order to give their credit rating a helpful boost.  Here are a few choice things you can do to help get you on the right track.

Choose a month to look at how you’re spending your money.  You want to do this in order to see exactly where your paychecks are going to.  See if you can spot places where there is unnecessary spending.  This information can make a more realistic budget and provide a bigger and better picture for a monthly budget.

One tip that I can’t stress enough is that you should obtain a copy of your credit report in order to know where you stand.  Knowing that credit score is necessary to know what needs to be done.

Always make sure to make more than the minimum on your credit cards.  Pay it in full if you can, but if that’s not a choice than anything additional you can pay down is a bonus.  Be it just 5 extra dollars or as much as $50, it helps you get to the end goal of no more debt even faster.

Taking charge of your finances is the best way to ensure that you don’t encounter credit problems in the future should you choose to apply for an auto loan.  There’s plenty more tips provided that should give plenty of help, so make sure to check them out.

Looking for a car and you’re in the Queens area?  You’re in luck; we here at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge want to meet with you.  We love to say yes here.  Stop on by and see how we can help you get the vehicle you need to make 2013 the best year ever!  Pay our Facebook page a visit as well as our Twitter and stay up to date with more credit tips and offers!

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Mistakes to Avoid for a Better Credit Score

Credit problems shouldn’t mean you don’t get the loan necessary to get a car. At Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge, we want to make sure that you come in and drive off with what you need. One way of doing that is to provide some tips on how to get your credit issues under control.

Auto Credit Express has a break down of the three biggest mistakes that people with credit problems make. If you’ve found yourself wonder just how your score got so low, chances are pretty good that you have fallen victim to one of these traps.

You may be paying your bills late. If you are, that can be damaging to your FICO score in a very negative way. Getting your billing situation under control to make sure you’re not being overwhelmed can go a long way in helping.

Another mistake you may be making is that your credit card balance is too high. When a lender checks into your credit, they don’t like to see your balance maxed out. You should be using around 30 percent or less of any credit lines. It’s a huge red flag if lenders see too much debt.

Applying for the same kind of loan, be it home or a car loan, in a small amount of time are seen by the credit companies as a single instance in most cases. When you start applying for variety of different credit types, however, it can impact your score.

If you can avoid making these three mistakes, you’ll find a better credit score at the end of the road. If you’re suffering from credit issues but need to get yourself in vehicle, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. We love to say yes. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more credit tips and other auto news.

Improve Your Credit By Purchasing a Car

Looking to get a vehicle for yourself but are also suffering from having bad credit at the same time?  What you might not know is that having credit issues and purchasing that very car can actually go a long way in helping you improve your score.

Auto Credit Express breaks down the how this can help.  Lenders are looking to get people through the dealership doors even if they have low FICO scores.  Just because your credit is bad now doesn’t mean that it was in the past.  If they can see that changes in your score occurred due to major life events, such as losing your job or experiencing a medical problem, then the odds are more in your favor of getting a good loan.

Before you do head into the dealership, however, there are things to keep in mind.  First, that loan you’re getting after a dip in the FICO score will be at a higher rate than many consumers are used to.  You’ll also want to make sure to make each payment on time, as well as other bills you have, so that you can qualify for a better rate the next time around.  If you miss a payment on time, then it will take your credit score even lower down.

The point of purchasing a car in this case is to improve your credit while getting the vehicle you need.  The best tips to do this are to make sure that you look for an inexpensive car, small or midsized.  See if you can choose a loan term of 48 months or less.  Make sure you check on the history of the vehicle.  By following these steps, you place your self in a position to save money by trading out in 18 to 30 months for a better deal.  Also, knowing that history makes sure you avoid thousands of dollars in repair bills.

Come on in to Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge and start the process of improving your credit while driving away in that car you need.  We love to say yes at the dealership.  Be sure to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for more tips and deals.