1. Check your Credit Report

You need to know where you are financially. Checking your Credit Report lets you see where you need to improve. Do you have a few missed payments? Is your debt utilization too high? Knowing these things can help you decide what to tackle first. You are entitled to a free credit report each year from each credit bureau, Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. You'll also want to check your credit report for any errors or fraudulent accounts. If something is inaccurate, make sure to dispute it.

2. Make a Plan to Catch up on Payments & Pay Your Bills on Time Moving Forward

Making on-time payments is the largest factor that affects your credit score. If you are behind on payments, you won't be able to improve your credit situation. If you can't afford to bring everything up to date at once, you can contact your creditors and they will work with you to come up with a payment plan that's good for you. Explain your situation and let them know that you want to pay your obligation. Let them know how much you can pay and how long you expect to pay for it. In most cases, it's possible to work out an arrangement all parties can live with. Moving Forward, make sure to pay your bills on time. This includes non-credit bills.
Any missed utility payments or late rent payments can be reported to the credit bureaus. Because payment history is so important, establishing a reliable pattern is vital in rebuilding your credit. You may want to consider setting up automatic withdrawals in order to avoid missing payments in the future

3. Try to Avoid Closing Credit Card Accounts

BAD CREDIT REPAIR TIP #4: PAY DOWN EXISTING DEBT

The second most important factor in your credit score is how much credit you are using.
For example, if you have a total credit availability of $10,000 and you are using $7,500 of it, your credit utilization is 75%. Using too much of your available credit can count against you.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your credit utilization below 30%. Evaluate your expenses and cut back. Use that saved money to reduce your debt so that it falls below that 30%

BAD CREDIT REPAIR TIP #5: USE A SECURED CREDIT CARD

A secured credit card can help you build a payment history if your poor credit stops you from qualifying for a "regular" credit card. A secured credit card requires you to keep money in a linked savings account as collateral. Because the money is already there, it is easier to get approval as well as pay your bill on time. These payments will be reported to the bureaus every month, so it will make a big difference in showing that you pay regularly and on time.Keep in mind that a credit card is not an excuse to spend more money. Keep a tight rein on your spending and don't spend money that you don't have. If you are unable to keep your spending habits under control, a credit card may not be a good choice.

BAD CREDIT REPAIR TIP #6: GET AN INSTALLMENT LOAN

Once you are on your way to improving your payment history, you can try to obtain other loans. An installment loan has a set term and a set payment. Auto loans and mortgages are installment loans.It is important to be careful with this step. Too many loans can damage your score. Plan your credit applications carefully. Best practice is to start with a small installment loan, like a car loan. Jake Sweeney Smart Credit specializes in customers with poor credit. We will work with you to find a car that is in your price range. This type of loan will show diversity in your account types and help boost your credit score.