So you have bad credit but you also new to get a new car, perhaps a late model used car but at least something dependable that gets some decent gas mileage. But you already know you have bad credit, so you don't want to go to the dealership and face the embarrassment that will inevitably come back when the sales agent comes back to tell you that you were not approved for a loan, and all of a sudden he is looking at you like you are a second class citizen.
First of all, how bad is your credit? Do you even know? If you don't know your credit score as well as you know your cell phone number, there is your first problem. But there is no need to feel alone, since the vast majority of people do not know what their credit score is.
First determine why you think you have bad credit. Be honest with yourself. Do you view paying bills at the end of the month to be a major hassle, where you just throw up your hands and don't do it at all, in which case your bills are always late? If that is the case, there is little anyone can do to help, since the label of "late payer" is accurate. If that is the case, you need to kick yourself in the back side and just get it done every month, on time, and start turning that "late payer" label around.
Remember, the credit bureaus track your credit history, where the keyword here is "history". Yes, part of your history is late payments or maybe that loan you had big problems with a few years ago. That is part of your credit history and there is nothing you can do to change that. But history also reflects trends, and if your current trend reflects the fact that you are now making each and every bill payment on time, there are lenders who can and will take note of that and make their loan decisions accordingly.
You may also want to get a copy of your credit report. Get one from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, and when you receive them, go over them line by line and word for word. One thing most people don't know is that the majority of credit reports contain errors, and it is up to YOU to notify the credit bureaus that they are reporting inaccurate information. By law, they need to either prove the information or remove it, and this law is to your benefit. One of the keys here is that for negative information from years ago, if the creditor who reported it does not verify it as accurate, then the credit bureau needs to remove it. So your credit score may actually be higher than you think it is, after you get these errors corrected with the credit bureaus.
You can find lenders online who will approve a car loan even if you have bad credit. The interest rate they will charge is going to be higher than what a local lender would give you if you had good credit, but at least this will be a loan that can be approved and help to get your credit in good standing.
With literally hundreds of credit cards at your disposable, choosing the one that's right for your lifestyle can be a daunting task. You always want to ensure you get a credit card that meets your needs while offering the best rates and the biggest rewards. You can search dozens of local banks and lending institutions, scour the internet, or randomly select a credit card OR you can use our convenient online credit card comparison tool to find exactly the card that's best for you. Our credit card comparison tool will allow you to view credit card details side-by-side in an easy to understand cross grid. You can even select a card and approve online, in some cases being approved within minutes of submission! It truly is the smart way to shop for credit cards!
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