Credit utilization, or credit utilization ratio, is the amount of debt you have compared to your total credit limit. Your credit utilization ratio is one of the most critical factors for credit scores because it accounts for 30% of your credit card usage.
Getting and maintaining good credit takes effort. Different factors, such as your credit utilization, can positively or negatively affect your credit score. It’s important to increase your financial literacy because you can learn how to manipulate credit scores. This article teaches how credit bureaus calculate a credit score and what credit card utilization is.
What Is Credit Utilization and How Does It Affect Credit?
Your credit score is a numerical reflection of your creditworthiness. The FICO score model is one of many credit scoring models used to calculate credit scores. A borrower’s FICO score depends on the calculation of five financial categories.
- Payment History (35%)
- Credit Utilization Ratio (30%)
- Length of Credit History (15%)
- New Credit Inquiries (10%)
- Credit Mix (10%)
You may receive a higher credit limit from your credit card issuer if you have a good credit rating or payment history. You may be inclined to use your higher credit limit to make high-cost purchases but be careful. Your credit can decrease if you max out your credit card account.
Lenders view borrowers with excessive debt as financial risks. High credit card balances can make it harder for you to qualify for a personal loan or lines of credit. Although it’s not bad to have multiple credit cards, using most of your available credit can harm your credit score. Paying more than the minimum can help you quickly pay down your credit card balance.
What Is a Good Credit Utilization Ratio?
According to the most commonly used of the credit scoring models, the FICO credit score, borrowers should keep their total credit utilization ratio below 30%. Using more than 30% of your available credit limits can make it hard for you to build credit and qualify for financial products.
Suppose you have two credit cards—one with a $2,000 credit limit and the second with $4,000. In that case, your total revolving credit is $6,000. Keep your credit card usage below $1,800 to maintain a low credit utilization rate.
How To Calculate Your Credit Utilization Rate
To calculate your credit utilization ratio, you need to know your total credit card debt and total credit card limits. If you have multiple credit cards, add up each card’s balance and credit limit. Divide your debt amount by your available credit, then multiply the answer by 100 to determine your percentage. If you prefer to avoid doing the calculation, you can use a credit utilization calculator online.
Suppose your total credit card debt is $3,000 and your credit limit is $6,500. When you divide these figures, you get 0.46. Multiply 0.46 by 100 to get your total credit utilization rate, which is 46%. This percentage is much higher than the recommended rate set by credit bureaus. A high credit utilization rate can negatively affect your credit and limit your financial opportunities.
Will a Credit Limit Increase Improve My Credit Utilization Ratio?
Your credit utilization ratio depends on your open and closed accounts, total debt, and credit limits. If your credit utilization ratio is too high, you can try increasing your available credit limit. A higher credit limit can help you get a low credit utilization ratio, improving your credit score!
If you successfully manage your credit account, your card issuer may reward you by increasing your credit limit. The increase can be substantial if you consistently make credit card payments on time and have a good credit score. This is why it is so important to accurately calculate your credit card payments. But you may still get more money to spend with a few late payments if your income has increased or your credit is good.
Suppose any of the following situations apply to you. In that case, you may not get approval for a credit increase at this moment.
- You have recently applied for a new loan or revolving line of credit
- You got a new job
- Your credit is low
- You have a lot of late payments
You can try increasing your credit line by calling customer service. Let an agent know you’re interested in increasing your credit line. If you do not get approval, don’t worry. There are alternative ways to get a good credit utilization ratio, such as paying down your existing credit card debt.
How to Quickly Pay Off Debt To Improve Credit Utilization Ratio?
Having debt is not always bad, as there is good and bad debt. Good debt has a long-lasting positive impact on your finances. A mortgage loan is a good debt because you are working towards owning real estate. According to Fox Business, the average mortgage payment for Americans is $2,612.1 However, credit card debt is bad debt because borrowers lose more than they gain.
If you want to improve your credit utilization ratio, the best method is to pay down your credit card balances. If you have a lot of credit card debt, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But you can quickly become debt free by increasing your income, paying more than the minimum, and decreasing your expenses!
Increase Your Income
Get better credit utilization by increasing your income. If you want to pay off your debt quickly, increasing your income is the best way. You can speed up the repayment process when you have more money to spend. Consider how much time you want to invest in a side hustle and what tasks you are capable of doing. You can sell your unused items online or through a yard sale. Use your vehicle to deliver groceries or takeout orders. Or sign up for apps that give you money instantly! The choice is yours to make.
Pay More Than the Minimum
Work on your credit utilization by paying more than your minimum amounts due to get rid of balances faster. Many credit borrowers pay the minimum each month due to the low cost of payments. However, you will end up paying more interest fees. Most creditors offer borrowers the ability to pay the complete billing statement, the minimum, or the minimum plus an additional amount.
Paying more than the minimum can help you pay down your card debt faster. Suppose your minimum payment is always $35, but you can afford an additional $40 monthly. In that case, you can significantly shorten your repayment schedule with $75 monthly payments!
Decrease Your Expenses
Improve your credit utilization by decreasing your expenses. Taking on a side hustle can be stressful if you already work a nine to five job. An easier way to increase your income is to decrease your monthly expenses. This way, you have more money available at the end of the month. Start by axing any unnecessary bills you can live without, such as video and audio streaming services. You can also start lowering your utility bills by making minor adjustments to your life. Try taking shorter showers, switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, and adjusting your thermostat when you’re away from home.
Comprehensive Guide to Managing Credit Security: Steps for Lost/Stolen Cards, Fraud Protection, and Dispute Resolution
| Category | Details | Action Steps | Contact Info | Preventative Measures | Follow-up Actions |
| Lost/Stolen Card | – Date and time noticed. – Last known location. – Recent transactions. | – Report immediately to issuer. – Request card cancellation. – Request a new card. | – Issuer’s 24/7 helpline. – Online banking portal. – Mobile app. | – Regularly monitor accounts. – Keep issuer contact handy. | – Review statements post-reporting. – Update autopayments with new card details. |
| Credit Fraud Protection | – Account details. – Regular transaction patterns. – Security features of card. | – Set up transaction alerts. – Use secure online payment methods. – Regularly update passwords. | – Issuer’s fraud department. – Credit bureaus for fraud alert. | – Use strong, unique passwords. – Avoid sharing card details. | – Regularly check credit report. – Stay informed about common fraud schemes. |
| Disputing Unauthorized Charges | – Date of charge. – Merchant details. – Charge amount. | – Contact issuer immediately. – Fill out dispute form if required. – Provide necessary documents. | – Issuer’s customer service. – Dispute resolution department. | – Keep receipts and transaction records. – Be vigilant about account activity. | – Monitor account for resolution. – Follow up with issuer if needed. |
FAQ: Credit Cards, Credit Scores, and Credit Utilization
Your available credit plays a significant role in determining your credit scores, primarily through the credit utilization ratio. You can calculate your credit utilization ratio by dividing the total balance you owe on your credit cards by your total available credit limits. Managing your spending and keeping your balances low in relation to your available credit can help maintain or improve your credit scores.
Credit cards offer convenience and security, eliminating the need to carry cash because you have an available credit limit to use. They also provide benefits like rewards, cashback, and travel points, and can help build a credit history, which is crucial for future loans and mortgages.
Risks include accruing high-interest debt if balances are not paid in full, potential for overspending due to credit availability, and the risk of credit damage from late payments or high credit utilization.
Consider your spending habits and financial goals. Look for cards with low interest rates if you plan to carry a balance, or those with rewards or cashback if you pay off monthly. Also, consider annual fees and any additional benefits like travel insurance.
Yes, paying your bill in full each month avoids interest charges, helps maintain a good credit score, and also works in favor of your credit utilization. It also prevents the accumulation of debt and helps in better financial management.
Many credit cards offer rewards or cashback programs, where you earn points or cash for purchases. These can be redeemed for merchandise, travel, gift cards, or statement credits, depending on the card’s program.
Use online banking and mobile apps provided by card issuers to track spending in real-time. Set up alerts for transactions and regularly review statements to monitor and manage your credit utilization effectively.
Contact your credit issuer to request a lower rate, especially if you have a good payment history and credit score. Comparing offers from other cards and mentioning them during negotiation can also be effective.
Cash advances allow you to borrow cash against your available credit. They typically come with higher interest rates than regular purchases and often incur additional fees, with interest accruing immediately.
Individuals who struggle with budgeting, have a history of overspending, or are unable to pay off balances each month should avoid using credit cards to prevent debt accumulation and credit damage. Furthermore, if you already have a high credit utilization, you may want to stay away from using credit cards.
Credit issuers set interest rates and credit limits based on factors like market conditions, the cardholder’s credit history, income, and credit score. Rates and limits can vary significantly between issuers and card types.
The best rewards programs depend on individual spending habits and preferences. Banks, credit unions, and financial institutions offer various programs, so it’s important to compare and find one that aligns with your spending patterns.
Common mistakes include only paying the minimum amount due, leading to higher interest costs and credit utilization, not monitoring spending, which can lead to debt, and not understanding the card’s terms, resulting in unexpected fees.
Pay balances in full each month, keep track of your spending and credit utilization, stay within your credit limit, and understand your card’s terms and fees. Regularly check your credit report and use rewards and benefits effectively.
Common fees include annual fees, late payment fees, cash advance fees, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees. Some cards also have fees for exceeding the credit limit or returned payments.
The average credit usage in the U.S. varies, but many adults have at least one credit card. According to USA Today, the average American credit card debt is $7,951.2 Usage patterns include regular spending, balance carrying, and utilizing rewards programs.
Revolving credit usage is regulated by laws like the Credit CARD Act of 2009, which protects consumers from unfair practices, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, governing the collection and use of credit information.
Responsible card usage can improve credit scores and provide financial flexibility. Furthermore, responsible borrowers may also receive a total credit limit increase on a semi-regular basis. However, misuse can lead to debt accumulation, high-interest costs, and negative impacts on credit scores and credit utilization.
Reviews on different revolving credit accounts can be found on financial websites, consumer forums, and financial blogs. These sources often provide detailed analyses of card features, benefits, and user experiences.
CreditNinja’s Thoughts on Your Credit Utilization Ratio and Available Credit Usage
If you want to build good financial habits, it’s essential to learn about credit utilization. A credit utilization ratio is one of the most critical factors for credit calculation. Maintaining a low credit utilization ratio can help you manage your debt and obtain a higher credit score!
An excellent credit score can help you qualify for better financial opportunities, such as quick cash loans with low rates or personal loans with CreditNinja. Good credit can also help you obtain more housing options and better rates on insurance.
Check out more information on credit cards, credit utilization, and overall finances in the CreditNinja dojo!
References:
1. Average monthly mortgage payment at near all-time high | Fox Business
2. What is the average credit card debt? | USA TODAY
3. What is a credit utilization rate and how to calculate yours | CNBC
