If you’re trying to raise your credit score and want results as soon as possible, you’re not alone. Many people work to improve their credit to qualify for better rates on car loans, mortgages, or personal loans. The good news is that you don’t need complicated techniques to see progress. With a few focused steps, you can start moving your credit in the right direction, sometimes faster than you think.

This guide breaks down practical ways to strengthen your credit, along with how Tennessee Title Loans, Inc. can help you stay afloat financially while you rebuild.

What Is Considered a Good Credit Score?

According to the FICO® Score system:

• Poor: Below 580
• Fair: 580–669
• Good: 670–739
• Very Good: 740–799
• Excellent: 800+

Reaching the “good” credit range can open doors to better loan terms, lower interest rates, and easier approvals. Learn more about your FICO score so you can correct it.

5 Proven Ways to Improve Your Credit Score Quickly

Are you wondering what is a good strategy is if you want to improve your credit score? Below, we have outlined five methods for increasing your credit score quickly. With our simple and effective tips, you can even learn how to raise your credit score 200 points in 30 days.

The following are five strategies for increasing your credit score quickly:

1. Dispute Errors On Your Credit Report

Just one mistake on your report can bring down your score. Disputing them helps you quickly boost your credit rating without much extra effort.

You're entitled to free reports from each major credit bureau every week. Always request them and then check for mistakes, like late payments marked even though you paid on time or someone else's activity mixed with yours.

On top of that, browse for negative items that are too old to remain listed. Typically, foreclosures, collections accounts, and bankruptcies should only be listed for seven years. Getting these negative listings on your credit history removed is an easy way to increase your credit score.

2. Make Payments On Time

The main influence on your FICO credit score is your payment history, which accounts for 35% of your score. Consistently making payments on time can help your credit score, whereas failing to make payments within 30 days can bring your score down.

Having a long history of making payments on time for your home loan, credit card debt, or student loans can continually increase your credit score. To accomplish this, make sure you are budgeting properly to always make payments on time.

Write down the due dates of your debts every month and how much you owe. Budget for these debts and continue to make payments on time to gradually increase your credit score. You can even try to pay more than your minimum payments to eliminate high interest-rate debt.

3. Improve Your Credit Mix

Your credit mix accounts for 10% of your FICO credit score. This means how many different types of credit accounts you have open. While you may think having only a few debts will increase your credit score, it can actually cap its ceiling. Having multiple different types of credit accounts that you always pay on time can increase your credit score.

An example of a healthy credit mix could include a car loan, home loan, student loan, and credit card debt. If you only have a home loan, open up new credit accounts to help with your credit mix.

It’s important to note that opening multiple credit accounts at the same time can have a negative credit impact. Open these accounts gradually every couple of weeks or months.

4. Improve Your Credit Utilization

Your credit utilization ratio accounts for 30% of your credit score. It refers to the percentage of the credit available to you that you’re using. If you’re constantly reaching your credit card limit every month, you likely have too high of a credit utilization ratio and could benefit from capping your spending.

Your goal should be to use less than 30% of your available limits. For example, if you have a monthly credit limit of $20,000, make sure you spend less than $6,000. However, you need to make sure you utilize some of your credit, as that can help your credit utilization and establish a positive payment history.

5. Keep Old Credit Accounts Open

While paying off high-interest debt can help with your credit score, closing accounts can have a negative credit impact. This is because these accounts have your payment history attached to them. Paying off an account and closing it will get rid of your positive payment history, lowering your credit score in the process.

For example, let’s say you’ve been paying off a car loan for five years. You’ve always made your payments and are about to pay it off entirely. Keep the account open to benefit from five years of positive payment history.

Need Emergency Cash While You’re Rebuilding Credit?

Improving your credit takes time, and unexpected expenses can show up at the worst moment. When that happens, Tennessee Title Loans, Inc. offers options to help you get the money you need, regardless of your credit history.

Bad Credit? You Still Have Options

We offer loans designed for people who may not qualify elsewhere. Since we don’t use hard credit checks, applying won’t impact your score.

If you want to explore loan options for people with less-than-perfect credit, you can also review our blog on loans for bad credit.

Loan Options for Bad Credit in Tennessee

1. Title loans

   • You can borrow $300 to $2,500 by using your lien-free car title as collateral. The loan amount depends on the value of your vehicle (the more it's worth, the more you can borrow). They're made for relatively minor emergencies and are incredibly easy to apply for. You need the following required items: a driver's license, a lien-free vehicle title, proof of income, and your vehicle. We don't keep in your vehicle, so you won't need to worry about arranging other transport needs while your loan is active.

2. Payday loans

   • These are the classic low-value, short-term loans, letting you borrow as little as $100 to $400. Again, you can have bad credit and won't need to endure mountains of paperwork to be approved. All you need for a payday loan is a state-issued identification, your most recent pay stub, and a blank check from an active checking account open in your name.

3. Flex loans (a.k.a., line of credit loan)

   • You can borrow up to $4,000, making them an option for more substantial emergencies like roof repairs or vehicle breakdowns. Similarly to title loans, you'll need your vehicle, driver's license (or another form of state-issued identification), proof of income, and your vehicle's lien-free title to qualify. Flex loans provide "on demand" money, letting you draw up to the maximum amount for a predetermined duration and only pay interest on the amount you withdraw. As soon as you repay it, the amount becomes available for you to re-borrow.

Each of these loans can help you get emergency cash fast during an emergency. You can apply online, get approved in person at a Tennessee store location in less than 30 minutes, and receive your cash within one business day.

Apply for a Title Loan Today — No Credit Check Needed

While you're working toward better credit, emergencies don’t wait. Tennessee Title Loans, Inc. offers fast, straightforward options to help you cover urgent expenses with same-day approval.

If you're ready to get started, fill out our online form or call your nearest Tennessee location. Our team will guide you through every step.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.