Hi everyone and welcome back to Money Girls Quick and Dirty Tips for a richer life.

I'm Laura Adams.

Today's show is about eight of the fastest ways to increase your credit score.

Credit scores.

They're like report cards for grown-ups.

It's a three-digit grade you get on a scale that ranges from 300 to 850.

Your score indicates your credit worthiness to potential lenders, banks, landlords, insurance companies, and even to some employers.

I'm sure you know the higher your score, the better.

You can get your credit report from each of the three major reporting agencies, Equifax, Experianian and TransUnion for free once a year at

annual Credit Report.com. But credit reports don't include your actual credit score. You usually

have to pay for those.

However, I recently joined CreditCarma at credit karma.com

where you can actually get it for free.

Creditors establish their own guidelines and break points for doling out credit, but here's what credit scores

can mean for your personal finances.

The credit score in the range of 300 to 580 is a low score.

You'll be denied credit or will only be approved for the very highest most costly interest rates

A score in the range of 581 to 650 you may qualify for credit but at high rates.

From 651 to 710, you'll qualify for credit at moderate interest rates.

From 711 to 750, you'll qualify for credit at competitive interest rates.

And a score of 751 and up is very good.

You'll get the most competitive, lowest interest rates on the market.

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