If you had kept a record of who you owed money to then perhaps your debt could have been avoided. But now it is time to go into damage control mode and repair your credit. The following advice is easy to follow and can help you repair your credit score.

Getting home finance can be quite tough when your credit rating is not good. FHA loans are good options in these circumstances, because the federal government guarantees them. Even if the applicant does not have money for closing costs or a down payment, an FHA loan is workable.

If you have a poor credit history and can’t qualify for a credit card, get a secured card. Most people are able to get this type of card, but you will have to load it up with a prepaid amount of money, as a guarantee that you can pay any charges that you make. If you get a new card and use it responsibly, it will help to improve your credit score.

Getting a traditional home loan can be difficult, if not impossible, with imperfect credit. Federally guaranteed loans (FHA loans) may be an option. Some FHA loans even cover a down payment or your closing costs.

Start by paying off credit cards with accounts 50% over your limit. You can concentrate on another card once these accounts are lowered to under half of your limit. If you let your balances get too high, your credit rating will drop significantly. You can either spread your debt out by transferring some of the balance to low interest cards, or better yet, pay off as much as you can.

If you make a decent income, consider an installment account when you want to give your credit score a boost. There is a minimum amount each month that you will have to pay, so be sure not to get in over your head. You can quickly improve your score by successfully managing these accounts.

If someone promises you to improve your score by changing your factual history, this is a scam. This information can stay on your record for about seven years. If there is incorrect, negative information, you can get it removed.

If you have to improve your credit, make a solid plan and follow it. You have to stay focused and committed if you want to make concrete changes to your financial situation. If you don’t need something, don’t buy it. Ask yourself whether every purchase is both affordable and necessary, and only buy if the answer to both questions is “yes”.

As you work toward repairing your credit score, you should be willing to cooperate and work with your creditors. Maintaining contact shows your good faith and can help you minimize further debt. It is perfectly appropriate to call and request an adjustment to your interest rate or to push back a payment date if needed.

You should have noticed that the preceding tips have a common theme–they are mostly based on common sense. However, if you implement the advice you have just been given, you can attain your goal of having a respectable credit rating once again.

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