• Gigan@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    30
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    9 months ago

    it is better for your credit score to carry a low balance on your credit accounts than no balance

    That’s a myth that credit providers like to persist because it tricks people into paying interest. Pay off your credit card every month, don’t carry a balance, and use less than 30% of your available credit. That’s what’s best for your credit score.

    Please don’t spread that myth. You’re literally helping people fall for the trap you’re complaining about.

    • AllonzeeLV@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      8
      ·
      edit-2
      9 months ago

      https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-a-good-credit-utilization-ratio/

      "Why you shouldn’t go as low as a 0% credit utilization rate

      If your CUR is 0%, it shows lenders and credit card issuers that you aren’t making any purchases on your credit card. Remember, it’s important to use your card.

      “When a credit card account is reported with a zero balance, some scoring models will look at a zero balance as if the card is not being used,” Droske says. “Maybe it’s in your drawer at home, or, for whatever reason, you aren’t using it at that point. Not using it at all is not as good as using it in very small, controlled ways.”

      While a 0% utilization is certainly better than having a high CUR, it’s not as good as something in the single digits. Depending on the scoring model used, some experts recommend aiming to keep your credit utilization rate at 10% (or below) as a healthy goal to get the best credit score."

      It’s not a myth. I keep a 0 debt load because I don’t want to be bothered playing their infantile game for another 20-30 points, but a low balance increases your score a little over a 0 balance.

      I despise capitalism, and I know my enemy well. Credit utilization matters beyond full or no utilization. This is how credit scores work.

      • dondelelcaro@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        15
        ·
        9 months ago

        You can have debt utilization while still paying off the full statement balance each month and not being charged interest. I always have a balance, but I rarely carry the balance beyond the statement due date and interest free grace period. (I just have new charges that make the balance non zero.)

      • Gigan@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        7
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        9 months ago

        Your source does not seem very definitive.

        Depending on the scoring model used, some experts recommend aiming to keep your credit utilization rate at 10% (or below) as a healthy goal to get the best credit score.”

        But even if carrying a single digit CUR is the optimal way to maximize your credit score, paying off your cards is going to be the best advice for 99% of people.

        And even Experian, the credit reporting agency says carrying a balance helps your score is a myth.

        • AllonzeeLV@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          arrow-down
          4
          ·
          edit-2
          9 months ago

          paying off your cards is going to be the best advice for 99% of people

          No duh, this isn’t asking for financial advice though. This post was about what maximizes your credit score.

          Two entirely different things.

          Also, you linked to an ad for what experian wants to sell you. The credit agencies have proven time and time again they are the last source of information you want to use regarding how they generate credit scores, when they aren’t proving they can’t be trusted with your data and should be dissolved by government for their constant data breaches it’s almost impossible to opt out from while still participating in society.

          “Carrying a credit card balance will not benefit your credit score, but enrolling in Experian Boost®ø has helped many people increase FICO® Scores based on their Experian credit reports, and a free credit score from Experian can help you track progress toward score improvement.”

          -Your source. A sales pitch is never a valid source, unless it’s to prove someone tried to sell you something.