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Read MoreWe have a strong preference for the current state of affairs. Even a problematic financial routine is familiar and requires less mental energy than creating and adhering to a new budget. This inertia keeps people trapped in cycles of spending and debt.
The FICO scoring model, the most widely used, calculates your score based on these five categories: Payment History (35%), Amounts Owed (30%), Length of Credit History (15%), Credit Mix (10%), and New Credit (10%).
The safest strategy is to let your credit mix develop naturally over time. As you financially recover and have a genuine need for a specific loan (e.g., an auto loan for a necessary car, a mortgage for a home), your mix will improve organically.
Use agencies approved by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) or the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA). Avoid debt settlement companies that charge high fees and make unrealistic promises.
It locks you into a higher cost of living. You become dependent on your current income level to maintain your lifestyle, making it difficult to take career risks, start a business, or weather a job loss without severe financial strain.