By Aubrey Clark

If your credit is not as good as it should be, there is good news. You can take steps right now to fix it. This is not a scam nor is it something that will cost you money. Rather, hard working common sense can turn your bottom line from a bright red negative into something more positive.

There are many ways to improve your credit score, but they do take hard work. If you are ready to see some of those improvements, simply dive in and start using the following tips. Some of these are ways you may not have known before that could give your credit score the boost it needs.

* You want to pay off your balance because you know that a low balance on your credit report is going to give it a boost. The problem is, if you wait until the due date to pay it, chances are not good that it will be recorded as a zero on your credit report. Rather, realize that the score is calculated based on the balance on the statement date instead.

* Ask your credit card company to drop that one bad remark listed. For example, if you have been a great customer for a few years, and you just happen to forget to make your payment on time, contact the lender and ask for a good will deletion. Simply ask them to report it on time or to remove that poor mark from your statement. You may be surprised to learn that they will do so.

* You have a collector calling you. You know you owe the money but you want a good deal. Get one that not only benefits you but also your credit score. Ask that if you make the settlement for the debt that they will remove the collection activity from your credit account. Do not pay anything until you get this in writing, but let them know you are willing to do so if they remove the account from your credit files.

* If you have debt and you want to pay less overall while also increasing your credit score, consider obtaining a balance transfer credit card. Move your higher interest rate debt to the new card and pay it off during the introductory period. At the same time, avoid charging or closing your current credit cards. They are working to help you to build a better debt to available credit ratio.

* Get the right credit card and use it, but use it wisely. For example, the Orchard Bank Classic MasterCard is available to those with any credit score. You can use it to make purchases at the gas station, for example and pay it off every month. That way, you are showing you can make payments on time. Do the same thing with the Capital One No Hassle Cash Rewards Credit Card and you may see a cash back payment for using the card, too.

The fact is lenders want your business. The only thing holding you back from paying off your debt and getting into the loans that are right for you is your credit score. The good news is you can work to build that score faster than you think.

Aubrey Clark is a writer and editor for DirectBanc.com, specializing in credit cards for fair credit and credit repair tutorials that help to increase credit scores.