need help to improve credit rating

ally_55

Hi Everyone,
I am looking for advice on how to improve my credit rating, the reason being my long term partner has been asking when are we going to get married, but I keep avaiding the question as I know I have a poor credit rating and if we where to marry she would be tarred with the same brush.
I got into a financial mess some years ago 8 to be exact owing the bank £ 6,000, I defaulted on the loan due to a break up in my previous marriage and I had to bring up 3 children on my own, anyway I have got myself back on even footing and have been paying back the money what I can afford each month not missing a payment as its by direct debit. but I need to improve my credit rating I have thought of trying for one of the bad credit cards but not sure as I dont wish to be rejected, is there another way some please help.

Regards

Ally

niccatw

Hi Ally

Defaults usually come off your account after 6 years. Though they may have been added again if you are still paying. See if you can get a free trial with Experian and Credit Expert to see what's what. That'll help you know what to do to build your score back up.

And remember, you'll only pull down your OH's credit rating if you have a joint finances, i.e. a joint mortgage, bank account or card. There's no reason you can't get married and keep your finances completely seperate until you are in a position to be able or want to have joint finances.

As you've been paying it for a while, there should be no reason your OH would disagree that joint finances would be a sensible idea for a while.

If it's affording the wedding that you're worried about, then post up an SOA and the good people here will give you allsorts of ideas on how and where you can cut back to help you both save for a wedding.

Good luck - well done on your first post and welcome to the madness It quickly becomes addictive!

DarkConvict

You can only default on a debt once and they can't change the date of the default. Get your free credit report from equilfax/experian and see what your credit report looks like.

As above, even if married so long as you have no joint accounts it won't have any affect on their score, but obviously if you were to mortgage together, that would be a joint account. If your thinking of marriage i doubt they would mind and you are clearly dealing with the problem now.

niccatw

Thanks DC - I didn't realise they could only default you once on a debt. Thanks.