Advantage Credit Counseling Service Puts Credit Into Perspective

Advantage Credit Counseling Service illustrates the value of credit scores. In an interactive video experience, the company provides a walkthrough, complete with a cuddly pink pig as the tour guide, of how to understand consumer credit.

In the video, Advantage talks about what factors go into determining one's credit score, different scoring systems and both positive and negative influences on an overall score. Perhaps most importantly, viewers of this video have the opportunity to gain a firm understanding of why maintaining a high credit score is important-how it impacts their lives.

Every bill-paying individual has credit, which is scored according to systems like FICO and VantageScore on a scale of 300-850. Aspects such as payment history, current debt, length of credit history, new credit and credit types all work in conjunction to determine one's credit score, with better records in each area resulting in a higher score. Scores falling below the 600s may be detrimental.

Credit scores are adversely affected by developing a track record of high debt and late payments for anything from parking tickets to delinquent credit card bills. Such missteps result in missed opportunities, like the ability to lease an apartment or buy a car. Receiving a loan also becomes problematic when faced with a lender who's looking at FICO scores.

Repairing a poor score or maintaining a strong one is luckily relatively easy to accomplish. Advantage recommends paying bills promptly and lowering debt balances. It is best to make use of different types of credit rather than having an overreliance on one variety, so a mix or revolving credit like credit cards and installment accounts like student loans benefits people the most. Checking on credit scores for free with major credit bureaus periodically also helps individuals to quickly identify and rectify problems that arise.

Advantage supports those who wish to get a better grasp on their finances. It maintains a dedication toward helping people understand and manage their credit. Along these lines, Advantage offers a proprietary Credit Report Review service, which enables individuals to work with credit counselors to examine and understand their credit report and provides insight on ways to improve their score. Additionally, clients of Advantage have access to debt management and bankruptcy credit counseling services, which help to eliminate pressing debts so individuals may start fresh.

Advantage Credit Counseling Service is a nonprofit debt and credit assistance organization headquartered in the South Side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1968, Advantage consistently endeavors to educate consumers about money management and debt solutions. Its mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families and help them take control over their lives by providing sound counsel. For more information about Advantage Credit Counseling Service's solutions or for in-depth statistics from the company's video, visit www.advantageccs.org.