Posts Tagged :

credit score

What is a good credit score in New Zealand?

What is a good credit score in New Zealand? Your credit score, which is sometimes referred to as your credit rating, can range from 0 to either 1,000 or 1,200 depending on the credit bureau calculating it. In all cases, the higher the score, the better. To make it easier to visualise, we’ve provided the table below to help you understand what constitutes a good credit rating in New Zealand – bureau by bureau. If you want to see how…

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How to find the best home loan for your needs

Of course you want a home loan with low interest rates, minimal fees and an offset account that lets you deduct 100% of the balance from the amount owed. But other than that, the definition of the “best” loan varies based on your personal circumstances. Ready to apply? Check out our offers page for a range of home loan offers to suit your needs. See offers The basics As described in the intro, there are three basic things all hopeful…

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Everything you need to know about online home loan calculators

Online home loan calculators can be among the most valuable tools you’ll find as you seek to maximise your borrowing capacity, nab the best deal and work out the most cost effective way to pay the darn thing off.  What is a home loan calculator? “Home loan calculator” is actually a catch-all term that applies to an entire category of calculators that each has its own function.  For example, one type of calculator will estimate how much you can borrow,…

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Got a Christmas debt hangover? We’ve got tips to help

The post-Christmas season can be a tough one, and our data shows Kiwis are more likely to let their credit bills languish unpaid at this time of the year compared to any other. If you’re anything like the average New Zealander, you’re probably feeling the effects of spending up large in the lead-up to the festive season and in the wake of Boxing Day sales. Usually around 6.4% of credit card accounts go past due without being paid, but in the January…

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Should you consolidate your debts? We weigh up the pros and cons

Debt in New Zealand has been slowly increasing over the past few decades, and household debt is higher than it’s ever been in 2018. If you have a lot of debt, you may be considering debt consolidation, which has its benefits – as long as you’re aware of the risks. Pros of consolidating your debt If you pursue debt consolidation, you’ll be able to combine all of your debts into one loan, giving you just one payment to make each…

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5 hobbies you don’t have to spend a fortune on

Everyone wants to go fishing without spending money, right? But how do you manage that? You need fishing rods and tackle, a boat (or a lucky spot on the coast) and bait. If you’re new to the game, you’ll have to invest in the equipment, and that expense can really add up. Taking up a new hobby on a budget is possible, but it requires forethought. We all want to try new things (golfing, fishing, off-roading) but don’t have the…

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Why did my credit score change?

Due to the amount of information that is used to calculate your credit score, it’s easy to see how your score can fluctuate. Still, if you don’t believe much has altered in your financial habits and your credit score still has changed, it can be confusing. Here are a few common reasons why credit scores change: You applied for a new loan or credit card Any new applications you make for credit will directly affect your credit score. Keep in…

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How does my credit score affect mortgages and other loans?

The majority of purchases we make in our lifetime are affordable enough for us to either buy outright or save towards over time. This is rarely the case for high-value assets such as houses, cars and other expensive items. New Zealand’s residential property prices in April 2018 jumped 7.6 per cent over the past year to $678,856. Buying a vehicle is cheaper but still a considerable expense nonetheless. Even renting an apartment comes with significant upfront costs, such as agency…

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Where can I get my credit report?

Keeping tabs on your credit score could be crucial if you have hopes of funding some of life’s biggest purchases, such as a house or car. But what about your credit report? If you’re not sure of the difference, don’t fret, as we’re about to give you a crash course on credit scores and credit reports, including how you can get your hands on them both (for free). Your report contains all the information that lenders have regarding your past…

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How do I know if I have a bad credit score?

Is 600 a bad credit rating? How about 500? Or 400? Without context, calculating your creditworthiness based on your score alone can be difficult. Fortunately, we’re here to help you better understand your credit rating, particularly if you suspect you have a bad score. The good, the bad and the ugly Your credit score at Credit Simple ranges from 0 to 1,000 – and the closer you get to zero, the uglier your rating looks to lenders. But at which…

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