Credit 101: What They Never Taught You in School

Let’s be real—most of us left high school knowing how to solve a quadratic equation, but never learned how to check a credit report or what a credit score even means. And yet, credit plays a major role in your everyday life—from getting approved for an apartment, to buying a car, to securing your dream home. So, let’s change that—starting right here.

🧠 What Is Credit?

Your credit is a reflection of your financial trustworthiness. When you borrow money (like using a credit card or taking out a loan), your lender reports how you handle that debt to the credit bureaus. Over time, these reports create a profile that lenders, landlords, and even employers may use to judge your responsibility.

📊 Credit Score Breakdown

Your credit score is a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 850, and it's calculated using five main factors:

1. Payment History (35%) – Do you pay on time?

2. Credit Utilization (30%) – How much of your credit are you using?

3. Length of Credit History (15%) – How long have your accounts been open?

4. Credit Mix (10%) – Do you have a mix of credit types (credit cards, loans, etc.)?

5. New Credit (10%) – Have you applied for new credit recently?

⚠️ Why Credit Matters

Bad credit can cost you—literally. It can lead to higher interest rates, security deposits, and even denied applications. But good credit can save you money, expand your opportunities, and help you build wealth.

🔐 Your Credit = Your Power

The good news? You’re not stuck. Credit can be rebuilt, repaired, and restored—and you don’t have to do it alone. At SecureRise Collective, we help everyday people take back control of their financial narrative.

Ready to start your credit journey?
👉 Join our community and get personalized help rebuilding your credit today.