If you have seen (or heard) the recent commercials about getting a free credit report, then you know it’s important to have good credit and to monitor your credit line. This is the only permanent record that you need ever be worried about. Having a negative credit report can affect your borrowing ability, your interest rates, and even your employment.

Fortunately, a negative credit report is not permanent and thus can be made better. After seven years, the majority of the undesirable contents of a negative credit report will automatically be removed.

Even though financial mistakes that damage your credit report can be fixed, it will require seven years. In order to avoid waiting seven years to have better credit, you need to take good care of your credit history now.

Your credit history will be negatively impacted by late payments on rotating credit and loans. For that reason, paying such debts in a timely manner is very important. Having proof that you have been able to pay bills on time for one entire year is important when you meet a lender to borrow money. Some people are not organized and thus have a hard time making on time payments. If this is the case for you, be sure to pay off your bills as soon as possible.

Some credit card companies and retails stores that distribute credit cards will allow you to make a special payment arrangement with them if you are unable to pay off the debt that you have incurred. This could be a wise decision, but it will put a negative mark on your credit history. This effect will only be short term, though.

Filing for bankruptcy causes serious negative repercussions to your credit history. Doing so will remain a part of your credit history for more than the standard seven years.

When lenders are trying to decide whether or not you can be trusted to pay back the money you wish to borrow, they will judge you by your credit history. Bankruptcies filed under chapter 13 stay on your credit history for seven years, much like other negative information. If you file for chapter 7 bankruptcy and thus do not have to pay back debts you have racked up, that information will remain a part of your credit history for ten years.

Loans are often offered to people with a negative credit history at interest rates three or four percent higher than normal. The financial decisions you make now can potentially affect you for the next seven or even ten years, so make sure that you take care when it comes to your finances.