How Mei Improved Her Credit Score From 520 to 750 in a Year

How Mei Improved Her Credit Score From 520 to 750 in a Year

Young Asian Australian woman reviewing her credit report with a smile on her laptop screen.

Mei, a 32-year-old high school teacher from Brisbane, was shocked when her car loan application was declined due to a “low credit score.” With no major defaults or missed payments (so she thought), she dug deeper — and began a journey that would raise her score from 520 to 750 in just 12 months.

🔍 Step 1: Getting the Full Picture

Mei signed up for a free credit report from Equifax and discovered:

  • 2 late payments on a store card (60+ days)
  • Credit file cluttered with multiple inquiries
  • Short account history — most under 1 year

📊 Step 2: Targeted Repair Strategy

  • Closed unused credit cards to reduce unnecessary inquiries
  • Paid all accounts 5 days before due date — set calendar reminders
  • Asked her telco provider to remove one old late mark (which they agreed to)

💡 Step 3: Building Positive Credit History

Mei applied for a $1,000 limit low-rate credit card and:

  • Kept usage under 15%
  • Paid in full every month
  • Used it for regular expenses like groceries and Netflix

📈 Step 4: Monthly Monitoring

She used ClearScore and WeMoney to track score changes and get tips. Each month, her progress looked better — and her confidence grew.

🎉 12 Months Later…

Mei’s credit score hit 750 — officially “excellent.” She reapplied for the car loan and was approved with a lower interest rate. Her habits also helped her qualify for a cashback credit card.

🛠️ Tools Mei Used (Affiliate Opportunities)

  • Equifax: Official credit file + report errors
  • ClearScore: Ongoing score tracking
  • WeMoney: Account health + repayment alerts

📚 What You Can Learn From Mei

  • Every point counts — and every small habit adds up
  • Know your credit file before lenders do
  • Automate, monitor, and question everything on your report

Next story: Jess & Tom’s Saving Challenge: $20K in 12 Months for a Wedding

 

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