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

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
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