 TITLE: How to Calculate an Affordable Car Payment CONTENT: Consider Improving Your Credit Before Applying\n----------------------------------------------\nIf you're financing your new car and think you might be able to get a lower interest rate with a higher credit score, consider working on your score for a few months before making a purchase.\nThe best way to improve your credit score is to make all your debt payments on time, as this is the biggest factor credit scoring models consider when calculating your score. Also pay close attention to your credit utilization, or amount of available credit you're using, which is the second-largest factor in your credit score. Be on the lookout for any inaccurate information that might appear in your credit reports. If you find something in your reports that shouldn't be there, file a dispute with one or more of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) to see if you can get the information removed from your report.\nConsider getting a free copy of your credit reports and credit scores from Experian to understand what a lender will see when they consider you for new credit.\nFinancing a car can get complicated, so determining how much you can put toward a monthly payment before going into a dealership will help you make sure you're getting a car you can afford. END