 TITLE: Where Can I Get a Small Loan With Bad Credit? CONTENT: How to Improve Your Credit\n--------------------------\nIf you can wait to borrow money, you could first focus on rebuilding your credit to increase the chances of getting approved for a loan with a low rate. While you can't erase negative marks that are part of your credit history, there are a few steps you can take to improve your credit:\n*   **Pay down credit card debt.** While rebuilding credit can take time, one of the few things you can do that could quickly improve your credit scores is to pay down credit card debt. The ratio of a card's balance to its credit limit—also known as its utilization rate—is an important scoring factor. A lower utilization rate is better for your credit scores.\n*   **Make future payments on time.** Having a history of on-time payments is one of the most important scoring factors. If you have trouble affording all your bills, a hardship option from a creditor may allow you to skip a payment without hurting your credit.\n*   **Add alternative data to your credit reports.** Utility and cellphone bills generally don't appear on credit reports, but they can help your credit scores when they do. You can sign up for Experian Boost™† and get credit for your on-time phone and utility bill payments.\nAlso, be mindful of how many applications you submit while trying to get a small loan. Each application could result in a hard inquiry, which can hurt your credit a little and remain on your credit report for two years. Some lenders offer a prequalification that will let you know if you're likely to get a loan and only requires a soft inquiry, which doesn't impact your credit. END