If you are thinking of getting a loan for a major purchase like a car or house, do you know if you are one of those "Qualified Buyers" you hear about in the commercials? Qualified buyers seem to have all the luck, getting amazingly low interest rates on loans. But the truth is there's nothing lucky about qualifying for the best interest rates. The people with the best credit scores get the best rates. So before you take out a loan for a major purchase, consider taking steps to raise your credit score. Here are three things you can do. First, get a copy of your credit report and correct any errors. You can get a credit report free once a year. Second, pay your bills early or on time. Your recent payment history is one of the most important things to a lender. Third, reduce your credit card debt. If your credit cards are maxed out, or close to it, your credit score will drop. For more information, take a free online education course by clicking on the workshops section.