This month we observe Get Smart about Credit Day on October 17, which provides a perfect time to learn more about your personal finances and your credit. These tips can help you understand your credit situation and improve your credit smarts.
- A common misconception is that checking your credit report will lower your credit score. When you as a consumer pull a credit report using AnnualCreditReport.com,
the only source for free credit reports authorized by federal law, it is considered a soft pull and will not affect your credit score. - Your behaviors and financial responsibility can have an impact on your credit score. Your payment history is the biggest component of your credit score.
As such, paying bills on time can result in a higher credit score and lower interest rates. - Understanding your debt-to-income and debt-to-credit ratios will help you better understand your creditworthiness.
- Managing debt involves understanding how much debt you have and developing a strategy to reduce debt levels.