It’s a free service your bank or credit card company provides to show you your credit score. Think of it like a report card for how you handle borrowed money. You can usually find it by logging into your bank’s website or mobile app. It’s often on your account dashboard or in a section called “financial tools” or “credit health.“ It’s a super easy way to keep an eye on your score without having to pay for it or hurt your score by checking.

This is a classic “chicken or the egg” question, but here’s a simple strategy. First, build a small emergency fund—aim for $1,000. This is your cushion for surprise baby costs or a broken appliance. Next, focus on paying off high-interest credit card debt. That debt grows fast and wastes your money on interest. Once that’s under control, you can split your efforts between saving more for medical bills and baby supplies and paying down other debts. The goal is to lower your monthly bills before your new monthly baby expenses arrive.

The best ways to build a good score are simple, steady habits. Always pay every bill on time, every single month. Try to keep your credit card balances low compared to your limits. Only apply for new credit when you really need it. Let your older accounts stay open to show a long history. Doing these things consistently over time is the surest path to a strong, healthy credit score.

You can find out your score in a few easy ways. Many banks and credit card companies now offer free credit score access right in your online account. You can also use trusted websites like AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major bureaus once a year. Some services provide your score for free as part of their monitoring. It’s your information, so you have a right to see it!