Think about when you wanted to borrow something big from a friend, like their favorite video game for a whole month. If you’d always given their stu...
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Have you ever wanted to build a good credit score but felt stuck because you don’t have a credit card? There’s a clever trick you might not know a...
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Let’s talk about something really important: keeping your credit safe from people who want to trick you. When you’re working hard to build strong ...
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Let’s be real, your credit score can feel like a mysterious number that just sort of exists. You know it’s important for things like getting a car...
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Building good credit in your twenties and thirties is one of the smartest things you can do for your future. Think of your credit like a report card f...
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You might think you need a credit card to build credit, but that’s not true. Your credit score is like a report card for how you handle money, and t...
Read MoreLook for a service that reports to all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Check their fees—some charge a monthly or one-time fee. Make sure they report the types of bills you pay most often, like rent. Read reviews to see if other people have had success with them. Finally, choose one that is easy to use and has good customer service in case you have questions.
Don’t panic! This is totally normal. Your bank uses one specific company’s formula to calculate your score, but there are a few different formulas out there. They might also use slightly different information or update on a different day. The key thing is to watch the trend on the same tool. Is your score from your bank going up over time? That’s the real sign you’re doing things right, even if the number isn’t exactly the same everywhere.
You’re ready if you have a steady way to get money, like a part-time job, and a plan for your monthly expenses. Most importantly, you must be ready to pay the full bill on time every single month. If you think you might spend money you don’t have, wait a bit longer. It’s better to start when you feel confident about tracking your spending and making payments without missing them.
Phishing is when a scammer pretends to be your bank, credit card company, or even the government. They send fake emails, texts, or call you. Their goal is to trick you into giving out your Social Security number, account passwords, or credit card details. Remember, real companies will never call or email to urgently ask for this info. If you’re unsure, hang up and call the company back using the number on your official statement.
You should check it at least once a year. A great plan is to get one free report every four months, rotating between the three companies. This way, you can keep an eye on things all year long for free. Also, check it about three to six months before you plan to apply for a big loan, like for a car or house. This gives you plenty of time to fix any problems you find.
