Keep your credit in good standing

You have a basic understanding of what credit is and why you need it. Now it's up to you to build your credit and keep it in good standing.¹ Here are some tips:

1. Pay your bills on time. Make sure you know when all your bills are due, and have a process to pay them before they're due to avoid late fees. Also make sure you have enough money in your account to cover all your bills. It's an important factor in establishing and keeping good credit.
2. Be proactive. Information is at your fingertips. Articles abound regarding methods for improving your credit. And familiarize yourself with your credit report. If you see any errors, report them. The credit bureaus must investigate and correct anything that isn't accurate. Get your report online from www.annualcreditreport.com.
3. Use credit wisely. A basic budget will show you where your money is going. By creating a budget, you can track your outstanding debt and work towards paying it off.
4. Notify creditors when you move. It's important that you inform all your creditors of your new address.