Back to School With Your Credit

All winter long I look forward to the flexible freedom of summer. No schedules! But this time of year, when I must return to the thankless task of organizing my daughter's closet, tossing this and saving that and getting together all she needs for back to school, I quickly remember the value of having a schedule.

Put it on your calendar:

Schedule time to check your credit.
Have you taken some time off from paying attention to your credit? Whether you need to rebuild your credit or just continue keeping it in check, my number one rule is to be aware. So if you've recently taken a break, it's time to get back on track beginning with what's being reported about you. Contact Experian, Equifax and Trans Union for your credit reports and look them over carefully. Each should be reporting mostly the same information, but because they do not share information with each other you will want to review each one separately.

Schedule to use of one or two old credit cards to use this month and next month as well.
If you have not used a credit card in awhile, put it back into circulation. Schedule it in to your calendar making sure to mark down when the bill is due. Showing activity on your accounts will help your credit.

Schedule time to expand your credit
If you've closed accounts and/or have no credit cards, one way you can begin rebuilding your credit it by obtaining a store account with a savings account. There are many banks that have these cards, so shop around. Go for a card you'll actually use and with a good rate.

Schedule to make payments based on when you receive your paycheck
If you've been using your credit a lot and have high balances on credit cards, start making a plan to pay them down. As your balances lower your FICO score will rise.

Schedule it in to follow me on Huffington Post.
You need to stay aware of your credit. Follow me here to continue your credit education and to keep up to date.