| Once you have good credit, you dont want to | | | | money in your budget for emergencies and hold |
| give it up. Instead of constantly obsessing over | | | | onto it. |
| credit, wouldnt it be nice to just do a few things | | | | Say no to credit increases |
| to ensure that your credit stays where it should | | | | Quite often, when a person has good established |
| be? There are four easy steps that every | | | | credit, credit card companies will send you credit |
| consumer can, and should take in order to keep | | | | line increases. This is a way to keep you as a |
| their credit in order. | | | | customer and to show that they recognize your |
| Pay in cash | | | | timely payments. Dont do it! If you have low or |
| Whenever you are making a big luxury purchase, | | | | no balances on your credit cards, then why do |
| whether it is a big screen TV or a new set of | | | | you need more credit? The more credit you |
| golf clubs, pay in cash. If you cant afford to pay | | | | have, the more you can spend, and the more |
| for it in cash, you cant afford to pay for it with | | | | debt you will go into. As previously stated, credit |
| credit either. If you want to make a luxury | | | | cards are not for luxury purchases! |
| purchase, save for it. Put away a little money | | | | Get a Financial Check-up |
| each month towards it. It will be a lot more | | | | Finally, when you want to make sure everything |
| rewarding when you know that you actually | | | | is alright with your health, you get a checkup. |
| worked for it. | | | | Your credit deserves the same type of attention. |
| Budget for emergencies | | | | Pull a copy of your credit report and check |
| When making a budget, people always try to | | | | everything. You might find that you have been |
| figure out exactly what they are going to spend. | | | | reported for something you shouldnt have, or |
| Unfortunately, many people do not consider things | | | | that someone has possibly stolen your identity. Or |
| like an unplanned co-payment for a visit to the | | | | you might find nothing wrong. Either way, it is |
| emergency room, or car problems. Little | | | | best to make sure things are OK, so your credit |
| emergencies like these can really add to your | | | | is not unknowingly being ruined. |
| debt if you dont plan for them. Always put aside | | | | |