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