Smart Credit Tips for High School and College Graduates

Feb 8, 2016 | College and Career Readiness, Self Help | 0 comments

Smart Credit Tips for High School and College Graduates

credi cardsWhether you’re a high school or college graduate, there is no time like now to start thinking about managing your financial future…check out the credit tips listed below:

 

  1. Credit cards are just like a loan – pay attention to your credit limit and pay what you owe.
  2. Use your smart phone to create a personalized budget, keep track of how much you spend, and establish bill paying reminders.
  3. Save your credit card receipts and check them against the monthly bill and bank statements…companies do make mistakes. If you find one, assertively pursue correcting the error. Remember, they have more money than you do, so they don’t need yours!
  4. Never lend your card to anyone.
  5. Charging more than what you can realistically repay damages your credit score as well as your mental well-being. Buying on the spur of the moment only brings you temporary happiness and is not really worth it in the long run, particularly when the bills become due.
  6. Pay your bills on time. Missed and/or late payments damage your FICO* credit score.

credit report

*FICO Score: A numerical assessment (300-850) of an individual’s credit worthiness used by lenders such as banks, credit unions, lending agencies, etc. to determine whether or not you are a person who pays his or her debts. A FICO score above 650 indicates that the individual has a very good credit history. People with scores below 620 will often find it substantially more difficult to obtain financing(loans) at a favorable interest rate.
Free Credit Report

 

GOOD NEWS: Federal law limits your liability for unauthorized charges to $50 per card.

 

* An acronym for Fair Isaac Corporation, creators of the FICO score.