Credit on the Mend: How to Keep Improving — Money Minute

It's no secret. A good credit score helps make it easier to buy or rent a home or finance a major purchase in your life

So if your credit score isn't up to par when it's time to get loans, cars or homes, you're costing yourself money

To get debt under control, you can request a rate reduction from your lender or transfer higher rate credit card debt to another lower rate card

A balance transfer or debt consolidation can simplify your life and put some breathing room in your budget

Whatever you do, don't close a credit card just to pay it off. This can actually lower your credit score

The best ways to raise your credit score is to pay bills and loans on time, every time

Stay within your credit limit and borrow or charge only what you can afford to pay back

You can also stay on top of it by checking your credit report regularly with all three credit bureaus

You get one free credit report annually, so stay on top of it. Maybe go a step further and get with a credit counselor

Having a debt management plan can help you reduce your credit card interest rates

consolidate your debt and pay off debt faster. It's never too late to start managing your debt better

It literally pays in the long run