When it comes to making financial decisions in the United States of America, there is nothing more important than keeping your credit score at a good level. It seems like your credit score is inevitably tied with your identity in the United States. If you need funds to go to college, apply for a mortgage so that you can own your own home, lease an apartment long term, or even apply for a job, you are going to need to maintain a good credit score.
Of course, it is hard to maintain a decent credit score if you do not have instant access to it. So what are the easiest steps to keep tabs of your credit score from the comfort of your own home? Here are some of the ways.
Credit Card Statements
The good thing about most credit card statements nowadays is the banks that issue them actually provide free credit scores now. This is of course something that they use to their advantage because they want their clients to maintain a decent credit score so that they can apply for more credit with the institution. It all just works out as more revenue for the bank.
The easiest way to get your credit score, therefore, is just to wait for your monthly credit card statement. If you are not sure if this is something that your financial institution offers, try to give them a quick call to find out.
Loan Statements
Just like credit card statements, if you have any kind of loan the servicer and provider of that loan will most likely have a way for you to check your credit score right after you apply for credit. Student loan company Sallie Mae, for example, offers a monthly credit report to their borrowers.
Just like credit card companies, this is something that works to their advantage because if their customers are aware that they have an improved credit score, they will be more comfortable in applying for a new loan with the company. Companies like Zolve which offer student loans and credit cards can also help you with your credit history.
Purchase Credit Scores Online
If your lender does not offer free credit scores and you really need to check what your current credit score is immediate, you can just purchase your credit scores online through FICO.
For a lot of websites that you can turn to, you can actually have a free credit score check each year. Try to make sure that you find out if these companies have incentives like this so that you can take advantage of the free yearly credit check. Of course, credit scores are not that expensive to buy anyway so it will work out fine whatever way you go about it.
Free Credit Score Monitoring Sites
If you have a monthly subscription fee for a credit-monitoring service, you are most likely given the perk of being able to check your credit score with them on a fairly regular basis. It is pretty easy to understand why most credit building companies offer this, it allows them to make sure that the customers know that their tips and their services are actually working. The only way they can do that is if they offer a streamlined way for their clients to check their credit score. If you are signed up to services like Credit Karma, make sure you take advantage of these perks.
Of course, there are a lot of credit score API solutions available in the market as well that connect directly to the three major credit bureaus. Find the right service and you will be able to monitor and build your credit and overall financial well-being immediately!