Credit scores are kind of like grades for grown-ups: You receive a number somewhere between 300-850 that determines interest rates for loans, how much you pay for car insurance and even whether you can get a job. Because so much factors on this three-digit number, it can be extremely intimidating to realize your credit score is less than perfect. If you’re ready to lift that number up a little higher, check out these four tips that will help you start building back up your credit score. 

1.       Check for Errors: Everyone makes mistakes and that includes the credit bureaus. If you don’t understand why your credit score is so low, and you believe you haven’t done anything to cause a drop in your FICO, then it’s time to get a credit report and start searching for errors. You can always stop by and FCU branch and get a free credit report analysis, where we show you what’s affecting your score and how to begin fixing it. If you do find errors, then immediately start the process for having them corrected.

2.       Pay Bills On Time: It might seem a little obvious, but having late payments can really hurt your credit score. Make sure you pay all your bills on time if you want to avoid having those bills go to collections. One great way to do this is to set up automatic payments so you never have to worry about those payments being missed. FCU’s Bill Payer service can help you organize all those automatic payments into one place; check out the Bill Payer tab in Online Banking to sign up!

3.       Don’t have a credit card? Get One: While you may pay bills on time and have little to no debt, if you’re lacking in revolving credit (credit cards), your credit score probably isn’t the greatest. Apply for a secured or credit-building unsecured card so you can start building your credit history. And don’t be fooled by misconceptions: You do NOT need to keep a balance on your card to gain credit, and you absolutely shouldn’t. Instead, pay the card off at the end of the month and watch your credit quickly improve.

4.       Don’t Max Out Credit Cards: Having a credit card can really improve your credit score, but as we explained in a previous article, how much room you have left to spend on that card is important. Never max out your credit cards and, in fact, try to maintain your balance at below 30% of your total credit line.

Have you struggled with a low credit score? How did you improve it? Let us know in the comments below!

There’s nothing so traumatizing as having your car break down on the side of the road – and imagining just how much the repairs are going to cost. Many of the most common car repairs could be prevented with the right maintenance. Whether you think these simple procedures can wait or that you just don’t have the spare change for them, if you find yourself shelling out large sums for engine repair or broken parts, you’ll wish you’d found the time.

Scheduled Maintenance: While most modern cars no longer need the same duties done to the common “tune-up,” it’s still important to follow your maintenance manual and bring the car in for regular inspections when it’s due. Whether that’s spark plug wires, coolant or even just a changed air filter, it’s important to have these things checked out when your manufacturer advises. If not, you could find yourself looking at a hefty replacement fee for other parts that aren’t as inexpensive to repair.

Oil Changes: Times have changed, and though most cars sold today don’t need to have the oil changed every 3,000 miles, you’ll probably still need to change out the oil every 5,000-10,000 miles, depending on your make and model. Dirty motor oil contains sediment which, over time, could clog up your engine and damage the more sensitive parts. Spending $30 for an oil change to prevent a potential $5,000 repair cost? Not a bad deal in the long run!

Tire Rotation: Front and back tires take very different amounts of wear and tear, so it’s vital to regularly rotate from front and back and side to side. This helps equalize tread wear and maximizes the life of your tires. Plus, regular tire rotation could keep you alert of when the tread of your tires are growing too low; avoiding what could have been a flat tire. While both scenarios leave you with buying a new tire, if you’re left on the side of the road, you could also be forced to pay for a tow truck and a loss of your time.

What do you think are the most important car maintenance tips? Let us know in the comments below!