*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Credit Karma™. I find this information very important and am glad I can relay it to all of you. All my opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.*
Growing up who knew how important our credit scores would be someday?! As an adult, your credit score, calculated by credit rating companies based on your fiscal responsibility and earning to debt ratio, impacts almost all major areas of your life. Job potential, buying a house, buying a car, even student loans for education. Luckily my husband and I have both always been responsible with our credit and it shows on our credit reports, but when we were buying our home and looking into the best mortgage rates possible I thought about some of my friends in New York City racking up huge credit card bills they were not always able to pay on time. They, nor I, did not realize those actions could impact future big life opportunities. With a good credit score you are able to get better interest rates and save a ton of money down the road. Because credit cards and the type of lending our generation rely on, was sort of new when my parents were bringing us up, they never talked to us about the importance of maintaining a good credit score. Of course they encouraged us to be responsible with money, but it is different when you understand the long-term impacts of your behavior. I will be sure to teach my kids about it when the time comes.
In the meantime a great tool for assessing your needs, possibility and credit score is called Credit Karma™ and helps to put you in control of your credit data that’s out there. The daily credit monitoring used by this service is an added layer of protection against credit card fraud or identity theft to begin with. The service also matches consumers with the best financial services based on their own personal accounts for the most successful partnerships and credit approval. With the tools provided you can take control of your credit and finances, and the weekly credit score and report provided by the service are free.
Once you realize how important your credit score is in life you certainly work hard to maintain a pristine record, but for many it is overwhelming not knowing what that score is, or ways to improve it. The only way to really take control of your finances is to find out and make sure you are on the right course through a service like Credit Karma. When you are ready to purchase your dream house, get a new car, go back to school or apply for a new job, you might be happy to have all your ducks in a row.
There are many different things that can impact your credit score that you might not even be aware of, for example did you know that it looks bad on your credit score if you cancel a credit card? You would think that would look good, right? Or if you are shopping around to refinance and too many people request your credit score in a short amount of time, that sort of thing puts a dent in the number. It doesn’t seem fair that when your are trying to get credit, it can drive your score down, but that is just the way it works! Trust me, when those times come, you do not want to be surprised by a glitch in your credit report, and have to put those dreams on hold. Good Karma is always a good thing to have, and having Credit Karma on your side is the way to go!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Credit Karma™
I have great credit. I have never checked it myself or had a need to, but it was checked when I refinanced last summer.
I think it’s ridiculous that it hurts you to cancel a credit card. I don’t make the rules, but if I did…. I do know I have excellent credit and I’ve worked hard to have it.
I love Credit Karma. It’s an amazing site. I didn’t believe it was totally free until I signed up.
Hubby and I have been working hard to repair our credit and are so thankful for Credit Karma. Having bad credit is never fun, but can change
This looks like a great thing to look into. Thanks for the share.
Thankfully my husband and I both have great credit and it shows on the credit reports. Once you harm your credit it’s hard to get out of it but it can be done.
I have never used Credit Karma before. I honestly am not sure how my husband and I’s credit is, but I know it’s not bad. I’ve always wondered about it and should probably check it out. Thanks!
My husband and I have decent credit. Always looking for ways to get great credit – thanks for the info!
I have used credit karma before and like it for quick checkins on our credit.
I really need to get this. I’ve been working on rebuilding my credit for a few years now, and it would be nice to have this tool to help me achieve my goals.
Thanks for the info! I’ve heard of Credit Karma, but didn’t know much about it. I’ll have to look into it a bit more.
We signed up for this a few years ago and I’m glad we did. I like having the ability to check my credit at any time to make sure nothing looks fishy.
Credit Karma sounds wonderful! The daily monitoring for fraud has me sold. I like the added protection it offers.
I too have always thought it silly to be punished for closing a credit card account. But, yes, in today’s society, a good credit rating is very important.
I love this! What a great – free! – way to get help in an important and confusing aspect of our lives.
This is so important as you never know when you will be in the position to need credit. Sometimes life has a way of throwing you an unexpected curve ball.
Credit Karma sounds awesome!!! I love the protection!
I was so clueless to how credit worked when I went to college. This is a great program and great info!
Thankfully I realized the error of my ways very early on in regards to credit cards. My grandparents were very instrumental in guiding me in the right direction.
A tool I need right now for sure! It’s been awhile since i have checked to be honest.
There has to be a class for kids on this and a requirement to get your first credit card!