Spring is a time when many people clean their homes from the chandeliers to the hardwood floors and everything in between. It's also a good time to clean up your credit. If you've been neglecting your credit, use the nesting spirit of spring cleaning to remove those cobwebs from your credit.
Stop credit card junk mail
Mail is likely one of the primary causes of clutter in your home. Cut down on the unnecessary mail in your home and make next year's spring cleaning a lot easier by opting out of credit card offers.
Clean up your credit report
If you haven't checked your credit report in awhile, there's a chance there could be come inaccuracies on there. The bad thing about inaccurate credit report information is that it can lower your credit score, making it harder for you to get new credit cards and loans. Since you're lawfully entitled to a free credit report, there's no excuse for not reviewing yours.
Take inventory of your credit cards
The more credit cards you have, the more billing statements you have coming to your home each month. That's more mail accumulating and more you have to get rid of during spring cleaning season. Take a good look at the number of credit cards you have and decide if they're all necessary. Before you close any of the cards, make sure it won't hurt your credit score.
Repair damaged credit
Do you have bad credit that needs to be fixed? Don't put it off. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can begin enjoying the benefits of better credit.
Rebuild a bad credit history
Making bad credit better happens in two general steps. First, repair what's wrong. Then, rebuild a more positive credit history. Rebuilding your credit involves getting rid of bad credit habits and replacing them with good ones - ones that improve your credit score.
Improve your credit score today
Spring cleaning can take a day or it can take a few days depending on the amount of clutter you have and the size of your living space. Improving your credit doesn't have to take that long. Something as simply as sending off a late paymetn can make your credit better.
Resolve collection accounts
Tired of debt collectors calling you. Stop the calls once and for all by paying off the debt. Not only will your evenings become more peaceful, your credit score will improve because you've taken care of a delinquent account. If debt collectors are contacting you about a debt that doesn't belong to you, a cease and desist letter is just the thing to get the calls to stop.
Follow up on lost or stolen credit cards
Losing a credit card (or having one stolen) is a scary situation. You never know whose dishonest hands your credit card might fall into. Don't let a missing card go unreported. Talk to your credit card company as soon as possible to prevent your liability for fraudulent charges.
Talk your way into lower interest rates
Tired of paying high finance charges on your credit cards and loans? Often, all it takes is a call to your credit card company to negotiate a lower interest rate. If at first you don't succeed, continue paying the account on time and try again in a few months.
Make your credit card payments
The sooner you make your credit card payment, the sooner you can get rid of sticky note reminders to make the payment. Making payments on time prevents late notices and phone calls and it protects your credit score.
