Obtaining your credit report and credit score before you apply for a credit card could get you a better interest rate.This chapter is all about credit reports and credit scores. It may sound boring and you may be inclined to skip it, but following the steps outlined here could save you some money. We'll show you how to get your free credit report annually, how to interpret the report, how to correct mistakes that you might find, and what your credit score is and how you can improve it.What can you expect to learn from this chapter:What is a credit score? We define it and show you how the it's calculated. Plus, we've got a calculator to help you estimate yours.Checking your credit report Thanks to a new federal law, everyone is entitled to a free credit report each year. Here's how to get yours.How to read a credit report There are an awful lot of numbers and names on a credit report. This step-by-step guide to reading the report will help you through it.Fixing mistakes on your credit report Correcting your credit report isn't difficult to do; you just have to know what steps to take.<< Back to the Credit Card Basics table of contents.advertisementRelated Links:Save at the pump with gas rewards cardTraveling without an EMV credit card6 hidden credit card perksRelated Articles:Who inherits card debt?Credit card ratesBusiness vs. personal card?
Obtaining your credit report and credit score before you apply for a credit card could get you a better interest rate.
This chapter is all about credit reports and credit scores. It may sound boring and you may be inclined to skip it, but following the steps outlined here could save you some money. We'll show you how to get your free credit report annually, how to interpret the report, how to correct mistakes that you might find, and what your credit score is and how you can improve it.
<< Back to the Credit Card Basics table of contents.
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A little research could save you BIG on interest.