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Rick On the Rocks

Lifestyle & Travel Dad Blog

Get Smart About Your Credit in 2017

Thank you Capital One for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own and were not directed by Capital One. To learn more about CreditWise from Capital One, visit: www.capitalone.com/creditwise

My grandfather used to tell me when I was a kid… “Be careful what you do today, because it might come back to haunt you tomorrow.” Man was he right! When I was in my twenties I messed up my credit REAL bad. Not paying on time, poor spending decisions. My younger years were a bit of a mess. Ever since then, I’ve been unsure of credit and how to improve it. I had to ask myself the question, “Do you want to get smart about your credit in 2017?”

CreditWise from Capital One

This year was a wake-up call for me about handling my credit properly.

I bought my first house.

It was a big moment for my family and a big shock for me. I had been paying off my debts and had just recently started to feel really good about my credit score. Then the house buying process started, and I realized I really didn’t know as much as I thought. I felt like the teenager who ends up having to sit at the kiddie table for Thanksgiving— it was a bit embarrassing! 

My realtor actually pulled me aside and told me about an app called CreditWise® from Capital One® (this ACTUALLY happened, guys.) I had heard about it because of my Capital One credit card, but hadn’t signed up for it. That was a bone headed move! Maybe I deserved to be at that kiddie table?!

CreditWise from Capital One is a 100% free and easy app that allows anyone, no matter if you are a Capital One customer or not, to track their Vantage 3.0 credit score (provided by TransUnion.) You’ll also learn more about the factors that impact that score and find helpful ways that will educate you about how to improve, manage and protect it.

CreditWise from Capital One

 

With CreditWise from Capital One I was able to monitor my credit health and manage my credit score through the entire home-buying process. It made me feel like I had better control of my situation and gave me some peace of mind. Everyone tells you that your credit will look great after you buy a house – for me, that wasn’t necessarily the case. It might take a little while. So, my goal for 2017 is to make extra mortgage payments when I can and to keep credit card spending down, closer to or below 30% of my available credit while paying each bill on-time. With CreditWise from Capital One, I feel my goal for this year is not only within reach, but completely achievable.

Be sure to follow CreditWise® from Capital One® on all of their social channels.