Your credit record is your financial ‘selfie’. So, make it your best one because if it’s good, it can get you closer to your lifestyle goals, whether that is buying your dream home, being financially secure for the family, upgrading to a reliable car or covering additional insurance for the furkids.
But first, what is a credit record?
In essence, your credit report shares the full picture of how you’ve handled credit in the past, with you and any potential credit provider.
It is defined as a detailed history of how you manage credit from credit card usage and loans to any payments you’ve made or missed on contracts like your cellphone, insurance policies or store accounts. All this information is consistently collected by credit bureaus which they use to calculate your credit score; they then add your score to your credit history to generate your credit report.
Remember your credit score and report is used by a credit provider when they are considering whether to approve or decline a loan or credit application from you.
So, with this in mind, the path to achieving your goals starts with understanding how to check your credit record which is quick, easy and full of free tools with Finance365.
HERE ARE OUR TOP TOOLS AND TIPS:
1. Tap into ‘365 Degrees’ of support
Your personalised credit dial gives you an up-to-date, comprehensive view of your credit score. It’s a helpful way for you to see how you’re doing financially, particularly as you work towards your goals and plan your path to securing your best financial position.
You can get an unlimited number of free credit reports from us. We not only simplify complex credit reports into clear summaries but can notify you instantly about changes to your credit profile, such as new inquiries and account updates if you register for our free alerts.
Alerts are handy to activate because by catching issues early, you can avoid delays in achieving your lifestyle goals, like getting that dream home or car.
Finance365’s financial wellness coaches are another offering within our ‘365 Degrees’ of support. These credit experts are available to work with you to improve your credit score, giving you help at no cost.
2. Manage your credit to optimal health
There are effective (and easy) steps to take to keep your finances in top health! You can read our full article about this here but don’t forget to:
Review your credit report regularly—Use Finance365’s credit report to keep track of your credit profile, and cross-check annually with credit bureaus to ensure accuracy.
Leverage free alerts—Our Free Alerts notify you of any unusual changes, allowing you to address potential issues before they escalate.
Stay consistent with payments—Late payments can harm your credit score. Our reminders and suggestions help you make sure your paying of bills is always on time.
By understanding how to check your credit record and monitoring it regularly, you can ensure the accuracy of your financial information. This really can make the difference between an average and a good credit score.
On top of this, managing your credit record well doesn’t just give you confidence in your finances—it brings you closer to the life you want. With tools like free alerts and unlimited reports, Finance365 is helping South Africans take charge of their financial journey and achieve their aspirations, for each of their goals—one at a time.
What are your goals? It’s time for your most important selfie! Get ready with your best finance-first smile. Get your free credit report today.
Take the next step by checking your credit score today! Don’t forget to leverage Finance365’s free alert service to stay on top of changes while you improve it.
Whether you’re saving for a new car, planning for a dream home or gearing up for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, Finance365’s unlimited “soft” credit checks won’t impact your score and can help you reach your goals faster.
Start your journey toward better credit right now. Take control with Finance365 and open the door to the future you’ve always wanted.
