It only takes a little while to ruin your credit — but it can take years to repair it. With the rough economy of the past few years, more and more people are learning what it’s like to have to rebuild their credit. People who once had stellar credit now find themselves struggling to raise their scores past the 600 mark. Whether the cause was a delinquent credit card, or even a foreclosure, the result is still the same — low credit scores and few options for rebuilding. One way you can start to rebuild your credit is through the use of personal checks.
Opening and maintaining a checking account is a great first step towards establishing yourself as creditworthy again. When you maintain a checking account in good standing for months and even years, you are demonstrating to creditors that you know how to manage your money. Some of the ways to maintain your account include:
- Making regular deposits into your checking account. If possible, opt for direct deposit from your employer.
- Write a steady amount of checks each month.
- Keep your account balanced — never overdraw your account!
- Keep your balance well above zero.
The direct deposit of your paychecks is something that a possible creditor, such as an automobile loan lender, can look at. They can see at a glance that you have a steady, reliable income each week. This is also an easy way for them to see how much you earn each week and how long you have been earning your income — factors they will consider when deciding whether or not to offer you a loan.
The use of written checks and keeping your account balanced will also help you to learn important money-management skills. These are important to know, especially if your credit score plummeted due to mismanagement. Maintaining your register provides you with a clear record of where and when you spend money, making it easy for you to see where you can cut expenses. It is much easier to keep track of your money through written checks than by swiping your debit card.
Finally, keeping your balance above zero is another way in which you can show potential creditors that you know how to manage money. It also demonstrates that you always have at least some money on hand, making it easier for you to meet monthly payment obligations. Visit www.checkworks.com to order your new checks for your checking account and start rebuilding your credit one check at a time.